Secretion at different periods of the cycle
The nature of the discharge may vary depending on the phase of the cycle:
Cycle phase | Characteristics of discharge |
During ovulation (mid-cycle) |
Transparent (due to increased hydration of the vaginal walls).
If dark discharge appears, this indicates a deficiency of gestagen or estrogen. Such symptoms require discontinuation of the pills taken and the prescription of new ones, with a higher concentration of active substances.
Microdosed OCs (so-called mini-pills), which include:
- sometimes accompanied by blood associated with the release of the egg from the follicle (pink discharge). This indicates that ovulation has occurred and there is a high risk of getting pregnant, despite OK.
This is not a pathology, but such a symptom suggests that the drug is not coping with its task.
6-12 days after ovulation
Bleeding may indicate pregnancy (if the sequence of taking the pills was not followed).
In this case, it is recommended to perform a pregnancy test or donate blood for hCG. If the answer is positive, the contraceptive is immediately discontinued. You should consult your doctor about further actions.
Before menstruation (at the end of the package) a thick brown smear may be observed, which occurs due to a lack of progesterone, which promotes the onset of menstruation (in this case, endometrial rejection does not occur, a delay occurs).
Within a few days after menstruation (first tablets in the package)
Blood clots may appear, indicating cleansing of the uterus.
The reason for this phenomenon may be a lack of estrogen, which restores the mucous layer of the uterus.
Mini-pills can cause false periods, the cycle is disrupted, and consequences arise that are very difficult to correct later. Such symptoms require consultation with a gynecologist and replacement of the OC with a drug containing more estrogen.
Indications for cancellation
There are cases when discontinuation of COCs is required. The main indication will be the woman’s desire to have a child.
Other indications are the following:
- detection of hormone-dependent malignant neoplasms;
- development of an acute allergic reaction to the drug;
- the onset of pregnancy;
- the appearance of symptoms of diabetes, kidney or liver failure;
- sudden loss of vision, development of acute migraine;
- severe thromboembolism;
- the need for long-term immobilization as a result of a fracture of a limb or during the recovery period after surgery;
- preparation for planned surgery on the abdominal organs;
- rapid weight gain over a short period;
- constant nausea and uncontrollable vomiting;
- diagnosis of uterine fibroids and rapid tumor growth.
An indication for discontinuation may be uncontrolled arterial hypertension with frequent hypertensive crises.
Ways to Avoid Withdrawal Bleeding
There are certain methods to prevent withdrawal bleeding from occurring. In this situation, each representative of the fair sex must carefully monitor the state of her health, therefore the selection of hormonal drugs and the regimen for their use should be selected only from specialists based on the individual characteristics of the patient.
If it is necessary to stop taking hormonal drugs, you should use a specific regimen that will make it possible to avoid bleeding, especially heavy bleeding. It involves the following sequence:
- It is better to cancel immediately after taking the last tablet from the pack, as a result of which the woman will begin to have discharge similar to menstruation;
- consult a specialist about discontinuing the drug, as there may be situations in which discontinuation of birth control is prohibited;
- carry out tests in advance to determine the amount of sex hormones present in the body, especially since this set of tests can be taken at any antenatal clinic.
Despite the procedure presented above, there are cases when it is necessary to stop the reception abruptly.
In such a situation, the patient needs to be regularly examined and consult with a gynecologist regarding taking birth control pills and in the event of a body reaction such as uterine bleeding.
After stopping birth control pills, the work of the ovaries can significantly intensify. Such activity can cause a number of side effects, but at the same time it can be used for its intended purpose. For example, active functionality after the abolition of ok can help speed up the process of conception.
Thus, the use of hormonal drugs requires special attention from a woman regarding her health, since in the event of bleeding or any disturbances in the general functionality of the body, it requires urgent consultation with a specialist and, if necessary, complete cessation of taking contraceptive drugs.
Withdrawal bleeding: how long does it last after stopping taking OK, how to stop
Withdrawal bleeding for women who take oral contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy is considered normal.
They should be warned about this by the attending physician who prescribes this or that drug.
As a rule, the annotations for contraceptives do not contain information on how to properly stop taking medications. Therefore, women believe that they can stop taking oral contraceptives on any day of the menstrual cycle.
Attention! This is wrong - you need to stop taking the pills only after the entire package is finished and your period comes. After this, the woman may no longer start a new package.
If you abruptly stop taking the pills, severe bleeding may occur, which is triggered by a sharp increase in hormonal levels.
