Although modern views contraceptives have several varieties according to the method of application and effect, all of them are intended primarily for protection female body from an unplanned pregnancy. Modern pharmaceuticals offer a wide range, among which birth control pills are one of the most popular forms of drugs aimed at ensuring safe sex in relation to pregnancy that is unexpected for both partners.
A feature of some drugs is the presence of certain side effects, manifested in the form of hormonal imbalance, possible disruptions in the menstrual cycle and bleeding of various types. These and other problems create a lot of troubles and uncomfortable sensations, therefore, many women, before using this kind of contraceptives, try to find out by asking questions the degree of safety of this type of contraceptives in relation to the female body and reproductive system and their reliability in use.
Can I bleed from birth control medication?
Almost every woman experiences vaginal bleeding that is not menstrual flow. The reasons why such phenomena occur may differ in their nature, but one of them may be the use of contraceptives, which provoked a short-term hormonal imbalance.
Any bleeding from the vagina that is not associated with the menstrual cycle is a pathology of the intermenstrual period. Too long a period and excessive bleeding after taking birth control pills is one of the signals that requires intervention medical workers in order to clarify the situation to eliminate the causes of the manifestation.
What is the mechanism of action of oral contraceptives?
The main task of oral contraceptives is to inhibit the pituitary system, which simultaneously suppresses the synthesis of FSH and LH, creating a barrier to ovulation. The progestogenic substance included in contraceptives increases the viscosity of cervical mucus, inhibiting the movement of sperm. A change in secretory transformation creates all the conditions that doctors call granular regression, a condition where fertilization is almost impossible. These two processes occur simultaneously, and drugs used to create conditions under which granular regression affects the female body are divided into several types in modern pharmaceuticals for ease of use.
Is it necessary to take a blood test before taking the pills?
The selection of birth control pills is carried out by doctors, who are guided by test results regarding the body’s reaction. One of these tests is blood donation, which includes two types of diagnostics:
- The condition of the body based on a general blood test.
- Determining the balance of hormones (testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, etc.)
If problems arise regarding a negative reaction of the body, or in order to select other drugs, specialists may additionally prescribe blood tests for:
- Blood glucose.
- Determination of organ parameters, especially the liver (protein, albumin, bilirubin).
- For biochemistry to determine the lipid spectrum.
- Determining the intensity of blood clotting.
It is mandatory for a woman who uses birth control pills to protect the body from an unplanned pregnancy to have her blood tested twice a year without prompting from medical workers. This preventive action will make it possible to find out the main changes that occur in her body under the influence of medicinal substances.
Is it possible to have sex if there is bloody discharge from birth control pills?
Bleeding while taking birth control pills indicates a hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body: this can manifest itself in a deficiency of gestagen or estrogen in the OC. Constant discharge between periods requires changing the contraceptive to a stronger substance, then the hormonal balance will be restored and the problem will resolve on its own.
At the time of instability of the hormonal balance, experts advise to refrain from intimacy, since it is not against the background of oral contraceptives that bleeding can be observed, for example, diseases of the reproductive system, or an infection can provoke such a manifestation.
Reasons for the phenomenon
The female body, by its nature, is a well-functioning system in which hormonal levels depend on the period menstrual cycle. The initial phase is characterized by a high release of estrogen, thus preparing the uterus for ovulation, and only then, in the hormonal background, a shift is observed towards an increase in the production of progesterones. The small dosage of hormones that is present in the contraceptive, at the first stage, due to its effect, cannot block the work natural hormones, which is the cause of premature discharge of blood impurities.
Intermenstrual bleeding when taking birth control pills
The scarcity of discharge immediately after taking the drugs and its disappearance after the adaptation phase confirms the correctness of the selection of the contraceptive substance. Presence pain and an increase in the abundance of discharge indicates that the drug is not suitable for use according to its parameters.
- Intermenstrual bleeding
Bloody discharge at the beginning of the menstrual cycle
If the adaptation period is completed, but blood-streaked discharge does not go away and is observed from the very first days of menstruation, this means that one of the hormones is dominant. In such situations, a specialist will advise you to find out which hormone acts dominantly and this will help change the drug to one where this manifestation can be corrected. Most often, the reason lies in a deficiency of estrogen in the drug itself, but experts advise not to start getting used to the body’s strong oral contraceptives.
