Period FAQs

why am i getting my period on birth control

by Katlynn Pacocha Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Your “period” on the contraceptive pill is actually called withdrawal bleeding. It happens when the levels of hormones in your pills drop. Withdrawal bleeding is usually lighter and slightly different than the period you had before taking the pill.Sep 13, 2017

Full Answer

Can birth control pills affect your period?

Taking birth control pills is an effective wayto prevent pregnancy and treat many medical conditions. Since the pill works by introducing different hormones into your system, it can affect your menstrual cycle. Some women may have lighter bleeding, and others may skip their periods entirely.

How often do you get your period while on birth control?

Your menstrual cycle is hormonally regulated while on the pill, and you should get some type of bleeding about every 28 days. Use this information to keep track of when your period is late so you can report back to your doctor with any concerns. Most birth control failures happen when you have missed two or more doses of pills in a row.

What should I do if my period stops while on birth control?

Contact your doctor with your concerns or take a home pregnancy test to ease your mind. Many women find that their periods return with simple lifestyle changes. When you’re on birth control pills, light bleeding or a missed period may be normal.

Can birth control pills cause spotting between months?

These pills require taking active pills for 3 months in a row and then taking a week of inactive “placebo” pills. Aunt Flo might show up for some spotting between months but is only in full flow for 4 weeks out of the year when you’re taking the inactive pills. This can also happen with injectable birth control methods like the Depo shot.

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Youre Medically Overweight Or Obese

Obesity can affect your menstrual cycle, says Dr. Horton, because larger bodies produce excess estrogen, which can affect how often you have your periods and eventually cause you to stop ovulating regularly.

Reasons For Breakthrough Bleeding Not Related To Birth Control

In some cases, breakthrough bleeding can signal certain conditions or infections such as:

What Others Say: Experience And Advice

In my opinion, having an early period on the pill is normal and it occurs occasionally. The period occurs early sometimes for no actual reason and sometimes if you miss your pill or take it later than you have to. I think that when you are in the middle of using the pill, the body is adjusting to hormonal changes taking place.

You Have An Infection Down There

Vaginal and cervical infections are incredibly annoying for a number of reasons, not least of all that they can cause bleeding outside of your period. Inflammation or infection of the cervix with bacteria such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis can cause irregular bleeding, says Dr. Richardson.

I Have Bleeding During My Active Birth Control Pills Is This Normal

If the bleeding is severe: If the bleeding is heavy enough to fill 1 tampon or pad per hour for 2-3 hours in a row or you are feeling dizzy or lightheaded, we recommend you see your primary care provider or go to Urgent Care to ensure there is not a serious issue going on.

Number : When Do You Get Your Period On Birth Control

So the pill was designed so you’d get your period during the time you take the placebo or “sugar” pills, also called inactive pills. This commonly happens for a week at the end of a standard pill pack.

Possible Reasons For Missed Withdrawal Bleeding On Birth Control

Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Barbara Levy explains why people can sometimes experience no withdrawal bleeding on their pill break:

What Does Your Discharge Look Like When Ovulating

Lots of clear and stretchy, or clear and watery, discharge is common around the time of ovulation. In fact, during this time you may see up to 30 times your normal amount of daily discharge. This egg white discharge is thin and slippery, which is extremely helpful to sperm traveling to the waiting egg.

What Exactly Is Happening My Body Do I Ovulate On The Contraceptive Pill

No. If you take your pill consistently and correctly, you shouldnât ovulate. This is the primary way the pill prevents pregnancy.

Missed Period On Birth Control Pill

Other common questions related to birth control pills are concerns about missed periods. When a woman takes hormonal birth control pills, it is not uncommon to experience a missed or very light period, especially at the beginning of treatment.

Other Ways To Skip Your Period

Taking birth control pills arent the only way to skip your period. Other options include the progestin-releasing intrauterine device , progestin injection , progestin implant , and the combination NuvaRing or contraceptive patches.

Type Of Contraceptive You Use

Some types of birth control are more likely than others to cause breakthrough bleeding. Low-dose birth control pills are commonly associated with breakthrough bleeding, but other types of hormonal contraceptives can also be the culprit.

