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Are Spotting And Breast Pain Indicative Of Pregnancy While On Birth Control Pills?
Posted on
Thu, 1 Feb 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 1 Feb 2018
Answered on
Tue, 21 Aug 2018
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi. I recently got put on birth control. It's been three weeks, and tomorrow I will start the inactive pills. The thing is, I've been spotting almost every day since I started the pills, and a few times had a bit of a gush, but it always dissipates. I feel like I'm still having PMS symptoms and my boobs hurt worse than ever. Today, I feel like I may have my period lightly, but that would make it early. If it is my period early, does this interfere with my cycle and taking the inactive pills for the next 7 days. Am I more at risk of pregnancy because of this? Do I just take the inactive pills for the next 7 days and remain protected from pregnancy? I've been taking them everyday on time, my body just seems a little out of wack right now and I'm hoping it will work itself out. What do you suggest?
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Although it can take 2-3 pill packs to really see how a particular formulation of the pill is going to work out for a person, your symptoms are not a good sign that it is the right one for you. However I looked at a previous question and see that you took Plan B in January. Was this while you were not he current birth control pill? Because Plan B is a high dose of progestin and can really mess up a cycle with or without the regular contraceptive pill.
If you took Plan B during that time, then I'd say give your new contraceptive pill another month. If not, it's time to go back to your doctor to discuss a different contraceptive pill formulation.
Also, if the pill you are on is a progestin only and not a combination pill that has estrogen in it, spotting can be expected and so you may want a combination pill if that is the case.
And if you have been using the pill as prescribed, you are protected even if you are having intermittent bleeding.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Although it can take 2-3 pill packs to really see how a particular formulation of the pill is going to work out for a person, your symptoms are not a good sign that it is the right one for you. However I looked at a previous question and see that you took Plan B in January. Was this while you were not he current birth control pill? Because Plan B is a high dose of progestin and can really mess up a cycle with or without the regular contraceptive pill.
If you took Plan B during that time, then I'd say give your new contraceptive pill another month. If not, it's time to go back to your doctor to discuss a different contraceptive pill formulation.
Also, if the pill you are on is a progestin only and not a combination pill that has estrogen in it, spotting can be expected and so you may want a combination pill if that is the case.
And if you have been using the pill as prescribed, you are protected even if you are having intermittent bleeding.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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