T O P I C R E V I E W
dancedancedance
Member # 101087
posted 12-16-2012 07:52 PM
Okay, I read all of the pregnancy scare articles so I really do apologize if what I'm about to say has already been mentioned, I know how annoying that must be. Okay so I've been taking the birth control pill for a little over a year and a half now. I am so consistent with taking the pill at the same time everyday. I've only ever taken it late once and have never ever missed a day. EVER. I took my first brand for about 8 months before I started to bleed for two consecutive weeks and was then switched to a different brand. Since starting the new brand, my period has never consistently come on a certain day. Sometimes it's right when I take the first sugar pill, for awhile it was 2 or 3 days after, and for the past two months it has been before the first sugar pill. This month it was 4 days before the sugar pill. Of course I jumped to the internet because I rely way too heavily on it and started to read about breakthrough bleeding. Since I have been on this brand for longer than 3 months, the typical adjustment period, I know this can't be normal. I've also had cramps these past few days of early bleeding and have been bloated. Today marks the first sugar pill day and I am still bleeding, although the cramps are gone. I'm in the midst of finals and have been stressed so idk if this could have anything to do with it? I've had sex with my boyfriend a few times since my last period. We use a condom all the time but the last time we were a little intoxicated and it slipped off, although it was before he came. Okay that was a ton of info but I just wanted to make sure you knew the exact scenario. I guess i'm just wondering if this breakthrough bleeding points toward a sign that maybe this isn't the right birth control for me and if that means that it is less protective and there could be a chance that I am pregnant. Is there?
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 12-17-2012 08:24 AM
HI dancedancedance and welcome to Scarleteen, I'll put your mind at ease right away. Side effects from the pill are not an indication that it isn't working as contraception. Side effects are just that, side, or incidental, effects of the way something interacts with an individual's unique body. Also, while the typical adjustment period to birth control is generally stated as three months, that doesn't mean that an individual's body will be adjusted to it by that point. Stress can absolutely play a factor in this too. There are many, many hormones in our bodies that the pill doesn't control, that still have an impact on our reproductive organs. Have you experienced any bleeding at other times during the month?
dancedancedance
Member # 101087
posted 12-17-2012 09:30 AM
The only times that I can think of are right before I'm supposed to get my period. Last month I think it was only 2 days before my first sugar pill and I can't remember the month before that
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 12-17-2012 10:48 AM
Nodding...This doesn't sound like something to be too worried about unless it's inconvenient or uncomfortable for you. You could give your doctor's office or clinic a call and ask to speak to someone (there's usually a nurse or other medical person who can speak to patients on the phone) to get their opinion on whether this is a point of concern.
dancedancedance
Member # 101087
posted 12-17-2012 12:50 PM
so you don't think there's a chance i could be pregnant?
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 12-17-2012 12:55 PM
I think that what you're describing doesn't sound like pregnancy, but the only way to know whether anyone is pregnant or not is for that person to take a pregnancy test So, if you're feeling uncertain of whether your birth control has done its job, a pregnancy test would be the way to find out for sure.
dancedancedance
Member # 101087
posted 12-17-2012 01:18 PM
okay thank you so much
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 12-17-2012 01:29 PM
You're most welcome.