What it is?
Withdrawal bleeding is artificially induced menstruation.
That is, a woman takes an oral contraceptive according to the schedule during the cycle, and after the drug is stopped, menstruation or withdrawal bleeding occurs.
If it is not profuse, there is no need to stop it, but if the bleeding lasts more than a week or the volume of blood lost is significant, you should consult a doctor to prescribe a hemostatic agent.
Important! The issue of discontinuing an oral contraceptive must be approached very responsibly, since in some cases, after withdrawal bleeding, a woman requires curettage, and this procedure postpones the possibility of conception for several months.
Breakthrough bleeding while taking OCs (oral contraceptives)
Bleeding while taking birth control pills is a common side effect of this group of drugs. If the bleeding is light, it can be considered a side effect of the body becoming accustomed to birth control pills.
Reference! According to statistics, 40% of women experience bloody spotting in the first couple of months of taking the drugs. In some cases, such an adaptation period can last six months, and in 5% of women it lasts for an even longer time.
If the bleeding is heavy and resembles menstruation, it is breakthrough bleeding.
The reasons for this phenomenon lie in the fact that during the adaptation period, atrophy of the endometrial layer increases. This is due to the influence of progesterones, while the estrogen concentration in the oral contraceptive is so low that it cannot provide a hemostatic function.
During the natural menstrual cycle, the level of estrogen in the female body increases, so endometrial detachment stops and menstruation ends. When taking synthetic hormones, these processes do not always go smoothly.
In addition, breakthrough bleeding can be caused by the following reasons:
- The presence of gynecological pathologies in a woman - uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polyps in the uterus and others.
- The bad habit of smoking has an anti-estrogenic effect, which means that women who smoke are more at risk of bleeding.
- Taking the pills incorrectly means abruptly stopping or skipping them.
- Concomitant use of certain medications with birth control pills.
- Vomiting or diarrhea, in which the absorption of drugs does not occur.
- Simultaneous use of oral contraceptives with herbal remedies based on St. John's wort.
- The presence of sexually transmitted infections.
- The presence of individual intolerance to the drug.
If you have finished taking birth control pills, but your period does not begin, and pregnancy tests are negative, you should immediately consult a doctor.
How to stop?
What to do if the discharge is too heavy and lasts for more than a week?
Of course, it is best to talk to your doctor about withdrawal bleeding.
But if this is not possible, you can try taking a double dose of the drug, for example, 1 tablet in the morning and evening:
- In this mode, it is recommended to drink the oral contraceptive until bleeding completely stops, and after that you need to return the previous dosage of the drug.
- Since oral contraceptives are supposed to be taken for 21-24 days, and the number of tablets in the blister corresponds to each day of administration, after taking a loading dose, there may not be enough tablets in the package.
- Therefore, you will have to purchase another blister.
Important! As soon as the opportunity arises to visit a gynecologist, this must be done, since breakthrough bleeding may indicate serious problems with the body or a pregnancy.
How long does it normally last?
Normally, withdrawal bleeding that occurs after taking the last tablet from the package should last 3-5 days.
If bleeding continues for more than 7 days, this is a good reason to consult a doctor.
When taking Jess Plus
Jess Plus is a multiphase oral contraceptive, which, in addition to the main active ingredient, contains an additional one - calcium.
When taking this drug, patients may experience profuse bloody secretion, which appears more often over time and lasts longer. If such phenomena occur during the first time of taking the drug, they are not considered dangerous, and after the end of the adaptation period they go away on their own.
In addition, at the end of the cycle after taking Jess, there may be no menstrual bleeding at all; instead, spotting may be observed.
They are considered normal in the first three months. Their duration can be long - two weeks, this is also a variant of the norm, provided that the discharge is spotting and not abundant.
Possible negative effects
Side effects of taking Jess are the following:
- Breast engorgement during the first 2-3 cycles of taking the drug. After the body adapts to taking the oral contraceptive, this symptom should go away.
- Spotting during various periods of the cycle. This symptom also in most cases goes away after several cycles of use. If after 3 months a woman continues to observe it, she should consult a doctor - perhaps a stronger analogue will be prescribed.
- Increase or decrease in body weight,
- Increased blood clotting rates.
In addition, in some cases, headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, mood swings, and decreased libido may occur.
Breakthrough bleeding when taking Jess is due to the fact that the reproductive organ does not sense natural hormonal surges. In this case, visiting a doctor is charming.
