The first time you skip your period with the pill or the ring, you may experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting after
two to three months
. As you continue the cycle of taking the medication for three weeks and coming off of it for five days, that stretch of time between bleeding and not will lengthen.
How long does it take for breakthrough bleeding to start?
Cycles range from 28 days to months, depending on the type you choose. Anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of people using combination birth control pills experience breakthrough bleeding in the first
three to six months
of use. This drops to 10 to 30 percent by the third month.
How do you know if your breakthrough bleeding?
Breakthrough bleeding refers to
vaginal bleeding or spotting that occurs between menstrual periods or while pregnant
. The blood is usually either light red or dark reddish brown, much like the blood at the beginning or end of a period. However, depending on the cause, it may resemble regular menstrual blood.
Does breakthrough bleeding happen every day?
Sometimes breakthrough bleeding can occur
, even though you are taking the Pill continuously. If the bleeding is light or just ‘spotting' that lasts for two or three days, keep taking the hormone pills daily as you have been.
How do I know if its breakthrough bleeding or implantation bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is more likely to be a
pinky-brown color
. Menstrual bleeding, on the other hand, may start off light pink or brown, but it soon changes into crimson red. Strength of flow. Implantation bleeding is usually super-light spotting.
How much breakthrough bleeding is normal?
How many days does breakthrough bleeding last? The length of breakthrough bleeding depends on the person. However, it
should not last longer than seven days
. If you are experiencing breakthrough bleeding while taking birth control continuously, it is best to go off of birth control for a week to let your uterus reset.
Will breakthrough bleeding stop on its own?
While
breakthrough bleeding may be normal and go away on its own over time
, you should call your doctor if you're also experiencing: abdominal pain.
Can I get pregnant if I have breakthrough bleeding?
If you experience breakthrough bleeding on the pill,
it does not mean that you are pregnant
. If you are taking your pill correctly each day, the hormones in the pills prevent you from getting pregnant, even if you are experiencing breakthrough bleeding.
Do you get cramps with breakthrough bleeding?
Sometimes women have accompanying lower abdominal cramps (similar to menstrual cramps) a few
days before
or during the days when breakthrough bleeding is happening. Women also can have a persistent and/or irregular bleeding pattern when repeatedly skipping oral contraceptive doses.
Can stress cause breakthrough bleeding?
Stress. Stress can cause
all
kinds of changes in your body, including fluctuations in your menstrual cycle. Some women may experience vaginal spotting due to high levels of physical or emotional stress.
Should I stop the pill if I have breakthrough bleeding?
Over time, the
episodes of breakthrough bleeding should space out and eventually stop
. Breakthrough bleeding isn't a sign that your birth control isn't working. Be sure to keep taking your birth control — even if you experience bleeding — to lower your risk of unplanned pregnancy.
What does Brown discharge mean when your on birth control?
Brown discharge could be
“spotting”
Women can experience spotting between periods while taking birth control pills because it can take time for your body to get adjusted to estrogen and progesterone,the hormones in the pill. This spotting can appear darker in color, with women often reporting it as a brown discharge.
Can stress cause breakthrough bleeding on the pill?
Stress: Stress can cause an
increase in cortisol
, a hormone that interferes with the release of estrogen and progesterone, which can disrupt the menstrual cycle and lead to spotting.
What does pregnancy spotting look like?
What Spotting Looks Like. Generally, the discharge you'll see if you experience spotting is
brown, red, or pink in color and has a slightly gummy or stringy texture
(because the discharge consists of a few drops of dried blood that's mixed with cervical mucus).
Is it my period or am I pregnant?
When you have your period, the flow is noticeably heavier and can last up to a week.
Pregnancy
: For some, one of the first signs of pregnancy is light vaginal bleeding or spotting that's usually pink or dark brown. This typically happens 10 to 14 days after conception and is usually not enough to fill pads or tampons.
How soon after implantation bleeding can I test?
If you don't want to wait until you've missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes
seven to 12 days after successful implantation
of an egg.
