Mid-Cycle Bleeding

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2004
Mid-Cycle Bleeding
5
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 9:48am
I have read other posts on here about irregular bleedin while on birth control, but I just want to be sure I understand. I started bleeding on Wednesday (9/15), which is during the second week of my active pills. This has never happened before (I've been on Aviane for 5 or 6 months now). Last week (9/6 to 9/10) I was late in taking 2 pills (I normally take them at 6:30 AM, those 2 pills were taken over 8 hours late (really bad week at work and I was out of it). That was the first time I've ever taken the pill more than 1 hour late.

I believe this bleeding is a result of taking those pills so late, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Thanks.

lizzie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 09-18-2004 - 10:11am
Hi lizzie24601, welcome!

Taking a pill 8 or more hours late is considered missing a pill. When that happens you should use back-up until you have taken your pills correctly for 7 consecutive days. I think you are probably right, that your irregular bleeding was caused by the fluctuation in your hormone levels because of the late pills. To help you remember your pill-time you could set the alarm on a watch and carry it with you or put a reminder on your cell phone, PDA or computer. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2004
Sun, 09-19-2004 - 7:35am
Thank you. Jill. My next questions then is how long does the bleeding last? Will it end when I start my new pack of pills, 2 weeks from now, or what?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 09-19-2004 - 8:37am
Irregular bleeding patterns can vary from woman to woman. It might stop before you reach the end of your active pills, or it might not. If it does stop before you reach the end of your actives you will bleed again during your hormone free week. Starting the active pills of your next pack should reset your cycle. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Mon, 09-20-2004 - 1:07pm
Hi,

The exact same thing happened to me this month. I got my period in the middle of my second week on pills. But, I didn't miss a pill at all. I've been taking pills for years (in between kids) and never had this happen. The bleeding lasted one week and then stopped. When I finishd my pills, I never got a period on my off week.

It's a low dose pill so I know that I need to take it the same time every day.

Any idea why?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 09-20-2004 - 9:40pm
Hi susanbabson, welcome!

Several things such as loosing weight and large doses of vitamin C (1,000mg or more per day) can cause irregular bleeding but it doesn't sound to me as though that is what happened. Our bodies change as we age so it might be that your body chemistry is now beginning to react differently to the hormones in your pills. If that's the case it shouldn't decrease the effectiveness of your protection but it can change your bleeding pattern. Things might be back to normal on your next cycle, or that may not. You can see if there is a pattern to the bleeding over the next several months. If there is you might want to talk with your doctor about a pill change. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill