For the first few months after starting a new prescription, irregular spotting is normal.The spotting is usually done with a small amount of blood and does not require the use of a feminine hygiene product.Talk to your doctor if the problem doesn't go away.
Step 1: The first few months will see spotting.
After starting birth control pills for the first time, spotting occurs frequently.If you have been on birth control pills in the past, took a break, and now have resumed, this is also the case.Spotting is a term used for episodes of slight bleeding that do not require the use of a pad or tampon.Breakthrough bleeding is a level of bleeding that requires the use of a product.These terms are often used interchangeably in the medical literature.
Step 2: Take your pills at once.
If you have a schedule that works for you, you can regulate your cycle.Taking birth control pills at the same time each day reduces spotting.Altering the time by a few hours is okay, but if you change your dose by four hours or more, you are altering how your body absorbs the birth control pills and naturally produces hormones.This could lead to spotting.It can increase your chances of getting pregnant by decreasing the effectiveness of the birth control pills.The most likely time to remember is when you pick a time that is convenient.Try to take them last thing before bed, in the morning when you brush your teeth, or at another time if you consistently perform other daily activities like taking your shower or going for a morning walk.Wait until you start the next pack if you don't like the time you picked.To make sure you don't compromise the way the pills work in your body, adjust your dose time with a fresh pack.It is possible to increase your chance of spotting as well as getting pregnant by adjusting your time mid-cycle.
Step 3: Put your pills in the original container.
Do not remove the tablets from their package.You can keep track of where you are in your cycle with the packaging.It is important to take the pills in the correct order in your pack if they are different in color.Colored tablets have different strengths of hormones that your body needs at different times of the month.If your pills are all in the same package, take them in chronological order.This can help you and your doctor identify any problems you may have, such as spotting, at a particular part of your cycle.
Step 4: You need to be prepared in case you miss a pill.
If you don't know what to do if you miss a pill, talk to your doctor.One of the most common reasons for spotting or breakthrough bleeding is missing a pill.If you miss a pill, ask your doctor when to take it and if additional protection is needed to prevent pregnancies.These questions don't have simple answers.There are three primary factors that affect the answers.If you missed more than one pill in a row, the factors include the type of pills you are taking.
Step 5: The guidelines for missing one pill should be looked at.
If you miss a pill, always check with your doctor to make sure you know what to do.The general guidelines for women who take a new pack of pills every month include the following: If you miss the first pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember.It's okay to take two pills in a day.If you don't take the next seven tablets on time, use a backup form of birth control.If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember.The pill should be taken at the normal time.It's okay to take two pills in a day.If you have a 28 day pill pack and miss a dose during the last week, you are not at risk of getting pregnant.You would start your pack according to your schedule.
Step 6: If you miss more than one pill, follow the recommendations.
If you miss more than one pill during a cycle, the manufacturer will give you additional information in their product literature.You can check with your doctor to make sure you understand what to do.If you don't get back on schedule with your birth control, you will need to use another method.Take two tablets on the day you remember if you miss two pills in a row.You will be back on your normal schedule.You can use another form of birth control until you have a fresh pack of pills.If you miss two pills in a row during the third week, use another method of birth control until you start a new pack.You can discard the rest of the pack if you missed the two pills.If you miss three or more pills in a row, you will need to start a new pack and use another method of birth control.Call your doctor to get clear instructions on when to start the new pack.If you need to wait until your menstrual cycle occurs, you should start the new pack as usual.Depending on the type of birth control pills you are taking, your doctor may want you to start another pack sooner than that.Until you have taken seven days of your new pack, use other forms of birth control.
Step 7: Stop smoking.
Don't start if you do not smoke.Smoking cigarettes and birth control pills can cause serious problems.Smoking can result in lower levels of estrogen and possibly lead to spotting.Women who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day should not use birth control.Smoking cigarettes while taking birth control pills can cause serious side effects.Blood clot, tumors, and stroke are some of the serious consequences that can occur from smoking and taking birth control pills.
Step 8: A healthy weight is maintained.
Your body's natural hormonal balance can be affected by weight gain or weight loss.Check with your doctor to make sure your birth control pill regimen is still appropriate if you experience a significant weight change.Birth control pills are equally effective in overweight women as they are in women of average weight, according to recent research.There are still questions about the effects of weight gain or loss on metabolism, hormones, and birth control pill absorption.
Step 9: Don't take vitamins or supplements.
