His and Her Health

I’ve been taking ortho novum 777 for over 10 yrs. My periods started to get shorter and shorter, and now they only last 24 hrs. vs. 5 days when I first started taking them. <P>They took my blood and found my hormone level is almost as low as a man (post-menopause) on the chart.<P>My doctor told me to stop taking the birth control pills and begin Estrace for just a couple of months, hoping this treatment would boost my body/hormone level to wear it’s supposed to be again, and then start back on the birth control pills again like I was after the 2 months, because I’m only 34 yrs. old…give me a break!<P>Well, when I faxed him the side effects for Estrace he said he never heard of it having those effects or the need to take something in addition with the Estrace if you have an intact uterus, and now he says for me not to take anything for the 2 months, and after that come in for a pap.<P>I’m so confused now. Why did it take my concern and research to change his mind about me being on the Estrace? Why a pap and not another blood test (hormone level test)?<P>I am so scared now because obviously he’s incompetent when it comes to this and I am totally freaked out now and I can’t sleep.<P>What do you think is happening to me?<P>Pls respond asap! I’m desparate!<P>Thx,<P>Sherri<BR>

All hormonal birth control methods, by definition, change your hormone levels. You didn't say what hormone was as low as a man's (there are several hormoness, but I am assuming estrogen. Oral BC's shouldn't lower estrogen levels like that--it's not, as far as I know, one of the known side effects.<P>Being "just 34" really has little to do with it. I am perimenopausal (i.e., just entering menopause) at age 31. It sounds like you may be hitting menopause early, though I obviously have no way to verify this. Oral BC's are often used to help with this, but in your case don't seem to be doing much.<P>First, I'd definitely switch providers. If your doctor didn't give you a clear reason why he'd do a pap instead of bloodwork, he's not being very concerned with your well-being. As far as needing to provide your own research, you should be forwarned that you may need to do this a lot. Many providers aren't knowledgable about many things, and it falls to the patient to look to their own care. A huge pain, of course, but *many* of us on this board have had this experience.<P>Your new provider should do new bloodwork, and a complete physical. There are other possible causes of low estrogen that should be looked at, and maybe a new perspective will help. <P>Good luck on your journey.

I am having a problem with spotting when taking birth control. I have been on the pill since 1986 because I wouldn't have periods. Everything was fine until I was diagnosed with cervical cancer two years ago. Since then every birth control pill makes me have cramps three out of the four weeks on the pill and spot until the last week. My Gyno can't seem to find out what is wrong...

Spotting on ocps (birth control pills) is common. The evaluation includes a careful pelvic exam- to confirm the bleeding is coming from the uterus, as well as to rule out other pelvic pathology, like ovarian or uterine growths, and tests for infection and cancer. Often, the bleeding is due to not taking the pills on time, or missing days altogether. If all this has been eliminated, and no improvement comes with changing pills, we'll often look into the uterus with a "hysteroscope" (minor surgery), to look for polyps or fibroids within the cavity.
One of the good things about the pill is it's ability to lower cancer risk of the uterus and ovaries- an effect which lasts for up to thirty years.
Keep going back to see your doctor until this is resolved, and good luck.