The Need to Bleed, Pt. 2

I got this comment on an old post called Defending the Need to Bleed. Period. I'm bumping it up because it's important.

I stumbled upon your blog while doing some web research on seasonale, and was very interested in what you had to say.
I am currently very frustrated with my doctors concerning birth control and menstruation. I am 23 years old but have never had a period without medication. My doctors put me on the pill at 17, specifically seasonale. For years I dealt with cystic acne, dehabilitating depression and when I was switched to the generic form of the pill, nausea resembling morning sickness. I went off the pill three months ago due to some health insurance problems, and immediately my skin cleared and I felt a great weight lifted from my shoulders. I felt happier than I had in a long time. My problem now is that I have not gotten a period in 3 months.

My doctors just tell me that acne isn't a big deal, that I made the depression up, and that the nausea will clear up in less than 3 months (3 MONTHS!) and want to start me back up on some form of the pill.
I am now terrified of the hormones, and do not want to put artificial chemicals into my body (I have been a vegetarian for 10 years now). Yet I know that I need to somehow have a period.
I am completely confused and frustrated with modern medicine's options.

If you know of anything that may help me, I would love to hear it. If not, it felt helpful to write my worried down.

Hi, Kristin-

First, it's important for me to point out that I'm not a doctor. Based on what you've said here, I think you might want to consider getting a second opinion before you go back on birth control pills.

Depression can be life threatening. As a 46 year old who still has severe scars from cystic acne, I can assure you that it's a big damned deal. Nausea is never pleasant - I can't imagine dealing with it for months at a time. My alarm bells go off when I hear of a doctor telling a woman she's making up symptoms like depression. You need a physician who listens to you, not one who treats you as an hysteric.

You didn't say why the doctors felt it was necessary for you to be on birth control. I know there are some medications they won't give a woman unless she's on birth control, and that in addition to its intended use, they sometimes give it to women to control ovarian cysts or severe cramps or bleeding. There might be a legitimate need for them in your case. Feel free to write back if you want to share more information.

If you need birth control, consider the combination of foam and condoms - the two together are very effective, they're portable, you only use them when you need them and the condoms help protect you from STDs. In the 21st Century, there's no such thing as a monogamous relationship. Always protect yourself.

As I mentioned before, I'd see a different doctor. There are risks to taking hormones, including an increased tendency to form tumors. If you can get by without them, it would probably be better, but only a doctor can advise you. 6 years is a long time to be on any medication, and you've seen from this break you're taking that you feel better without the drug. Your body may have changed dramatically in those 6 years. I wouldn't panic at this point about not having had a period. It could take a year or more for your cycle to normalize itself, if it ever does. Some women are regular as clocks, some aren't - it's not an indication of how healthy you are. There have also been huge changes in the availability of new drugs and treatments. There might be something new available that hasn't been considered yet.

Find a doctor who sees women as people, not problems to be solved. You know your body better than anyone, and Nature often knows best.

Good luck, and do check in and let me know how you are doing.