text: starting a period? i've been having problems with my period ever since i was 13 (i'm 18 now) where they would start and then i wouldnt have one for months after. about 6 months ago i was put on birth control to try to regulate my periods but sadly i'm one of those people that can't take birth control (it makes me very ill, plus i have ibs so it reacts with that).  so my question is, are there any other methods to regulate a period other than birth control?  i'm seeing my gyno next week but i know he's going to try to put me on birth control again so i'm trying to get around it anyway i can so i don't get sick.   any help would be great, thank you. yup, there are other types of pills that only regulate your cycle.  when i was 18 i went to the gyn because my cycle was 7 weeks long.  he gave me the option of birth control or something else.  i took the birth control because of all the side effects - less cramps, less flow, and no pregnancies.  the other one didn't have any side effects (well, not the ones i wanted, anyway).  i don't remember what it was called, since it was 14 years ago.  when you see your doctor, tell him you want him to find out why your cycle isn't normal.  insist that he do a blood workup on you.  it could be nothing, but it could be something.  insist on finding out!