Irregular Bleeding - Lincoln,NE

S.,

I, too, was having similar problems with bleeding between periods and I thought I was pregnant or, just like you, that I must have a cyst or something wrong with my uterus/ovary/fallopian tubes/etc. I went to the doctor for a pregnancy test, ultrasound, and blood work and absolutely nothing abnormal showed up. I also became pregnant with my son while on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and I have heard consistently from my doctor and other mothers that women who have gotten pregnant while on the pill usuallly also have problems with cysts on their ovaries - I don't really understand the correlation but apparently there is some. The problem is that EVERY woman gets a cyst on the ovary that ovulates each month and this is normal, what isn't normal is when the cyst grows too large or is filled with blood -- in these cases doctors can often control it with the pill. However, once your body regulates itself to the hormones that the pill (or patch in your case) introduce into your body each month, you may again experience these abnormal cysts. The blood you are seeing may be from cysts that burst -- I have had this happen several times myself. Another sign that this could be your problem is if you can feel yourself ovulating - in other words if you get minimal cramping or uncomfortable feeling similar to your period but not as severe a couple weeks after your period, when you are not bleeding. My doctor told me that only 5% of women feel ovulation, but that statistic also ties in to the cysts and irregular bleeding. Sorry this is so long, but I don't think there is sufficient information out there about these kinds of issues and most doctors aren't either open enough or informed enough to discuss with their female patients. I'm sure you may be able to find some more info on the internet but be careful what you read because it often can scare you more than it does good. Hope you figure out whats going on and who knows it could be something completely different!! :)

I had irregular bleeding in February, when my youngest was 17 mos. And like you I had had a abnormal cervical call issue (precancerous cells), although mine was twelve years ago. I had had a surgical LEEP then, but this past February I was diagnosed with slight inflamation of the scar tissue where the LEEP had been and was given an antibiotic and a topical gel to help clear it up. It could be a slight infection or iritation at the site of your biopsy. Your birth control patch may also be the cause--I know that if your pill does not give your body enough certain hormones, you can experience breakthrugh bleeding anywhere from mid-cycle to the start of your regular period. I can tell you two things: 1) that after having a child, your "normal" period changes and 2) that midcycle bleeding is never normal and should be discussed with a doctor. It's probably nothing, but I personally would rather have a doctor set my mind at ease. Good luck!

Have you taken any kind of diet pill or something like that because when I was on birth control I noticed whenever I would take diet pills I would spot or break through bleed.

I"m 38 and have a similar story. My advise is to go to the Dr. Don't mess around with waiting, it is better to be safe than sorry and if 'all' that you are is pregnant, it will be less stress on your baby. It's probably a side affect of your biopsy and that was my diagnosis, they re-cauterized and I was good to go.
J.

I had break through/spotting on the patch too. My doc gave me some estrogen pills to thicken things up for the rest of my pack of patches. After that I went back to a normal birth contronl pill and off the patch (since I had to take a pill any how Lol)

S.- I would be feeling the same way you are at this point, so don't apoligize! I would keep positive and research online about the patch you are using, and then contact your doctor to set up an appointment for next week. That way you can discuss your worries and have your questions prepared ahead of time. Then you will know for sure what you have to prepare yourself for. Back in 2001, just after my husband and I were married, I had an abnormal pap, and they did a biopsy and found I had precancer cells developing. So, they did laser surgury, outpatient, and found the cells were gone. So, I believe by my faith, my body was healed. It was a scary time, but since then I had not had one abnormal pap. So, if you find out that the bleeding may be related, I would not panic, because they can get rid of it!! Email me if you have any questions about my experience: ____@____.com