Hi all. I really mean no disrespect, but I know we're all a bit tetchy about this subject. Please believe me when I say I am just trying to be helpful.

Basically, I have such trouble with my periods I have been on some kind of hormone-based birth control most of my reproductive live, with only 2 long-term breaks. That's from age 15, to now (age 46) and continuing to menopause if possible. One side effect of this type of birth control that is downplayed by most doctors, is, if you can find one that works for you your period will become very light, or stop altogether if you are lucky.

As an aside, I found myself shouting at Dr Laura Shovelhead when a male caller asked about birth control pills for his daughter-the girl had painful menstruation and her physician recommended birth control pills for this condition, and Dr Laura vetoed this because teenagers shouldn't take birth control! What crap.

I hope your ride goes well.