not sure what's happening

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
not sure what's happening
3
Wed, 07-07-2004 - 2:00pm
I am on ortho tri lo. 3 months ago I had a very light period then the 2 after were normal. I just started a new pack a little over a week ago, and started "spotting". This is the first time I have ever spotted while on the pill (yeah and a half). Is this normal, or should I go and get a pregnancy test? Anything will help me out!! Thanks!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 07-08-2004 - 8:16am
Well...bleeding usually isn't a sign of pregnancy! The opposite, in fact... Midcycle spotting can be caused by a number of things. Have you missed any pills or taken a couple late? Have you made any major changes to your diet with regard to vitamin C or caffeine (like big dosage changes)? Sometimes it just happens as your body's own hormonal needs for maintaining the lining of your uterus change. Ovulation control is the easy part, it's keeping the uterus from bleeding that's hard!

Keep taking your pills on time and as you're supposed to, keep an eye on the bleeding and see how it goes, and you might put in a call to your doctor to let them know. Some doctors prefer to wait another month and see if it repeats, others will want to do a pill change (not to worry--this happens all the time) to see if they can control the bleeding and keep you happy.

Good luck!

Judie

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Thu, 07-08-2004 - 6:01pm
I have changed my diet...I have started eating low carbs and high protien. How long does midcycle bleeding go? It is going on my 4th day.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 07-08-2004 - 6:31pm
Hi el24vis,

Yep, low carbing can cause irregular bleeding if you are loosing weight. Burning fat will release estrogen and that additional estrogen added to what is in your pills can bring on bleeding in some women. You may continue to spot until you stop loosing weight, or you body becomes adjusted to the change in hormone balance.

Good luck,

      Jill