The effectiveness of birth control pills can be influenced by vitamins and herbal supplements.Taking vitamins or other supplements can be used to alter the levels of hormones to prevent spotting.It is true that some vitamins, supplements, and even foods can interfere with the way your body absorbs the hormones in birth control pills, but this is not a recommended method of trying to self-adjust your dose.If you use vitamins, supplements, and some foods and beverages, you should get in touch with your doctor to make sure they don't affect your birth control pills.Scientific research does not recommend these methods.It is possible to balance the hormones in the birth control pills to match the needs of your body.The absorption of hormones in birth control pills can be altered by vitamins, herbal supplements, and foods.Let your doctor know if these agents are part of your routine.
Step 10: Control the stress in your life.
Stressful situations can change the release and absorption of the stress hormone cortisol.Cortisol can alter the normal production of natural hormones, and may have an impact on the absorption and efficacy of your birth control pills.Alterations in cortisol levels can affect how your body uses hormones.spotting and breakthrough bleeding can occur even when taking birth control pills.There are steps you can take to manage the stress in your life.Participants in a new exercise routine or learning stress management tools may be included.Breathing and relaxation techniques can be used to control stress.
Step 11: If you have persistent spotting, you should contact your doctor.
If you experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.If you have spotting or breakthrough bleeding for more than seven days, your doctor needs to know.Spotting or bleeding that lasts more than four months warrants medical attention.If there are new episodes of spotting, you should see your doctor.It is possible that the spotting or breakthrough bleeding is caused by something other than your birth control pills.If you are continuing on the same regimen of birth control pills but begin to experience mid-cycle bleeding, this may be a symptom of another problem and should be evaluated by your doctor.It is possible that breakthrough bleeding is a sign of other problems.If you have made lifestyle changes such as smoking, or have started taking new medications that may interact with the birth control pill regimen, this can cause breakthrough bleeding.
Step 12: Consider a different contraceptive pill.
Birth control pills contain the lowest possible amount of hormones.If your doctor is aware of your problem with spotting, he or she may change your pills to a type that has slightly higher levels of estrogen.If you continue to have problems with spotting or breakthrough bleeding on your current pill, talk to your doctor about either changing to another strength or extending the number of days you take.There are a lot of pills that can be used to prevent pregnancies.Being patient and trying a few different types will help you find the best one for you.Doctors often start with products with the lowest possible amounts of hormones.Spotting and breakthrough bleeding can be stopped by changing to a brand with a slightly higher dose of estrogen.Some packages are designed to give you more active pills by taking advantage of a 3 month cycle as opposed to the usual 1 month pill pack.You may have less problems with your periods if you switch to a 3 month cycle.Discuss this option with your doctor.
Step 13: Make sure you work with your doctor.
Many women stop taking birth control pills because of problems with spotting or breakthrough bleeding.It is possible to try other types of birth control pills.You will need to find another method of birth control if you stop taking your pills.Birth control pills can be used to prevent pregnancies.Other methods can be inconvenient and less reliable.
Step 14: You should get regular exams.
Your doctor will schedule your appointments at intervals that are appropriate for your age and any risk factors you may have for other diseases.It is recommended by many doctors that you schedule your appointments on an annual basis to evaluate for changes and make sure your birth control pills are at the right dose for you.If you are having problems with bleeding, make an appointment as soon as possible for an evaluation.Vaginal bleeding can be a symptom of a serious medical condition.Depending on your personal circumstances, your doctor may want to perform screening tests for sexually transmitted disease on a regular basis.Birth control pills do not protect against STDs.If you think you have a sexually transmitted disease, let your doctor know as soon as possible.
Step 15: Talk to your doctor about any other drugs that you are taking.
Drugs can affect the effectiveness of birth control pills.Your doctor should have a list of your drugs.Continually update him or her on any changes that are made to your daily dose of prescription drugs, over-the-counter agents, and herbal supplements.Drugs that can interfere with the effectiveness of your pill can include everything from over-the-counter herbal supplements to antibiotics.The effectiveness of your birth control pills can be altered by both short and long term antibiotics.Since birth control may be less effective with an antibiotic, it is important to let your doctor know.Birth control pills can be interfered with by some antiseizure medications.Seizure medications can be used to treat chronic pain syndromes.St. John's wort may interfere with hormonal birth control.If you are taking something new, ask your doctor if you need to use backup birth control.
Step 16: Inform your doctor if you have any new or old medical conditions.
If you have a medical condition, birth control pills may not work the way you want them to.Some medical conditions may warrant closer monitoring for women that are taking birth control pills.Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a history of breast disease are examples.Let your doctor know if you get a virus, the flu, or a stomach condition.Birth control pills can be altered by the symptoms alone.You may need to use another method of birth control until you feel better, because they are less effective during this time.