Is Pill Only Option for Treating These Symptoms?
Question
Hello! I am 22 years old I have been either pregnant or nursing for four years (2 children). So I had no periods durring that time. Before I had kids my cycles were regular. About eight months ago I resumed my menstrual cycle. My cycles are now usually between 33 and 38 days and most times bleeding lasts up to 10 or 11 days, other times it may only last five or six. I bleed very heavy and pass nickel sized blood clots. I practice NFP charting. I am currently on my period, right before I started I got very nauseous with a headache, my upper back and shoulders are stiff/achey feeling. And I have a pressure feeling in my uterus along with a flutter feeling. My legs ache, my lower back also hurts, and I just generally don’t feel good. I am having the normal cramps but nothing extremely painful. Is this all normal from not having periods for the four years? Or is this something I should have checked out? I went to the doc right after I started having periods again and they wanted me to take birth control to regulate my periods. Because of religious reasons, I refused. Is there something else I can do? Tiffa two
Answer
Last Updated: December 12, 2014
It is unfortunate that this problem and so many others, are commonly treated carte blanche with the prescription of birth control pills. Birth control pills merely unnaturally suppress ovarian function in this case, and so does nothing to diagnose or treat the underlying problem. This problem does warrant at least a basic examination and review of the menstrual charts. If the underlying problem is not identified, it can still most likely be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes. If hormones are still needed despite those changes, they can be used in a more cooperative way than the birth control pill. To get this kind of treatment, you would have to find a doctor with an understanding of this physiology and a philosophy of cooperative treatment. You can look for a doctor at www.canfp.org under “Professional Directory”. If you do not find one there, check the national directories at AAFCP online.
Dr. Peter Sultana
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