Breakthrough Bleeding/Spotting Question

Jen K · 10-06-2005, 01:37 PM

Does anyone know what causes breakthrough bleeding or spotting while you are on the BCP? I have recently experienced slight cramps and a tiny (very tiny) bit of breakthrough bleeding or spotting the week before my period was due - the week before the "fake" pills. I have been on the same BCP for a few <4-5> months now, so I don't think that it's the "adjustment" time when you're body is getting used to a new pill. And, typically, when I amon the pill, my periods come like clockwork (with various degrees of unpleasantness depending on which BCP...but that's another story)

Any thoughts on this?

Jen K

RunnerDuck · 10-06-2005, 08:46 PM

I am not sure there is any one cause.

As I understand it, progesterone causes your lining to build but estrogen is what holds it all together and keeps it inside while it's building. Drop in progesterone = shedding of lining, though.

So the low estrogen content of low dose pills is why a lot of women have spotting on them, or so I was once told by a doc I trusted reasonable well.

Now I never had a problem with spotting on the "standard" dose bcps - the ones that have 35 unit of estrogen - but the low dose pills such as Alesse and Mircette did make me spot, so maybe this makes sense.

I have had problems with spotting on Yasmin. Yasmin has only 30 units of estrogen. however it also has a progestin that is derived from Spironalactone, which is used as an anti-androgen although it is actually a diuretic. Spiro can cause spotting/bleeding, and when I have taken spiro, I have had bleeding, so it shouldn't be a total shock that Yasmin caused me to have spotting. But I don't know if it's the lower estrogen or the Spiro part or both of Yasmin that make me bleed.

I also found when I took Ovcon35 that I bled an INSANE amount... and it is a standard, 35 units of estrogen pill. So I don't know what to blame that on.

I guess it can be different things, it can be either how much estrogen there is or how your body responds to the progestin component.

I don't know why you would suddenly begin to have side effects on a pill you'd been doing fine on without some interim event such as taking a break, pregnancy, etc - something that chances your body chemistry. But you can develop side effects at any time and I guess the rule is the same as when you are first starting... give it a few cycles and see what happens.

Did you miss any pills, take any pills late, etc???

happyflower6 · 10-06-2005, 09:56 PM

Not quite sure what causes the breakthrough bleeding. All I can tell you is that it is not fun! I started bleeding on Lo Ovral originally, was switched to Ovcon and dx with PCOS. Had the same problems on the Ovcon.... So.. I can't offer much advice to you. I finally got fed up and I'm taking Provera now to help regulate my cycle. But I really miss the regularity of knowing when AF comes with the pill. Good luck to you and you're not alone on this issue.