Can DD's period affect my birth control...?

[pigeonp]

I've noticed that since my DD (11) has started her period, I've had bad cramps and bleeding whenever she is menstruating, despite having a Mirena coil. I've had very mild occasional cramps/bleeding on the Mirena before she started her period, e.g. when we've had female friends to stay for long stretches of time, but never like this!

Does anyone know if I should be concerned that this could have an impact on the effectiveness of my birth control?? I am not planning on a pregnancy!

*posted this in the Teens topic too but thought this topic might reach more of the right responders!

Sorry, what exactly do you think could be happening?

Womens cycles can sync when living together but no, it won't affect your birth control.

They did studies where they stated women who lived together periods and menstrual cycles where linked. When they looked at the data properly they saw there is no link. (I actually took part in study one decades ago.)

The OP is on birth control so relying on hormones she isn't producing herself so why does she think there is a link.

I don't believe there's any real scientific evidence behind women's cycles syncing just because they live together although it is a popular belief.

@Earwiggoearwiggoearwiggo my questions is whether her hormones could affect mine in such a way that it 'overrides' my birth control. According to the Mayo Clinic the Mirena "thickens mucus in the cervix to stop sperm from reaching an egg or making it fertile. Thins the lining of the uterus and partly stops ovulation". If I am having periods/bleeding when DD is menstruating, could that mean the above are not happening correctly and there is a greater chance of pregnancy? I have looked online but can't find anything about this.

My dd and I haven’t synced and she’s had her period for nearly 10 years.

I have the Mirena and the odd bad month. Could it be sympathy pains ?

No her periods will not affect your coil, I'd have had loads of babies if this were the case. If you think you have a problem with your birth control, go and see your doctor.

@sophi1995 @Reugny there might be no conclusive data about syncing in the overall population, but it seems to happening to me anyway! I'm more interested in whether this will interfere with the Mirena hormones.

Probably best to see your GP if there's a sudden significant change in your periods. It's very doubtful that it's in anyway related to your daughter.

No

I'd be concerned that the link is a red herring; or a bizarre coincidence, and that by focusing on that, you're not investigating what sounds like a concerning change in your periods.

Even in the initial studies that did suggest a possible sync; they found that it didn't apply to women on birth control, and that women not currently having periods were not affected.

Thanks all - I didn't want to waste GP time but you've convinced me to book an appt to see if there's something else going on. Appreciate your help!

No. It can't. Go to the doctor about the change in your periods.

And no, women's periods don't sync. It's interesting mathematically - because women have different cycle lengths over the course of time a group of women will inevitably coincide sometimes, and of course always forget the times they don't. There's a formula to explain it. It's really sad- I so WANT it to be true!! I love the idea of Women's Magic!!

Is your merina due to expire?
Maybe ask the nurse or the sexual health clinic to check it is still in place, in case it has moved .

It may be a coincidence. Contraception only stops undesirable symptoms for a short while in some women.

Agree a trip to the GP is probably good just to be sure. I'd be tempted to try out some ovulation tests as well, just in case!

My daughters periods were at wildly different times when the 2nd one started...now they both arrive like clock work on the same day!

OP I have a mirena too..agree with pp who say any changes are worth checking out. Good luck!