Hi vickers4. As another member noted, brown blood is old blood, and every doc I've ever seen about blood issues has said that you generally never have to worry about brown blood because it's old and doesn't indicate any current issues. I would call your doctor or your public health nurse (if you have those wherever you are from) or your pharmacist to ask about when to start your pills based on where you are currently at with your cycle. I used to take Ortho Tricyclen and I recall that my doctor was very annoyed with me one time when I didn't explicity follow those instructions. Ortho Tricyclen is a fairly low-dose hormone, but if you have serious concerns that won't go away, you can request a lower dose product. My OBGYN during my pregrancy was an AMAZING doctor and woman, and she seemed convinced that most women should be on these new low dose varieties - I think the one she prescribed for me was called Brevicon or some such thing. Also, if you don't smoke, your risks are hugely reduced for blood clots related to the pill. And I think (but obviously I'm not a medical professional) that risks associated with taking the pill are much greater after long-term use - like 20 years on the pill, esp the same pill. So depending on your age or on how long your doctor says you need to take the pill, you may not have to worry about long term use. Good luck, I'm sure no matter what you decide all will be well!! Caitlin

HI vikers, I have had alot of female problems too! I also am totally freaked out about side effects of meds. I had a problem with bleeding once and they diagnosed me with dysfunctial uterine bleeding. Now again I am not having any periods at all and I swear I just feel like I am going crazy. The last time the dr did tests one of my horemones were elevated because I was not ovulating. I dont know what is going on with me I am too young to have all these female problems. My doctors just dont seem to care what is going on with me because they never do any additional testing. I am going to the obgyn doctor monday maybe they will help me more than the other obgyn I was seeing wish me luck everyone Heather

Just another thing: a doctor once said to me that if you'd have a reminder of the possible side effects of sugar on each sugar product, nobody would even touch the stuff!!! That really made me think. hope

Vickers - I never knew that this whole worrying about meds (and alcohol and smoking, etc. etc. etc.)was a sign of panic disorder. I always thought I was the most reasonable person in the world because I don't have an addictive personality. But maybe we are all addicted to worrying, huh? In your case I would say that usually it's less important in the end what you do than you might think right now. It seems that both would be okay. If it says the Sunday after, then I'd go with that. I wouldn't wait for the next cycle. Who knows what's going to happen then that's going to worry you? I hope you have a doctor you trust. That's the most important thing. And I guess there are hardly any women who have the perfect cycle... hope

Yes, the brown blood is old blood, should be the end of your bleeding. I've had that happen too. I posted previously about progesterone cream, you may want to try to find that thread. It will do the same as the "pill" without side effects. My sis is a chemist for U.S. Chemical in Ohio, and she says that synthetic meds. vs. natural (phyto(plant)estrogens) are simply manufactured with a slight change in molecular structure in order to patent it and make money, since you can't patent a plant. The slight change in structure is what causes the side effects. Native American women used plant estrogens for years, successfully, and I've read that Asian women don't have all the hormone problems we do, because they consume so much soy, which has phytoestrogens. Incidentally, all of your female hormones are produced by the adrenal gland, which as we know, shoots out all that adrenaline when we have panic attacks. Maybe some of your panic is hormone related. It's worth a thought. Best wishes, Cat

As most of you know, I've had a female problem since about January of bleeding pretty much every day. I went to the Gyno finally last month and he said the constant bleeding was because I wasn't ovulating, causing my lining to build up. So, he forced the lining to shed and I had a horrendous, massive menstruation cycle that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy! He did a biopsy that came back normal and a pap smear that did not. I have to see him in two weeks to talk about it. Anyways, I stopped bleeding Monday. Yeh! So, my doctor prescribed Ortho Tricyclen (birth control) to try to get my periods to regulate. He told me to start it Sunday. I was still bleeding Sunday and I seriously thought you aren't supposed to start the pill until your menstruation is over so I didn't even bother picking up the meds until Tuesday. When I was reading the seriously terrifying warnings, risks and side effects phamplet that comes with it, I noticed that it said to start taking it either the Sunday after your period starts, whether you're bleeding or not, or within 24 hours of starting bleeding. What should I do? Should I just go ahead and start taking it today since it's the Sunday after my period stopped or should I wait until my next menstruation? Any advice? Also, I am seriously freaked out about the warnings on these things. I know I need to take it because I need to get this regulated, but I keep thinking is it really worth it?! Do I trade the chance of getting uterine cancer if I don't take it (according to my doctor) for the increased chance of blood clots, heart attack or stroke?! I don't smoke so I know the chances are lower - but crimeny this scares me!! Anybody know what my odds are? Any words of encouragement to make me feel like this is worth it? One more thing...... really gross thing...... since yesterday, I've started noticing brown blood. It's not a lot, it's only on the toilet paper, not enough to show up on a pad. Do you think this is because it's just old blood that built up due to the problems I've been having that is finally able to come out? Sorry everyone for the gross and personal nature of this post. I just need some advice from the women out there. I'm the only woman in my house - two boys and a husband..... :quest: