Bruising on OC? Worried..

AlisonTT · 07-03-2006, 11:50 AM

Hi all..

I had some bruising problems last year while I was on Diane, somehow I hadn't really noticed I didn't have the problem anymore.. Last week I started Yasmin and suddenly the easy bruising is back - the slightest knock and I have painful bruising.. Is it just a coincidence that the problem is back as soon as I start OC? Even though it's a different pill? I seem to get them mostly around my joints.. I knocked my wrist quite gently on the refrigerator door and got a huge bruise.. knelt down on the floor, both knees red/bruised 2 days later.. I don't even remember what I did to my elbow.. yet I knocked below my breast very hard and nothing.. Anyone had anything similar?? I'm supposed to be going to my sister-in-law's graduation tomorrow and I'm feeling too self-conscious about the bruising to wear sleeveless or a skirt.. or to go at all..

tlz769 · 07-03-2006, 02:44 PM

Um, I don't know if this will help but...

I know BCP increase your risk for DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or a blood clot that forms in the veins (usually in your legs). Using BCP & smoking is an even higher risk.

I'm not exactly sure of the mechanism, but because the risk for DVT, it seems to me that BCP would make your blood become thicker & hypercoaguable (more likely for the blood components to stick to each other). So, the fact that you're bruising so easily seems backwards, like your blood is becoming thinner versus thicker.

So, I don't think that this is really helping you, but I wanted to offer what I know. (thanks to nursing school!)
I'm sure you've gone over it about 1000 times, but just wanted to double check that you don't bruise just as easily when you're not on BCP.

Also, the fact that you're bruising simply by being on your knees is concerning. Do you have anemia or any blood issues? Also, that it only happens at the joints is interesting. I don't mean to scare you, but I'd maybe ask my doc about it, and possibly get him to run just a general panel of bloodwork...

Sorry to ramble....but I hope I was able to help a tiny bit...& good luck. Please let me know if anything comes of this, I'm curious.
take care

AlisonTT · 07-03-2006, 04:09 PM

Thanks for that. I thought I'd ask the cysters as it seems odd to me too, I'm a first year med student and from what we've been taught the exact opposite should happen.. I did have mild anemia with my last blood test, but I'd just had surgery. I'm not due to see my Doc for a while yet, I only just had a checkup (the 1 month checkup after my cholecystectomy) and I don't know if I'll be able to get an appointment. The health services for the students aren't so great at the faculty. Can't wait to be at the hospital permanently.. the endos won't know what's hit them!!
I started Yasmin last Thursday on day 1 of AF and that only lasted about 36 hours, even more weird for me as when my AF starts it usually sticks around for a couple of weeks

I'm fairly certain I wasn't bruising like this before then, I'm not completely sure but I think I'd have noticed it? Last year I was having to be VERY careful not to bruise myself, and sometime between then and last week that problem had disappeared.. Now it's back with a vengeance.. my wrist especially is bright red/blue and very sore.. even looks swollen..