Spotting with Birth Control

Hi, G.! Call your OB/GYN and make an appointment. It is likely that even if this was the same pill you were on prior to pregnancy and it worked fine, it may not work as well for you now. After giving birth, your hormone levels are not the same as prior to pregnancy. If it isn't the same pill, it just isn't the right one.

You will probably want to use a second form of birth control until you have been in to your gynecologist and see what the doctor says about it. You probably will need to change your pill. I have had to change my pill a couple of times over the years.

What pill are you on? A lot of the newer pills are VERY low dose and can mess with your hormones just enough to cause spotting, but not a "full period"...basically your body tries to "breakthru" the pills and partially succeeds. Often when this happens you'll continue to spot until you stop the pills at the end of your month, and then get your regular period. You might need to ask your doc for a slightly higher dose pill...even though they are still considered, "low dose".
I had the "spotting" issues with Yasmin and LoEstrin...but did well with Orthocyclen.
And yes...stress can mess with your hormones pretty easily, especially if you are worried about a pregnancy! It's amazing what our minds can do to our bodies.

I just know that I spotted infrequently when I was on the pill. If you want to, you can ask your doctor for a blood test. I had one at just 5 days after conception and it was positive for hcg. They took it because I wanted to be put on birth control and the pelvic examination showed that my uterus already was growing. The doctor wanted a pregnancy ruled out. If you even suspect they would want you to stop taking the pill. So it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Suzi

Have you been taking antibiotics ? Antibiotics can make your birth control ineffective.

Deep breath G.. Chances are that your spotting is due to stress and other slight hormone fluctuations. Our bodies are complex machines and sometimes the smallest things throw them off a little. I take a low dose pill and every once in a while I will spot for no apparent reason. If I stop and think about it, it is usually during a time of stress or worry. I am thinking too that if it is still another 2-3 weeks before your period should come, you shouldn't be ovulating at this time (even if your pill failed).
As a side note, be careful if you take any suppliments or drink energy drinks. Sometimes the herbal ingredients in these can affect the effectiveness of your birth control pills.
I hope everything works out well for you. Hang in there and try not to worry! :-)

This happened with me once. I went to the OB/GYN and took a preg. test and it was negative. It turns out my pills were not strong enough, so they just changed them and everything was fine. Good Luck!
K.

Chances are it is due to the stress you are experiencing. I know when I was on the pill, normally I only had a period during the "off" week, but if I was really stressed about something or something was going to be out of the ordinary, I'd spot. For example, when I planned a trip that was going to put me in unusual circumstances, I spotted. Also, when I went to Officer Candidate School, I spotted. I always found it so lovely to get to worry about that on top of what the true stessor was! Good luck!