changing pills

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
changing pills
9
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 11:25am

I am on Apri and ever since missing one pill back in April, I have had mid-cycle spotting. I went to see my doctor (GP) last month who suggested that I hold out one more month to see if it happens again. She ordered routine blood work (iron, thyroid, etc...) which all came back normal. It is happening again (at the end of week two, early week three of my pack) and she is referring me to the ob/gyn to rule out any other issues.

I have been on Apri since December and was fine until I missed that one pill. In talking to some of my friends, though, and noting my recent stress levels with work and also my heightened emotions, some suggested that I ask to change pills.

I have an appointment with the ob/gyn tomorrow morning, but am wondering if there is anything else I should be aware of. Or, if there are any other things that could be causing this spotting. I also had an ultra-sound (internal and external) prior to starting Apri to rule out any other issues so I suspect that it really is just something to do with the pill and not something wrong with me physically.

Thanks for any help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2006
In reply to: lshboston
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 11:34am

I highly doubt that missing just one pill in 4-5 months of perfect usage would be enough, in and of itself, to cause your spotting unless your body is really that hypersensitive to hormonal fluctuations. If that is the case, it might be a good idea to give it another cycle or two's worth of a chance since I've heard it can take your body that long to adjust to any major changes. Like I said, though, unless your body is super hypersensitive to hormonal change, I'm not totally sure one pill alone would cause this much trouble.

That's just my theory. Jill? Judie?




Edited 6/13/2006 11:41 am ET by marie923082
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
In reply to: lshboston
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 12:55pm

I guess that is really my question...what else could be causing it? The past few days of spotting are more an annoyance than anything else, but still - it had been fine up until that missed pill. I am a "set my alarm" clock pill taker and rarely veer more than 15 minutes on either end. I am so jealous of my friends who just "take it whenever" and have no problems.

I think it was someone on this board before who mentioned that Apri is pretty high on the estrogen and that perhaps a pill with lower estrogen would be better. Of course, I generally leave those decisions to the doctor but was hoping to go in armed with bit more knowledge under my belt...

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2006
In reply to: lshboston
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 1:37pm
Well, you did mention that you have a high stress level. That could trick your body into thinking it's time for your period. I'm not totally sure how much that flies, but if hormonal fluctuations can cause you to skip, is it that unbelievable that they could cause you to bleed? *shrug* Just a theory.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: lshboston
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 3:17pm

Hi lshboston, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
In reply to: lshboston
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 4:57pm

I can't say that I"ve had mid-cycle spotting after a whole cycle, but I will say, that usually, if I miss a pill, I will have spotting within a day or two. It usually clears up though, as soon as I get back on track.

I'm also wondering, if you're the type that MUST take a pill with a 30 min window at the same time, maybe it could've messed things up, and may take more than one month to fix.

I spot usually if I miss a pill, and I am one of those than can take a pill anytime I want...within 6-10 HOURS...and not have any problems. I start spotting if I miss a pill for more than 12 hours usually.

Good luck.

~IDM
It was
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: lshboston
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 7:35am

I would say that most likely it is your pill if everything else is testing normally.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
In reply to: lshboston
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 11:27am

Just back from the doctor (what a great way to start the morning, eh?!) and she has switched me to Ortho Novum 1/35. I'll go back in another three months for a follow up. Without starting a whole new post just yet, I'm wondering what the difference is with the two and what, if any, side-effects I might anticipate.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: lshboston
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 12:59pm

Hi lshboston, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
In reply to: lshboston
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 3:16pm

Thanks, Jill.
Actually, I think my biggest fear with switching (especially since the estrogen is a little higher in this one) is moodiness. But, I suppose that is a question I could ask my doctor, too.