Blood in the middle of the cycle
As in the case of bleeding at the beginning of menstruation, the reason for the presence of the same phenomenon in the middle of the cycle is a lack of estrogen, a hormone that is included in the drug in a certain concentration. The second factor that can explain the appearance of discharge while taking oral contraceptives is the incompleteness of the adaptation period of the female body.
If bleeding is observed at the very end of the menstrual cycle, the cause may be a lack of gestagen, a hormone that is also found in birth control pills.
Bleeding after stopping pills
Sometimes specialists prescribe drugs with regulatory properties to normalize the female body after taking birth control pills. The reason for additional drug intervention is the occurrence of bleeding during the intermenstrual period. The mechanism of action of birth control pills is based on the suppression of certain processes directly related to hormonal balance; over time, the female body adapts to new conditions and gets used to it. When the effect of birth control pills weakens or disappears completely, everything works in reverse: the reproductive system rebuilds the hormonal balance to its original parameters, and this is what causes slight uterine bleeding.
Other causes of uterine bleeding
Along the way, during the process of taking oral contraceptives, the cause of bleeding may be secondary factors:
- Side effects of other medications taken in combination.
- Smoking. This bad habit negatively affects hormonal balance, inhibiting estrogen production.
- Any disease of the reproductive system and organs, including infectious diseases.
Any changes in the body are a reason to visit a doctor, who will help find out their cause and prescribe appropriate medications to treat the manifestations.
Character of bloody discharge
Non-menstrual discharge mixed with blood may differ in the nature of its manifestations. Experts advise paying attention to the density (viscosity), the abundance of bloody veins and their color. This will help determine the nature of their occurrence and, if necessary, begin treatment of the problem.
Blood smears
Mucous discharge from a woman’s genitals during the intermenstrual period is normal for a young female body. If a small amount of blood is observed in the mucous membrane after starting to take oral contraceptives, when the discharge is “smeared” and external signs everything resembles the beginning of the menstrual cycle, you need to wait a little time, since the body, most likely, has not yet adapted to the new hormonal changes.
These manifestations can be called a normal reaction of the body to the presence of a substance in the drug that does not suppress one of the types of hormones. According to the color format, the discharge may appear light pink or brown; its discharge may not always remain on the laundry, and is only noticeable if toilet paper is used. If spotting is observed 2-3 cycles (months) after starting to use oral contraceptives and the bleeding remains stable, but then stops, the phenomenon is considered normal.
Breakthrough bleeding while using birth control
If breakthrough bleeding is observed after using OCs, this indicates that the endometrium, under the influence of the hormone (progesterone), is not perceived by the uterus due to the small amount (insufficient for uterine bleeding) of estrogens. Bleeding of this kind can also occur while taking other medications. This type bleeding is an undesirable form of manifestation and requires action to eliminate it, both from doctors and the patient herself.
How to stop bleeding?
In cases where bleeding after taking birth control pills appears profusely and the presence of clots is observed, it is necessary to seek help from specialists. If there is no gynecologist nearby, experts advise increasing the dosage of OPS, and instead of one tablet, take a double dose until the bleeding completely disappears. This type of bleeding indicates that the drug was initially selected incorrectly and should be replaced with a stronger one.
You can read about measures to stop uterine bleeding of any etiology in the relevant article using the links below.
Breakthrough bleeding– a condition when spotting appears between menstruation. Any birth control pill will help with this, especially during the first few months of use.
What exactly causes breakthrough bleeding while taking oral contraceptives, it is not always clear. Perhaps the body needs time to adapt to the hormones used in the pills, or perhaps the uterus is preparing to create a thinner endometrial layer.
Besides, breakthrough bleeding may happen if:
- Missed pills
- In parallel with contraceptives, the woman began taking some other medicinal product, for example - antibiotics, or drink various herbal teas, such as St. John's wort, the action of which is contrary to the action of contraceptives, that is, it promotes conception.
- It happened with vomiting and diarrhea, which prevents the body from properly absorbing the contraceptive.
Unpredictable bleeding associated with continuous and long-term use of birth control pills usually decreases over time:
You should also know that:
- Breakthrough bleeding is not a sign that the pills are not working and you should stop using them. This approach will most likely lead to unplanned. So, it is strictly forbidden to interrupt the use of contraceptives on your own.
- Should be trackedbreakthrough bleedingin a calendar or diary. As a rule, those who carefully monitor this phenomenon notice that the bleeding becomes shorter and shorter over time and gradually disappears.
