Is This Normal!?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Is This Normal!?
2
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 10:42pm
Today is my 16th day on Ortho Lo, I've never been on any type of BC pill before, so I was concerned about possible side effects. Over the past few days, I've noticed that 5-7 hours AFTER I take the pill (12:00 noon) I get a bit nauseous. I try to eat right before or right after I take the pill, so I dont understand why I would be getting that way hours after I've taken it. Also, today for the first time, I started spotting just minutes after I took my pill. I also started getting cramps an hour or so after I took it. They were very similar to the cramps I get the first day of my period. I had sex without a condom on the 14th day, so should I be worried? Is this all normal? How long should the spotting last? I'm 4 days away from starting the placebo pills, so I'm a bit confused. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: roxy1385
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 7:13am
This very well could be normal for you right now! While nausea is most often related to the pill actually being in your stomach, it is possible to be nauseous from the hormones being in your system--women with the patch and Nuvaring can also have problems with nausea, so it's not just the pill being in your stomach (as we thought before the transdermal methods were available). Hopefully that will pass with time!

As far as the spotting, breakthrough bleeding is -extremely- common in the first month on the pill, moreso toward the end of the first pack as your body is still adjusting to the hormones and the uterus isn't totally on board yet. The spotting might last until you start your real withdrawal bleed next week, but at the end of your period (which might be a couple days into the next pack), things should be better. Usually the second month is better, and breakthrough bleeding is typically gone (at least for most cases) by the end of the third month, though not always.

Hang in there! I bet it's all part of the adjustment....

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
In reply to: roxy1385
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 12:23pm
Thanks, I was starting to get a bit concerned especially about the spotting and cramping. I'm also starting to get a light discharge, so hopefully that too will pass.(?)