I'm 20, and started my period when I was 13, I've always had problems with them from the start I used to get really heavy ones, then really light ones but the biggest problem is the irregularity. Sometimes it can be as little as every 9 days, in which case because mine last for 7 that means 2 days off between another period. However sometimes its can be 56 days (thats unlikely but has once been that long) its usually somewhere between 8-17 days. I've always dealt with it, but now its bugging my because I'm in a steady relationship where we may become sexually active soon and its going to affect that majorly.

If I went to the doctors and got the contraceptive pill would this sort both my issues, for child birth control and irregular periods?

Basically I know nothing about the pill other than you take it for 21 days then 7 off. If I were to start it for example on Monday and took it for 21 days, would I not bleed during those 21 days? Or does it take a while to settle into a pattern? Also during the 2 days off I presume there is no birth control effective? Not that I would plan on having sex during my period.

Does the pill help to make periods lighter at all? Also if I was to come off it after a while, would my periods remain regular or is irregular periods something you have for life? I do have a very healthy, balanced diet, I drink no more than 1 or 2 cups of coffee a day, I get enough exericse, I do worry, but I'm not sure that in itself would effect it!

Thanks for your time and help guys

The pill is known to help people get lighter periods and would help regulate periods. If you got off it, the period would do whatever nature lets it do.

Birth control pills can be used to prevent pregnancy, to control cycles, some are even approved to help with PMS and acne. When starting the pill you may continue to have irregular bleeding, especially so for the first few months. And not all pills are on a 21/7 cycle. Some of the newer ones are for extended periods of time--some 24/4, 12 weeks on and one off or the newest is continuous. So in theory there would never be a period. Although with all of the extended pills it may take a bit longer to get used to them and to have your uterus adjust. The pill has no lasting impact on your cycle. Once off them you are likely to go back to your irregular cycles. But unless there is a medical reason to not be on the pill and you are not desiring pregnancy now, stay on them.