- It is worth consulting with your doctor about the possibility of taking breaks from taking contraceptives.. If a woman has been taking the pill for at least 21 days, her doctor may suggest a three-day break to wait for her period before starting the 21-day contraceptive cycle again.
- Women who smoke should try to get rid of this bad habit.. It has been proven for sure that nicotine promotes various types of bleeding.
Note: If these tips don't help, and breakthrough bleeding becomes increasingly severe and prolonged (more than seven days in a row), you should consult a doctor. Most likely, the doctor will look at other causes of breakthrough bleeding, perhaps such as infection, etc. An alternative method of contraception will be recommended depending on the circumstances.
Evgenia Konkova, a specialist on modern hormonal contraception, answers your questions.
The most common and unpleasant side effect of taking any birth control pills is spotting. Bleeding is most often observed during the period of adaptation (addiction) to taking birth control pills.
In approximately 30-40% of women, spotting disappears in the first three months of taking birth control pills; in 5-10%, the adaptation period can last up to six months. However, there are about 5% of women in whom spotting occurs even after the end of the period of addiction to the drug, repeated replacement of which does not lead to the disappearance of discharge.
So, let’s figure out why bleeding occurs and stains our underwear at the “inappropriate time.” The fact is that a woman’s menstrual cycle is a complex of successive hormonal changes with significant fluctuations in hormone levels in the blood. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, more estrogen hormone is produced. Its peak level is observed on the days of ovulation, and then, if fertilization does not occur, the amount of estrogen in the blood gradually decreases, but the level of progesterone increases, which “prepares” the endometrium for rejection. The shedding of the endometrium is menstruation.
It turns out that by nature, a woman’s body secretes different doses of hormones in different phases of the cycle. And all modern birth control pills contain very low doses of hormones, and at first this dose may simply not be enough to “block” the natural level. Therefore, it takes some time (adaptation period) so that the body can get used to low doses of hormones and not reject the endometrium ahead of schedule (before the end of the package of your birth control pills).
If, when you first take birth control pills, the bleeding is really spotting, and a few panty liners a day are enough for hygiene, then you don’t need to do anything, the body will handle it itself. Blood smear is not dangerous and does not harm health. Its presence in the first three months of use does not require discontinuation or replacement of the drug. Against the background of these secretions, the contraceptive effect does not decrease; Most importantly, do not forget to take birth control pills regularly and on time.
ATTENTION!!!
If the bleeding does not subside, but becomes more abundant; If there is pain in the lower abdomen, you should immediately consult a doctor!
Sexual life with bleeding
Many women often ask whether it is possible to lead sex life in the presence of blood smear? Adaptive bloodsmearing is not a contraindication for intimacy if both partners comply with hygiene rules. Men are often afraid of the sight of blood, so try to explain to your partner that you are not sick. Read this article to him, buy new dark bed linen and don’t let anything stop you from enjoying each other’s company.
If the bleeding doesn't stop
It is very important to remember that there are no good or bad contraceptives, there are drugs that are suitable or not suitable for a particular woman. What should you do if you experience bleeding even after the end of the adaptation period?
- Blood stain at the beginning of the package
If, after the adaptation period, spotting still occurs at the beginning and in the middle of taking the package, this indicates an insufficient dose of estrogen in the drug; tablets with a higher dose of estrogen should be selected. - Blood stain at the end of the package
If, after the adaptation period, it smears from the middle and at the end of the package this is a lack of the gestagen component, you should select a drug with a different gestagen in the composition. - Heavy bleeding
If, while taking birth control pills, the discharge is more profuse than spotting, similar to menstrual this indicates breakthrough bleeding. This unpleasant phenomenon occurs due to the fact that in the process of adaptation of the uterus to a new hormonal state, accelerated atrophy of the endometrium occurs under the influence of active progestogens, and the estrogen component in modern drugs contains too little to perform a hemostatic (hemostatic) function. As we said above, in a woman’s natural cycles, towards the end of menstruation, the level of estrogen in the blood increases, after which the endometrial rejection ends, menstruation stops and the bleeding goes away (which does not always ideally happen when taking synthetic hormones).Also, breakthrough bleeding can be a consequence of a violation of the regimen for taking contraceptive drugs (missing the next pill), diarrhea or vomiting (impaired absorption of the drug), taking antibiotics, drugs that affect the central nervous system, herbal remedies containing St. John's wort, and against the background of prolonged dosage regimens (63 -7-63).