Does Missing A Period Mean You Are Pregnant

Although you may think you are pregnant when you have a delayed period, it is not always the case. Lack of menses is common in those with ovarian disorders or eating disorders. Periods may also get delayed during traveling and among breastfeeding women .

What Is Birth Control

Birth control comes in many forms. One of the most common is hormonal birth control pills which use various combinations of estrogen, progesterone, or synthetic hormones to prevent pregnancy. You may take the pill every day, with placebo pills during your period receive a shot or utilize some form of implant.

Why Do I Have an Early Period on the Pill?

If you are using oral contraceptives then you should not be alarmed with frequent breakthrough bleeding (vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods, which is a side effect of some oral contraceptives). It usually has a brown color, which is a sign of old blood and is perfectly normal. However, if bleeding does not stop then it is better to visit a doctor and rule out the possibility of infection.

Is it normal to have a brown period?

It usually has a brown color, which is a sign of old blood and is perfectly normal. However, if bleeding does not stop then it is better to visit a doctor and rule out the possibility of infection. Early period on the pill can occur occasionally and it means that there has been a drop in your hormone level. You can continue taking the pill but ...

Can birth control cause bleeding?

You can experience both normal and abnormal vaginal bleeding if you are using any kind of birth control pill. Although the causes are different for different people, they might depend on the kind of birth control pill you are on. Knowing the reason for the vaginal bleeding is essential for deciding whether medical attention is necessary or not. Although early period on the pill can occur, it is a good idea to give a call to your GYN and ask if there is a need for an examination. Heavy bleeding for a long time while being on the pill is definitely a sign that something is wrong.

Does breakthrough bleeding indicate pregnancy?

The actual period comes when you have finished your pills. Breakthrough bleeding does not indicate pregnancy or a medical issue. It is still upsetting and must be discussed with the OB GYN doctor if it continues to happen. The doctor can confirm breakthrough bleeding by performing a simple examination. If breakthrough bleeding is in fact the reason ...

Can you take birth control while pregnant?

You can continue taking the pill but if you wish to remain protected from being pregnant then it is best to make use of condoms too during this period. Call your doctor if the bleeding continues to happen, as you might have to change the birth control pill you are using.

Can you have a period on a pill?

Although early period on the pill can occur, it is a good idea to give a call to your GYN and ask if there is a need for an examination. Heavy bleeding for a long time while being on the pill is definitely a sign that something is wrong.

Can you get STD from unprotected sex?

You can contract an STD if you have unprotected sex with someone who has tested positive for either of these diseases. Vaginal bleeding can also be caused because of other disorders like fibroids or tumor as well. Tumors need to be checked out immediately because it is quite possible that it is cancerous.

Why is it important to take birth control every day?

Missed or late pills are another common cause for breakthrough bleeding . It is very important to take your birth control at the same time every day. This helps prevent breakthrough bleeding (BTB) and ensures maximal pregnancy protection from your birth control (when used perfectly, hormonal birth control is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy!). The better you are about taking your pill at the same time every day, the better it will work. Try setting a daily alarm on your phone to help remind you to take your pill at the same time each day.

How long does it take for bleeding to go away with birth control?

Breakthrough bleeding typically goes away with time and the second cycle is usually much better than the first, but it may take up to 3 full cycles for breakthrough bleeding to go away for good.

Can you switch to another birth control?

If breakthrough bleeding is a persistent issue despite completing a monthly hormone-free interval, it may be time to switch to another birth control. At Nurx, we offer over a hundred brands of birth control. Just fill out a quick survey and our medical team can help you change to another birth control that may cause less spotting. Get started here.

Can birth control interact with birth control?

Some medications may interact with birth control to make spotting more likely. If you’ve started any new medications, make sure they do not interact with your birth control. Also, any time you receive a new prescription, you should ask the prescribing provider if it will interact with your birth control.

Can you take a breakthrough bleeding pack for your period?

If breakthrough bleeding is only an issue when you try to skip periods, it may be a good idea to take each pack in its entirety or completing a hormone-free week to have a monthly period. Some women have breakthrough bleeding for a long time when trying to skip periods while others don’t. It all depends on your body.

How does birth control affect menstrual cycle?

Since the pill works by introducing different hormones into your system , it can affect your menstrual cycle. Some women may have lighter bleeding, and others may skip their periods entirely.

