Hi all,

I've been reading along for a while, but rarely post anything. I've been doing Atkins since Jan. 20, along with a pretty serious weight lifting and cardio regimen. I don't know exactly how much I've lost, as I know I'm gaining muscle, but I'm feeling good...so that's what counts!

My question is for any women who are LC-ing and are also taking the birth control pill. I've been taking the pill for many, many years, and never spotted in between periods. Last year, I switched to taking 9 consecutive weeks of pills, instead of just three - again, no problems with spotting. However, since starting the LC WOE, I find that my period comes whenever it wants, regardless of the pills! I can't make it through the normal three weeks without spotting, never mind 9 weeks! And when I say spotting, I really mean that my period just arrives out of nowhere, and sticks around for several days- not just a bit of spotting here and there. Has anyone else had this happen when on a LC WOE? If so, have you found anything that helps this to NOT happen?!

Thanks!
Rachel

I am on the patch and have had no issues. Maybe speak with your GYN to see if something else could be the cause???

My doctors changed my pills last year in an attempt to prevent migraines, and since I've been on my new pill there's no predicting when my TOM will hit. It's been that way pre & post LC. Perhaps because you're on 9 week cycles, which isn't natural, that's why you have in between spotting. Weight loss usually causes less bleeding & spotting not more, so I'd ask your doctor. Natural hromonal changes can cause it too. Good luck. I'd avoid NOR-QD, which I'm on, since it never helped my migraines and only made my TOM unpredictable and spotting in between fairly common.
God Bless,
Amy-Lynne

There is a sticky in the newbie's questions section called Hot Links. There are a bunch of links there with helpful information. One is called Ladies Please Read and is all about LC and BC pills.

Beth

I take the Depo shots and normally i don't spot. Whenever i lose some weight i then start to spot but lightly. My only worry is that i'm still losing my hair. After i had my daughter almost 2 years ago and losing weight for almost a year till date its been the same hair loss problem. I don't feel beautiful when i look at my hair, so i wear wigs. My GP and GYN haven't been very helpful.

I think there's a thread about hair loss in the hot links section, too.

--Ruth

I had exactly the same thing happen. I also take my pills for 3 months at a time. I've now been on Atkins a little over 3 months and things seem to have settled down. It can be quite annoying! (as well as embarassing if caught unprepared) I followed the links that Beth suggested and got some peace of mind.

hey teardrop,

how has the bleeding been that you talked about? i am at my 10th week on atkins and i have been having a period every 2 weeks. i am on the pill and have been for 9 years! i have tried atkins before about 5 years ago and the same thing happened--mid cycle bleeding. so i quit cause i was worried. started eating carbs, got fatter, but the bleeding stopped! HELP!

I am gonna talk to a nurse about it today. but i wanted to know what your experience has been so far. Does the bleeding ever stop? and if so, when? Have you added more carbs to your diet? please let me know! i'm desperate for info!

There are a couple threads around about Depo and LCing...

Many have noticed spotting in between periods, and those of us who hadnt had periods since getting on Depo, have noticed spotting.. its really just great.. So dont worry, youre not the only one..

Heres one...
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=40317

and another..
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=126414