Of course, in such a situation, it is best to consult a doctor. But, unfortunately, not every woman has the opportunity to promptly visit an experienced gynecologist. If breakthrough bleeding occurs, the main thing is not to panic! Experts usually recommend doubling daily dose of the drug taken (1 tablet in the morning and 1 in the evening), and continue until the bleeding stops, and then return to the usual dose of 1 tablet. per day. Since the total dosage cycle should not be shorter than 21 days (for Jess this is 24 days), it is necessary to purchase another package of the drug in order to take additional tablets from it. For monophasic drugs, the composition of all tablets is the same, so you can take tablets from any cell (for Jess active tablets).
ATTENTION!!!
You should not stop taking birth control pills in the middle of the pack on your own, otherwise this will only increase the bleeding. Be sure to consult a doctor to monitor the situation.
The use of oral contraceptives (OC) is associated with colossal hormonal changes, affecting not only the female reproductive system, but also the entire body. An important informative sign of how it is tolerated medicine, there will be vaginal discharge.
Let's consider which of the discharges when taking birth control pills are normal, and which ones signal that it is time to go for a consultation with specialists.
Pharmacological aspects
By changing hormonal levels, they suppress ovulation and increase the viscosity of secretions (mucus) in the female genital organs, due to which sperm restrict their movements and, accordingly, are not able to fertilize the egg.
The use of such drugs is indicated not only for contraception, but also for a number of gynecological diseases accompanied by menstrual irregularities.
Interesting information!
The use of such drugs for the purpose of normalizing the natural menstrual cycle is very doubtful - in the instructions of most OCs this is not an indication for use, which means that officially confirmed studies on this point have not been conducted.
As experienced pharmacists say: do not believe advertising, believe what is written in the instructions...
The prescription of tablets should be preceded by a comprehensive medical examination, including tests for the content of sex hormones and some other types of laboratory tests that will eliminate contraindications to taking medications (for example, a tendency to form blood clots).
But as practice shows, many girls and women begin to use hormonal contraception without screening.
But this measure allows you to select a contraceptive that is as close as possible to the natural level of hormones, which reduces the likelihood of side effects such as bleeding.
Photo: Criteria for selecting birth control pills
OK are prescription drugs, so do not be surprised if the pharmacy asks you to present a prescription. To avoid controversial situations, ask your doctor to write out a prescription or give you a stamped prescription sheet (as is usually issued in paid clinics).
Taking medications:
- In the first month, you start taking contraceptives on the first day of menstruation; subsequently, you need to take pills every day, preferably at the same time.
- One package is designed for one cycle (many manufacturers additionally produce economical packages containing a course for 3 cycles).
- At the end of one cycle, a break is taken for 7 days, during which monthly cleansing of the uterine cavity occurs, which is accompanied by brown discharge similar to blood.
What is normal
During the period of adaptation to hormonal drugs (usually first three months), intermenstrual bleeding may occur.
Photo: Brown discharge on the gasket Typically they are:
- brown or red;
- breakthrough or spotting;
- meager.
This secretion is explained by the restructuring of the body.
Under natural conditions, the menstrual cycle is regulated by estrogen and progesterone. Their quantity is higher than in OK, so the body will need time to adjust to new, lower doses of hormones. This does not require replacement or discontinuation of the drug.
But if vaginal discharge is prolonged or severe, you should consult a doctor.
Statistics say that such bleeding in the first months occurs in 40% of women who took hormonal contraceptives, in 10% the adaptation period extended to six months.
It is possible to reduce the likelihood of acyclic (intermenstrual) secretion by strictly following the rules specified in the instructions for the medicine.
- There are treatment regimens that allow adjust the day of menstruation(new packaging is accepted immediately after the old one is finished). This may contribute to the occurrence of premenstrual secretion.
- A similar situation may arise when changing birth control pills when immediately after one package they start taking another drug, without a break (breakthrough bleeding in the first days of taking a new drug).
If the discharge is profuse, prolonged, foul-smelling, in the form of clots, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and a sharp deterioration in health, you should immediately consult a specialist.
White discharge (leucorrhoea)
Photo: Cervical mucus at different periods of the cycle Whites are natural vaginal discharges of white or yellow color that help cleanse the mucous membrane.
Throughout the menstrual cycle, their quantity and consistency are not the same. During ovulation and on the eve of menstruation, leucorrhoea is released into the more, than usual. This is due to the body’s preparation for the upcoming menstruation.