Why does my period start back up?

1. Stress. Excessive stress can affect your mind and body. Too much stress can impair the function of your hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that controls hormone regulation. Discovering the source of your stress and managing your stress levels may help your period start back up again.

Why do you take birth control every day?

Taking your pill at the same time each day helps maintain stable hormone levels in your body. The placebos help you remember to take a pill every day, regardless of the time of the month. The effectiveness of birth control pills is greatly increased with consistent use.

What happens if you skip birth control?

When you miss or skip doses, you may have spotting or irregular bleeding. Since many women end up missing or skipping doses of birth control pills, the overall effectiveness is about 91 to 99 percent.

How to stop your period?

2. Dietary changes. Changing your eating habits and losing weight too quickly can interrupt your menstrual cycles. Low body weight, especially if you’re 10 percent underweight or more , may also stop your body from ovulating and keeping regular cycles.

What are the different types of birth control pills?

There are two different types of birth control pills. The first combines man-made forms of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. The second is a progestin-only minipill.

How to get your period back?

Your doctor can help you address any other factors that may be at play. After you’ve pinpointed the cause, you should be able to get your period back on a regular cycle. You may be able to do this in a number of ways: 1 Make sure you take time to relieve stress. Try breathing techniques, yoga, restorative walks, and even journaling to get at the root of your stress. 2 Eat a healthy diet and work to keep your weight in a normal range. If you suspect you have an eating disorder, tell a friend or your doctor so they can point you to the resources you need to get help. 3 Keep up with regular exercise. Your activity level may seem manageable to you, but see if stepping back a bit helps your regular bleeding resume.

A Code Red For Code Red Rubys Still Mia

If you havent missed any of your pills but your period still stood you up, pregnancy isnt likely.

Spotting On Birth Control: Top 9 Questions Answered

You may experience some spotting while you are on contraceptives such as birth control pills, implants, rings, and injections. In fact, spotting on birth control is quite common. And although you may notice some mild symptoms when this occurs, if the symptoms become severe, it could signal something more serious.

What Are Placebo Pills

Birth control pills contain hormones that reduce your risk of pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening your cervical mucus to make it more difficult for sperm to get through. The hormones also thin the lining of the uterus, making it nearly impossible for a fertilized egg to implant.

Seasonale Seasonique And Yaz

Those arent the names of contestants on Americas Next Top Model but rather popular brands of continuous birth control pills.

When To Talk To Your Doctor

You will need an additional evaluation if you have missed more than three periods in a row and you are not pregnant.

Adjusting To The Pill

Some women may notice minor changes when first starting the pill. These changes are usually greatly improved or go away completely after the first two to three months. Possible changes may include:

Other Options And Risks

Sometimes skipping your period means enjoying your best friends wedding or your COVID-19-friendly vacation that much more. Plus, if you have painful symptoms or excessive menstrual bleeding that interferes with daily life every month, you might like a break from it for a while.

What causes periods to stop?

The most common condition that can cause periods to stop is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What happens if you miss your period?

If you haven’t missed any of your pills but your period still stood you up, pregnancy isn’t likely. It may be the hormones in the pill. If you miss a second or third period, it’s worth it to take a pregnancy test or check with your doctor to make sure everything’s all right down there. Especially if you’re sexually active.

What to do if your period isn't showing up?

If your cycle is usually regular but it’s been missing for a week and you’re wigging out, take a pregnancy test. If you don’t have a baby on board but your period still doesn’t show up next month, call your doctor. If consistently taking a pill each day isn’t working for you, talk to your doctor about other birth control options.

How often do birth control pills run?

Most birth control pills run a tight ship o’er the crimson tide. Hormones are regulated on a 4-week cycle, and you can expect your monthly friend to visit every 28 days.

How effective are birth control pills?

Make sure to start your new pack on time too. If you take your birth control pills SUPER consistently, they’re 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. Being human and sometimes taking the pill a few hours later than usual puts their effectiveness at a more realistic 91 percent.

Why is birth control important?

The whole point of being on birth control is to control the timing of pregnancy.

Can you get pregnant if you miss two birth control pills?

Being late to get your injectable birth control by a day or two can also be risky .

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