My periods have always been irregular; sometimes I will go 6 months in between. I plan on seeing the gynecologist this summer but I know she will just want to put me on birth control. I have heard that there are many negative side effects to birth control so I don't' really want to go that route. I was wondering if anyone knew of something BESIDES birth control that I could take to regulate my periods.

I used to get heavy periods and horrible incompasitating cramps. At one point I decided to look up some herbal ideas to help to alleviate these. I used domn quai (otherwise known as angelica root) and black cohish. The angelica root helped to regulate the cramping and cuase more a more regular contraction of the uterus, and the black cohish allowed for the blood to flow easily. These were taken only during my period as a means to regulate it and make it easier to contend with. Something along these lines may well work for you. The angelica root is often used to induce a period when used adversely to it's proper suggested dosage. If you were to plan it out you may well be able to use something of this nature to pick the dates that you would like to have your period and take them on those days only, then not for the rest of what would be your normal cycle. I had a friend try this and it seemed to work when she was not getting her period due to a medication imbalane. By the way birthcontroll is not such a horrible thing. Discuss your concerns with your doctor. I use the nuva ring, and love it. I have told all my friends, and they started using it as well we all love it. The best part is that it hasn't caused a single one of us to gain abnormal weight.