As mentioned above, the contraceptive effect is associated with hormonal changes, including those affecting the secretions of the cervix, therefore such means can change the nature of leucorrhoea, making it thicker and more abundant.
Such symptoms are not a pathology and do not require contacting a gynecologist.
But if itching and discomfort occur, bad smell, then it’s better not to delay going to the doctor. This may be a sign of infectious and inflammatory processes in the genitals or a violation of the vaginal microflora.
Secretion at different periods of the cycle
The nature of the discharge may vary depending on the phase of the cycle:
| Cycle phase | Characteristics of discharge |
| During ovulation (mid-cycle) | Transparent (due to increased hydration of the vaginal walls). If dark discharge appears, this indicates a deficiency of gestagen or estrogen. Such symptoms require discontinuation of the pills taken and the prescription of new ones, with a higher concentration of active substances. Microdosed OCs (so-called mini-pills), which include:
- sometimes accompanied by blood associated with the release of the egg from the follicle (pink discharge). This indicates that ovulation has occurred and there is a high risk of getting pregnant, despite OK. This is not a pathology, but such a symptom suggests that the drug does not do its job. |
| 6-12 days after ovulation | Bleeding may indicate pregnancy (if the sequence of taking the pills was not followed). |
| Before menstruation (at the end of the package) | There may be a thick, brown smear that occurs due to a lack of progesterone, which promotes the onset of menstruation (in this case, endometrial rejection does not occur, but a delay occurs). |
| Within a few days after menstruation (first tablets in the package) | Blood clots may appear, indicating cleansing of the uterus. The reason for this phenomenon may be a lack of estrogen, which restores the mucous layer of the uterus. |
Mini-pills can cause false periods, the cycle is disrupted, and consequences arise that are very difficult to correct later. Such symptoms require consultation with a gynecologist and replacement of the OC with a drug containing more estrogen.
Microdosed contraceptives are most suitable for young girls (under 25 years old).
Why does heavy bleeding occur?
Heavy discharge while using birth control is a serious reason to consult a doctor. Heavy bleeding when taking birth control pills (menorrhagia) require emergency medical attention.
Several factors contribute to the development of a dangerous symptom:
- The regimen of use is violated - 2 tablets were taken at once or, conversely, a dose of OK was missed (hormonal levels are disrupted);
- Smoking (interferes with the absorption and production of estrogen);
- Diseases of the reproductive organs;
- Insufficient absorption active substances from pills for vomiting and diarrhea;
- Incompatibility with other medications when used together (this is discussed in more detail in the instructions for the medications).
But there are times when it is impossible to get an appointment with a gynecologist. What to do?
You cannot stop taking OCs abruptly, otherwise menorrhagia will only worsen. In addition, this will negatively affect the level of hormones in the blood.
In this case, to stop bleeding, it is recommended to take a double dose (2 tablets) in 2 divided doses. This dosage regimen is followed until the discharge stops, after which they return to the old algorithm (one tablet once a day).
You will need to purchase another package of contraceptive so that it is enough for the entire cycle.
If the drug is monophasic, i.e. All tablets contain one dosage of hormones; you can take any tablet.
The exception is three-phase OK (Tri-regol, Triquilar), containing three types of tablets in one package. Then they accept exactly those that correspond to a specific phase.
According to some reports, drugs based on levonorgestrel contribute to the occurrence of bleeding precisely when taken for a long time (about six months) and the drug must be replaced.
Blood after missed pills
There are times when a woman misses taking a contraceptive on time (more than 12 hours late). This reduces the contraceptive effect, therefore, additional precautions are required in the following days to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
Sometimes such an oversight results in spotting vaginal discharge, which most often occurs when medication is missed in the second phase of the cycle, when the endometrium begins to prepare for the next menstruation.
A bloody secretion indicates that withdrawal syndrome is developing, one of the side effects of hormonal contraception.
In this case, further taking pills is pointless; a four-day break is recommended (taking into account the missed pills) and then start taking a new package. The remaining tablets should not be taken into account.
Cancellation of hormonal contraception
Photo: Brown discharge when stopping OK With long-term use, refusal of tablets should be consistent, over several cycles. For this purpose, medications with lower hormone content are prescribed. This will help avoid serious side effects.
Usually, bleeding is observed a couple of days after stopping the drug. Its intensity and duration may vary. Most often it is a brown mass that is released over the course of two weeks.
