what does it mean when you bleed on birth control pills?
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Your period on the pill is technically called withdrawal bleeding, referring to the withdrawal of hormones in your pill, and in your body. The drop in hormone levels causes the lining of your uterus (the endometrium) to shed (1). This bleeding may be slightly different than the period you had before taking the pill.
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A little bleeding is also common during the first two to three months on a new birth control pill as your body acclimates to the altered hormone levels; it's highly unlikely for pregnancy to result during either time.
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Top things to know: 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.
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Help With Cramps, PMS, and Anemia Taking birth control pills may lower your risk of heavy menstrual bleeding by preventing ovulation and making the lining of the uterus thinner. A lighter period lowers your risk of iron-deficiency anemia, which results from heavy bleeding.
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Don't stress! This is not abnormal. Breakthrough bleeding (anything from light brown discharge up to bleeding like your regular period) is the most common side effect for women beginning birth control. Just continue using your birth control as normal and give your body time to adjust to the birth control you are using.
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A: Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect of birth control pills. It is especially common during the first three months as your body adjusts to the hormones in the medication.
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Bleeding if you're on the pill If you're taking the progestogen-only pill, your bleeds may be irregular or stop altogether for as long as you keep taking the pill. The combined pill may also mask or control menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats.
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Breakthrough bleeding Some women will experience bleeding or spotting between periods for several months after beginning the shot. Seventy percent of women using the birth control shot experience episodes of unexpected bleeding during the first year of use.
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It's the same hormone used in oral contraceptives, but in a single, higher dose. It causes a change in hormone levels, which can affect the usual pattern of your menstrual cycle. This can lead to spotting between the time you take it and the beginning of your next period.
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Irregular bleeding or spotting is common in the first three to four months after you start taking the pill. This should subside once your body adjusts to the medication. You may experience spotting later on if you've missed or skipped a dose. If this bleeding becomes heavy, don't stop taking your medication.
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If you're taking birth control pills, you might also have two periods because you forgot to take one or you took one later than usual. Even a few hours delay can cause a little bleeding, called spotting. Once you've been on your pills for a while, taking them on time will become part of your regular routine.
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This light bleeding can be confused with implantation bleeding, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants into the uterus. It can also cause you to have breakthrough bleeding, which is bleeding between periods. Birth control can even cause you to miss a period, which can be confused with a sign of pregnancy.
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The most common side effect of using birth control pills in this way is breakthrough bleeding in the first several months. You may even notice that the blood you see is dark brown, which may mean that it's old blood.
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Can switching birth control cause you to have lighter periods? Yes. In general, hormonal birth control methods that contain both estrogen and a progestin (birth control pills, the patch, NuvaRing) decrease the number of days of bleeding and the amount of blood women lose each cycle.
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However, taking birth control pills can lead to a range of side effects such as brown vaginal discharge. It is very common to have brown discharge while on birth control pills.
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It can also make the next period come earlier or heavier than usual. Subsequent periods can be more painful. If this pill is taken again or frequently, the side effects can last longer, including inter-menstrual bleeding or heavy menstrual bleeding.
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If you stop mid pack, which is before you'd have your period normally, your body may take longer to reach its normal cycle. Also, if you stop taking your birth control pills in the middle of your cycle, you may experience cramping and spotting as soon as two days after your last pill.