Does consumption of Lo Estrin Fe cause irregularity/reduced flow in periods?
Patient: Hi. I am on my third month of birth control pills. I was prescribed Lo Estrin Fe and have been taking them since February. I started the pack right when I got them, after my cycle. That month I had a period, however it was in the third week of the pills. My doctor suggested that was normal, and that my next period should come around the end of the pack- near the white and brown pills. This month, it did not. I had very little cramping, and a tad bit of blood, but nothing like I am used to. Also, I had a gelatinous brown substance that I saw when using the restroom. Should I be worried? Doctor: Hello,I have gone through your query and understood the concern. It is common to observe menstrual irregularities during the first three cycles after the initiation of the contraception. This is because the body takes time to adjust to the altered hormone milieu. If the breakthrough bleeding is persistent or heavy, please contact your health care provider for further management. Also, you need to use additional protection like condom or spermicide during the initial couple of months after the pill. If not, you carry a higher risk of failure. I would ask you to get a proper clinical appraisal and also exclude pregnancy. Take care.