Not sure what to think...

[melly11]

I've been on birth control for quite a while now, but this last month something weird has happened. I have been spotting every day during the 3 weeks my period shouldn't be there. I started taking the sugar pills yesterday and immediately the spotting stopped and there has been no period yet. I'm very confused as to why my cycle is so messed up. Nothing like this has ever happened before. I know I should see my doctor, but I can't get in for an appointment for a while. My body does seem to be a little stressed lately...I thought that maybe it was because I was getting over the flu. My sister mentioned to me that irregular spotting can be a sign of pregnancy. Maybe it wasn't the flu? I have never heard of this.... anyone? If anyone could shed some light.... or give some suggestions. Worried/confused.

[Hope75]

Hi There,

 

Yes some women have some spotting during early pregnancy when the embryo is attaching itself to the endometrial lining.

 

Have you had unprotected sex? Is there a chance you could be pregnant?

 

It wouldn't hurt to take a test to see- as there is a chance of pregnancy while on the pill.

[SapphireNoir10]

Did you throw up when you had the flu? This can cause the pill to get out of your system.

 

Just take a pregnancy test. I've had a little bit of spotting before then had my period and been fine and definatley not pregnant! But its better to be safe.

[SapphireNoir10]

I found this on what can cause spotting

 

Other suggestions if spotting continues:

All these suggestions and ideas listed below are to help you make it through the first six months of continuous pill use. Most women will have significantly less bleeding or spotting after six months. Keep a menstrual diary so you can learn what triggers a bleeding episode for you. Remember all women are individuals. You can learn about how you metabolize your pill and what works with your body.

 

 Alcohol: Drinking alcohol keeps your liver busy detoxifying the alcohol so your hormone levels, especially estrogen, can be higher for a few days. If you drink everyday, even a glass of wine, your body could be used to the alcohol, so if you stop drinking, your estrogen levels may drop and trigger spotting.

 

 Tobacco: Smoking can increase your metabolism of estrogen and result in lower levels of estrogen. If you smoke you now have another reason to quit or at least greatly reduce the amount you smoke.

 

 Other medications: Many medications, for example antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, and even herbal drugs like St. John’s Wort, can change the amount of the pill hormones absorbed by the stomach and the metabolism of these hormones. It is very common to have some spotting with a new medication or a change in dose of medication. Sometimes these medications can actually decrease the pill hormones so much they become less effective at preventing pregnancy. thereforeeee, it is important to tell your provider about all the medications you are taking.

 

 Time of day and stress can affect your hormone levels. The progesterone receptors in the uterus look a little like cortisol receptors, so it might be possible that increased stress can trigger a change in progesterone activity. Taking the pill at night, before bed, could make the hormones peak when the cortisol levels are at nighttime levels and this could affect the activity of the hormones. Also, at night, the pill does not have to compete with food in you stomach to be absorbed. So, if you are having persistent spotting you could try switching the time of day you take your pill. However, you can expect some initial spotting with any change in the usual time you take your pill and it may take two weeks for your body to equilibrate to the new pill taking time.

 

 Diarrhea or vomiting: Anything that makes the pill go through your system too fast can make the pill not work as well because it was not absorbed or, worse, if it is lost in the vomit.

 

 Altitude: Some women report spotting when they take airplane trips or climb mountains. It could be the change in air pressure, just going to a new time zone, or even a change in your sleep patterns. If travelling in a different time zone, you should attempt to take your pill at the time based on your normal time zone.

 

 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like Naprosyn, Aspirin, or Ibuprofen can decrease period bleeding and menstrual cramps, because they lessen the chemicals that cause period bleeding and decrease irritation in the lining of the uterus. Stop using them when your spotting stops. If your spotting continues after one week, you should call your provider, you may need a higher dose and your provider can give you a prescription. You should not use these drugs for more than 1-2 weeks or they could hurt your liver or kidneys.

 

 Vitamin C, 1000 mg, taken with your pill can help increase estrogen absorption for some women, so you should try this if the spotting has gone on for more than five days. However, you should stop taking the high dose of Vitamin C either when the spotting stops, or after a week if the spotting hasn’t stopped. If you take it for too long, your body gets used to that large amount of Vitamin C, so that if you don’t take it, you will then have a drop in estrogen levels and start spotting again!

 

 Grapefruit juice contains a chemical that slows estrogen metabolism if the pill is taken with a glass of juice. More estrogen may be available to your body to stop the spotting

[melly11]

Thanks for the replies... still not what I would consider a period, but I started spotting again today. I guess there's always that scary chance...a risk you take. I'm just nervous about taking a test even though in the back of my mind I don't think I am.

[southerngirl]

Ahhhh just take the test. It will give you peace of mind. If the spotting is not normal for you, you should check with your doctor. This could be an unpleasant side effect of the birth control you are taking, and maybe they can switch your prescription to something else.