This phenomenon is associated with changes in hormone levels. Its normalization will occur gradually over several months. Menstruation from scanty brown discharge will eventually become traditional - the same as before taking the pills.
However, it is recommended to perform a pregnancy test on the first day of your pseudomenstrual period to rule out the possibility of uterine bleeding during pregnancy.
If you have regular, prolonged discharge while you are discontinuing OCs, you will need to visit a specialist to rule out the possibility of a serious pathology.
Discharge after taking emergency contraception
Emergency contraception includes hormonal drugs based on:
- levonorgestrel (Postinor, Escapelle),
- mifepristone (Ginepristone, Zhenale, etc.).
The contraceptive is taken within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse at any time of the menstrual cycle, including if OCs were missed. Contraceptive effect due to changes in hormone levels and a further obstacle to implantation (introduction) of the embryo into the wall of the uterus.
The use of such drugs is a hormonal shock for the body and can contribute to both the early onset of menstruation and, conversely, the development of bleeding regardless of the menstrual cycle.
Menorrhagia is normal and goes away on its own after some time.
The alarm should be sounded in cases where a woman is worried about heavy painful bleeding, abdominal pain, or deterioration in her general condition. These symptoms indicate that you need to visit a gynecologist who can rule out the possibility of uterine bleeding.
Breast discharge
Photo: Breast discharge during pregnancy Women's breasts are very sensitive to change hormonal levels. When using OCs, pain and swelling of the mammary glands and discharge from the nipples may occur.
It is important to exclude the possibility of pregnancy, which is accompanied by the formation of colostrum.
The condition of the breast returns to normal during the adaptation period; if this does not happen within six months, a contraceptive replacement is required.
If a woman complains that she has yellow or dark discharge from her breasts, she cannot do without consulting a doctor, because such discharge may signal diseases of the mammary glands.
Opinion of women and specialists
Most women complain that contraceptives are prescribed without testing hormone levels; doctors simply give out a name, or even several, so that the patient can choose the drug herself. This, of course, is a problem for domestic medicine. As a result of such negligence, Negative consequences for the reproductive system and the entire body as a whole. At best, this will be adaptational discharge, at worst - uterine bleeding and other dangerous pathologies.
If the appointment of OK was preceded comprehensive examination, the prescribed tablets are well tolerated, acyclic bleeding occurs rarely.
According to the experience of medical specialists, bleeding most often occurs when taking earlier contraceptives (Regulon, Novinet, Marvelon) or microdosed tablets (Laktinet, Charozetta, Logest, Lindinet 20, Dimia, Jess, Mercilon).
A common cause of discharge is non-compliance with the recommendations specified in the instructions and self-medication, when a woman begins to take OK on her own after watching enough advertising or listening to advice from friends.
For women who find it difficult to regularly take pills at the same time, gynecologists recommend hormonal contraception using patches or the Nova-Ring vaginal ring, which do not require daily use.
Bleeding while taking birth control pills can normally occur in the first months after starting to use these drugs. If it is chosen correctly for a woman, then after a while the bloody spotting will stop, and only regular menstrual-like discharge will occur. In cases where the latter persist for more than three months, the doctor will determine the cause and select another contraceptive.
If heavy bleeding appears in the middle of the cycle, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Discharge while taking birth control varies. They occur both normally and indicate that the chosen drug is not suitable for the woman.
Adaptation bleeding
The maturation of eggs, ovulation and endometrial shedding during menstruation are regulated by hormones of the female reproductive system. In the first phase of the cycle, the action of estrogens predominates, which stimulate follicle maturation. A mature egg is released from the follicle in the middle of the cycle, i.e. ovulation occurs. In the second phase, the level of estrogen and progesterone is increased, which prepares the walls of the uterus for possible implantation of the embryo.
The concentration of sex hormones in birth control pills is always less than the content of these active substances in a woman’s body. Therefore, it takes some time to adapt to the effect of the medicine used.
Normally, there may be spotting for 2-3 months when taking contraceptives. They stop on their own after getting used to low doses of hormones. If the bleeding is insignificant, and the use of several panty liners is enough to maintain hygiene, then no additional actions need to be taken. Brown discharge is this color because a small amount of blood mixes with vaginal mucus.
Discontinuation of the drug or replacement with another during this period is not required. The contraceptive effect is not reduced if the drug is taken on time.
When bleeding does not stop, becomes profuse and is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, you should immediately consult a doctor.
