Period/Birth Control/ED Question

So here's what's happening:

About 2 months ago, I started using Tri Cyclen Lo.  So far, it's cleared my skin up and helped majorly with my pms. That's the good part.  The bad part is that I've been getting my period starting in the third week of my cycle and then again midway through the fourth week.

This is where it gets tricky.

I'm a university student, living in a house for the first time with 5 other girls.  I also have been struggling with an ED + depression for about 4 years.  Due to stress in the house (namely, another girl who had an undiagnosed ED and refuses treatment) and my inability to disconnect myself from that, plus the demands of 2nd year, I've lost 7 pounds in the last 2 months, going from 104 to 97 (I'm 5'3"). I know this is a problem and I am turning it around - I have my first appointment with a psychiatrist tomorrow.

My real question is: are my messed up periods due to the fact that at this weight, I shouldn't even be getting periods and ergo my hormones are messed up? Should I try a different bc or wait and see what happens when my weight is restored (I know 104 isn't a BMI of 20 so that's not my "goal weight" - i'm not sure where my weight will fall exactly)

Thank you :) 

Periods get messed up because of a lot of things...... being underweight (BMI <20), too-low body-fat, malnutrition, illness, stress, overexercising..... so take your pick which ones you think apply.

I'm glad you're seeing a psychiatrist but, even before you get there, you could try to address the eating problem yourself.  And consider moving to different accommodation.

I was on BC for 6 years straight, never missed a pill, took them at the same time every day; did everything right.  Never missed a period ONCE!  BUT, I was undereating for a lot of that time, am convinved now that I never would have been having periods without BC.  So, for me, even though I was subclinically malnourished (I am assuming), I never realized it because I still had regular periods.  Unfortunately, now trying to get them on my own!

Being on BC can mask symptoms of malnutrition that your body would normally be letting you know.  I wish I had realized sooner!  Good news is that with eating right, and gaining weight, I am confident it will come back, and I will be ok..hope this helps

im sory to hear about the rough time you are having. your bmi is the lower end of a bmi of 17 that is to low. i think this could well be the cause of your lack of periods. good luck with seeing your psychiatrist . be honest with them and use the help and advice they offer i would go go closely on what they , but my guess is if you stay off bc you will get your periods back when you reach a more healthy weight all the best h x

Ahhhh! The exact same thing happened to me when I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I have no idea what it is with that pill, but it is known to cause mid-cycle bleeding. FYI, I was in no way underweight when I was on Ortho. I have another friend who was on it, and experienced the same bizarre bleeding. I asked my gyno, and she took me off of it and put me on the generic form of Yasmin.

I've been on the pill since I was 15. I switched to Ortho from Yasmin at age 22 because I couldn't get the generic for Yasmin at that time, and I was no longer covered under my parents insurance. I had annoying spotting + mid-cycle bleeding the entire time I was on Ortho, even though I took it in a timely manner. As soon as the generic Yasmin became available to me, I switched back. No side effects to date. I'd try using a different pill, and seeing how that works. If the side effects disappear, then you have your answer.

Thanks everyone!

gi-jane: yup a couple of those definitely apply.  I have started addressing the eating problem and am increasing my calories slowly.  As for the different accommodation...unfortunately it's not going to happen this year, but I have made it well known that I will not be returning to the house next year (neither will a few of my housemates if the situation with this girl continues...)

chrissycoff: I know from experience that at the weight I am now, I would not be getting a period if I went off birth control. Thanks to it though, I'm getting 2 a month - i can't win!

tessa: I plan on being fully honest - I have too much to lose! thanks for the kind words and encouragement

aspyxiac: arg! thanks sooo much for the info - glad to know i'm not the only one who's experienced this!

I think for now, I'm going to get my weight restored and see if that helps.  If I'm still getting 2 periods a month at a healthy weight - so long tri cyclen lo and hello yasmin.  I can't afford to spend so much on tampons 

I just wanted to let you know that I had the same problem with irregular periods but I was on a different pill. I can't even remember which one anymore but it was one of the low dose ones. When I was switched to yasmin I started gaining a huge about of weight, like 2-5 lbs a week. I have been off the pill completely for almost two years and I am finally getting a normal cycle again and starting to lose weight. Right after I went off the pill my cycle went completely haywire, causing some really tough times for my husband and I as I would go two months or more without a period. I guess I am just trying to say, be careful with the pill. It can really do some bad things to your body and your doctor may not tell you or admit it was because of the pill. It is a good thing that you are keeping track of these things. I wish I had been keeping a closer eye before it got bad. Best of luck to you!