Hi Ladies, I haven't been active on here in some time. I got overwhelmed with all the researching and contradicting information out there and decided to take it easy and do what I can do. I had been off birth control since I started worrying about my hair about 2 years ago. I was taking tri sprintec and getting off of it caused a big shed. Things stabalized recently but being off the pill made my cycle extremely irregular and I ended up having to take the morning after pill twice because of condoms breaking. That really messed up my cycle even more.

After doing lots of research and reading "It's Your Hormones" I decided to get back on the pill and chose Kariva. It's one of those recommended that causes the least fluctuation in hormones which I thought would be good for my hair as well as help clear acne. I started my first pack 11 days ago on the first day of my period. I still have my period right now and it is moderate. 11 days and counting of cramps, low energy, and moodiness. My skin is also more broken out than usual. I called my gyn yesterday and her assistant told me unless I have heavy bleeding (1 pad an hour) that it's normal to have irregularity the first couple packs and I should stick it out. However I am getting kind of nervous and feeling really crappy. Basically what I was hoping to get out of the pill was more regular, shorter, less intense periods, acne help, and less hormone fluctuation which would hopefully be good for my hair. So far I am getting the opposite and it doesn't help that side effects listed include hair loss, acne, cramps, - the very things I was prescribed this to help treat.

It's so confusing and I really am convinced that my acne and hair issues are caused by hormonal imbalances so it made sense to me that hormone regulation would help. Maybe it will and this is just the adjusting period. It very well be that I need to wait things out but I wanted to put this out there anyway and see what others have experienced.

Does anyone have any insights on this issue? Thank you everyone in advance for your feedback and wisdom.