In every fourth woman, adaptation bleeding persists for 3-6 months. If after this period of time they do not disappear, and attempts to select another OC are not successful, then this method of contraception should be abandoned.
Menstrual-like discharge
It should be understood that with this method of preventing pregnancy, it is not true menstruation that occurs, but withdrawal bleeding when taking OCs. They are also called menstrual-like. This type of discharge is normal when taking birth control pills.
Most contraceptives are taken for 21 days, and then you need to seven day break. For example, this regimen of taking Regulon. A woman should wait for her period to appear 2-3 days after the last pill from the pack has been taken.
Sometimes, during a break between packs, a girl worries that her period has not started. If a woman regularly took OK in the previous month and did not delay taking the pill for more than 12 hours compared to the prescribed time, then on the 8th day you should start drinking the next pack of contraceptives. There is no need to wait for the start of menstrual flow.
When a girl takes birth control pills irregularly and is sexually active, but her period has not started, then it is necessary to rule out pregnancy. Before this, it is not worth resuming the use of OCs.
Some OCs are taken for 28 days, after which they immediately begin to take tablets from a new package, without taking breaks. Blood discharge will occur when taking those pills that do not contain hormones, i.e. they are a placebo.
If menstruation was regular before taking OCs, then after discontinuation of contraceptives they remain stable. Sometimes menstruation returns within 2-3 cycles. In cases where this does not happen, you should consult a doctor.
What does bleeding at the beginning and end of a dose indicate?
If the adaptation period has passed, but the brown discharge in the form of a spot persists, this may mean that the chosen contraceptive is not suitable for the woman. In such a situation, it is necessary to replace the drug used with another one.
When a girl takes pills from the beginning or middle of the package, and spotting brown discharge occurs, this indicates an insufficient concentration of estrogen in the drug. In such a situation, it is necessary to select OK with more high content of this hormone. For example, if similar discharge is detected when taking a microdose contraceptive Jess, they prescribe a drug from the low-dose group (Yarina).
If bleeding occurs in the middle of the cycle or when taking the last pills from the package, this may mean that the woman does not have enough progestin component. In such a case, a drug with some other gestagen is prescribed.
Heavy bleeding
If, while taking birth control pills, heavy bleeding appears that is similar to menstrual bleeding, this indicates the occurrence of breakthrough bleeding. This is typical for the case when, after the influence of progesterone, the endometrium begins to be rejected, and the estrogen content in the OC taken is not enough to stop the resulting uterine bleeding.
In this case, you need to contact a specialist. But there may be situations when it is not possible to immediately see a gynecologist. Then doctors recommend taking a double daily dose of contraception (1 tablet in the morning and in the evening). It is necessary to drink the drug in this mode every day until the bleeding stops.
Later, it is important to visit a gynecologist so that he can find out why this situation arose. Afterwards he will recommend another drug. For example, if bleeding occurs while taking the microdose contraceptive Jess, the doctor will prescribe a low-dose OC (Yarina tablets or any other drug from this group).
Also, breakthrough bleeding can begin in cases where:
- the regimen for using oral contraceptives is disrupted, i.e. the woman forgot to take the next pill;
- diarrhea or vomiting occurred, which worsened the absorption of the contraceptive;
- the woman is taking antibiotics or drugs that affect the functioning of the central nervous system;
- products containing St. John's wort are used;
- the contraceptive regimen is prolonged (in this case, OCs are taken for 63 days, followed by a break for 7 days, and then the pills are resumed).
Bleeding after emergency contraception
This type of contraception is aimed at preventing pregnancy after sexual intercourse. unprotected contact or ineffective use of other means. Drugs from this group include:
- progestin drugs (Postinor, Escapelle);
- antihistamines (Gynepristone).
These products must be used within 2 or 3 days after unprotected sexual contact. The drugs cause significant hormonal imbalances, which prevents possible pregnancy.
Most frequent by-effect emergency contraception - bleeding, which may begin several days after taking the drug. For some girls, the use of such measures leads to cycle disruptions.
Bloody discharge when taking OCs occurs both normally and with various disorders. Therefore, if the adaptation period has passed and the discharge persists, a doctor’s consultation is necessary. Urgent help is also needed in cases where bleeding is profuse, regardless of the duration of use of the drug. During the examination, the doctor will find out what caused the bleeding, stop it, and then decide what contraceptives the woman can take next.