For the past three months my periods have been really heavy with a lot of blood clots and bad cramps. I'm on birth control and it has helped tremendously with the cramps until these past few months. I've been on the same birth control (Desogen, first the name brand and then the generic form because it's more affordable) since I was 18, a few months shy of 19, and I'm 21 now. My next pap smear is not due until June. I've had a couple repeat paps in the past for being "abnormal" but the second one turns out fine.

Should I be worried about the blood clots and the heavy bleeding? The cramps are bad but not as horrible as they were before I went on birth control. My gynecologist told me at one point to take Advil because it decreases bleeding by 20%. Is what she told me true? I cannot tell one way or another if taking Advil helps. I just really want some relief. I am unable to sleep well at night and the days when I'm on my period seem to drag on forever. At this point the last day of my period cannot come soon enough.