Hi, I now know I was wrong with the above post. You are right about increasing cortisol. I eventually found out that the problem is candida and parasites (pin worms and ascaris) which is caused by hormone imbalance/high cortisol levels - they feed on it. I think my hormones have now stabilised. It probably only took a few months for that to happen but I've been so ill I'm not really sure. I'm now having regular periods again anyway. If you are having problems please look into candida and parasites. I bet they are causing issues for a lot of ladies on hormonal birth control.