spotting between periods on the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2004
spotting between periods on the pill
4
Fri, 07-09-2004 - 9:27pm
I have a problem that is concerning me. I just went to the bathroom and found that I am bleeding-enough to use a regular tampon. I've had no pain or anything else unusual symptom-wise. This is weird to me because I am on the pill and my "off" week is next week. I have been on the pill for a very long time and have never once had any kind of unusual bleeding. I'm always perfectly on time...every Tuesday. Here's the relevant information: Started this pill pack on Sunday June 20th-tomorrow is my last active pill. I did not miss any pills and wasn't off by more than 1 hour ever. In fact, I set the alarm on my cell phone to help me remember every night. I started high-dose antibiotics (amoxicillin) for an ear infection on Wednesday June 30-tomorrow is my last day of that. I had unprotected sex on June 19th (the day before I started my new pill pack)

So my questions are:

1. Could the antibiotics be causing me to spot?

2. Could I be pregnant? I think no because I had sex well before I started the antibiotics and haven't had sex since then. And I know not to have unprotected sex after the antibiotics.

I'm freaking out a little and would appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 07-10-2004 - 12:30am
Hi imelaine2004,

The antibiotics could have thrown you off enough to cause spotting. If you don’t spot next cycle that may be what happened. Usually bleeding is not a sign of pregnancy. If you didn’t have IC after you began your antibiotics (or if you used back-up during and for 7 days after you finish) then I agree, I don’t think you have to worry about pregnancy. If you start to spot at this time in your pack next cycle your body may have changed enough in the time that you have taken this pill that the pill is no longer quite right for you. If you continue to spot on your actives then you could talk with your doc about a pill change. I think you are probably ok. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2002
Sat, 07-10-2004 - 12:23pm
This happened to me. I have been on ortho-tricyclen for about 20 months - never missed one, no problems. In April and May I started having problems with breakthrough bleeding. I called my OB/GYN and she sent me for an ultrasound to rule out any problems (such as cysts). When that checked out, she switched my pills to a monophasic brand and I haven't had any further problems. She said sometimes you just need to switch brands. Have you called your Dr? I doubt you'd be pregnant. Hope this helps.

Melodie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2004
Sat, 07-10-2004 - 1:20pm
Well, as of this morning I am no longer spotting. Very weird. I'm currently on a monophasic pill (Ovcon-35). I didn't call my doctor yet-I was just going to wait until Monday to ask her what she thought. But let me pose another question. I've lost about 15 pounds since March-could that do it? I haven't had any drastic shifts in weight-just slow and steady loss (this is all Depo-Provera weight that was put on during the 4 years I took the shot-I've been off the shot for over a year and regular on the pill so I know that has nothing to do with it).

Now that I think about it, it's probably a combination of the antibiotics and the fact that this ear infection really threw me for a loop-been sick about 2 weeks with a cold as well.

Thanks for your quick responses. I feel much better today than I did just a few hours ago.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 07-10-2004 - 2:34pm
Hi imelaine2004,

I'm glad you're feeling better!

I agree. My guess would be the infection and ABs threw you off a bit.

hugs,

      Jill