What Causes Light Period While Being On Birth Control?

Posted on Fri, 20 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 Answered on

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I've been on birth control for two weeks now and I missed two days and started what I thought is my period. My periods are usually Awful but this one has the regular pains but the blood is only when I wipe and wear a tampon. It doesn't get on a pad when I wear one. This is my first period in a year and I have polycystic ovarian syndrome. Is this normal?

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
withdrawal bleeding

Detailed Answer:
Hello mam, I understand the anxiety related to the issue.
No this is not your regular period and is rather a withdrawal bleeding due to the missed pills.
This is rather common but now Start the rest of the pill pack and finish it as scheduled.
Then start another pill pack from first day of next period.
In case you don't want pregnancy then use condoms while having sex because missing pills during this time can result in contraceptive failure.
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (2 minutes later)

So I will still have a regular period at the end of this pack?

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes periods will come at end of pack

Detailed Answer:
Yes keep taking pills as before if using pills only for cycle regularization but in case you also want contraception then take 2 pills today and 2 pills tomorrow and then rest pills as routine along with condoms.
In either case you will get periods at the end of the pill pack.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar