i am 53. i started to have heavy long periods when i was 38. i have been on low dose birth control since . i had it down to 1/4 of a pill for a long time, all fine. every time i try to get off pills it starts back up in a month or so after stopping pill. tried 3 or 4 times in past.. i did have a ultrasound and have fibroids and a ovarian cyst this was 3-4 years ago. my doc. ( P.A.) says i have to get off the bc pill to go thru menopause. i can not handle the bleeding with my job and lifestyle. i am out in the car running to other peoples homes all day and sometimes to not have acsses to the home. also i'm up all nite dealing with "overflow". this sucks !! can i just be on the pill for the rest of my life ? i have insurance but 10,000 deductible so an operation will be a last resort and will bankrupt me.