Ways to avoid
You cannot risk your health and hope that taking hormonal contraceptives will not affect the female reproductive system.
Attention! Contraceptive drugs need to be selected correctly, taken according to the schedule and stopped correctly.
In order not to encounter the problem under discussion, stopping pills should follow the following rules:
- You should stop taking oral contraceptives after taking the last pill from the pack.
- Before deciding to cancel, you should consult your doctor.
- You may need to get your hormone levels tested.
Important! It is prohibited to stop taking contraceptives in the middle of the pack.
But in some cases, abruptly stopping taking medications is a vital necessity, for example, with:
- the onset of pregnancy;
- thrombosis;
- diagnosis of malignant neoplasms;
- liver pathologies;
- diabetes mellitus;
- more frequent attacks of hypertension.
In this case, stopping taking the pills should be done at any time, but under the close supervision of a doctor. It is important to understand that in this case withdrawal bleeding is inevitable.
The video explains the basic rules for taking birth control pills:
After discontinuation of Duphaston
Duphaston is prescribed to women to correct the following diseases:
- endometriosis;
- infertility;
- risk of miscarriage;
- premenstrual syndrome;
- uterine bleeding;
- dysmenorrhea;
- secondary amenorrhea.
Despite the fact that this drug treats uterine bleeding, after discontinuation it can itself provoke spotting.
To prevent this from happening, before you start taking it you must:
- Donate blood to determine the concentration of estrogen and progesterone in the blood.
- Do a bacterial culture for the presence of microflora in the vagina.
- Perform an ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
Since the drug must be taken a few days after the start of menstruation, it is necessary to accurately determine the time of ovulation. To do this, you need to measure your basal temperature over a couple of weeks. When ovulation occurs, the basal temperature rises to 37.3-37.5 degrees. As soon as there is a sharp increase in temperature, it is necessary to start taking the drug.
Reference! If a woman needs to stop taking the drug, she should consult a doctor who will explain in detail how to do this correctly. This is especially important for women who have been taking this drug for a long period of time.
After discontinuation of contraceptive drugs, the work of the ovaries can be significantly activated. This increased activity can lead to a number of side effects, but can also be used to speed up the process of conception.
The video describes the action of the drug Duphaston:
Taking oral contraceptives requires a woman to be disciplined and very carefully monitor her health.
Do not think that taking contraceptives means swallowing a pill occasionally or only after sexual intercourse. Each blister of tablets is equipped with a special scheme that must be followed.
Source: https://doctor-krov.com/krovotecheniya/krovotechenie-otmeny.html
How long can bleeding last?
In the first 2-3 months, 40% of women report spotting when using hormonal contraceptives - this is how much time the body needs to adapt to the constant supply of hormones from the outside. In 10% of patients, the adaptation period extends for 6 months - they note scanty discharge with the presence of blood. 5% of women experience significant disturbances when using OCs - secretion with blood persists after changing several drugs, so they are forced to completely abandon this method of contraception.
The duration of the adaptation period depends on many factors:
- the age of the patient (especially when prescribing the drug for the first time over the age of 30);
- presence of problems with hormonal levels;
- bad habits (extend the period of addiction);
- compliance with the instructions for taking the drug;
- insufficient dose of hormones;
- diseases of the reproductive system.
Much depends on the woman’s compliance with the medication schedule - pills should not be skipped, they should be taken at approximately the same time. Oral contraceptives should be chosen together with a doctor - independent purchase is unacceptable.
Breakthrough bleeding while taking OCs (oral contraceptives)
Bleeding while taking birth control pills is a common side effect of this group of drugs. If the bleeding is light, it can be considered a side effect of the body becoming accustomed to birth control pills.
Reference! According to statistics, 40% of women experience bloody spotting in the first couple of months of taking the drugs. In some cases, such an adaptation period can last six months, and in 5% of women it lasts for an even longer time.
If the bleeding is heavy and resembles menstruation, it is breakthrough bleeding.
How to stop bleeding
When there is no opportunity to see a doctor, and the symptoms of bleeding when taking (OK) are severe, then take a double dose of the hormonal drug prescribed by the doctor. The best option is to take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 in the evening, this will stop withdrawal bleeding.
In case of severe uterine bleeding with deterioration of the general condition, you should call an ambulance. Before her arrival, the patient must be provided with bed rest, with a pillow or cushion placed under her feet. Apply something cold to the lower abdomen, such as ice from the freezer, wrapped in several layers of cloth. This will narrow the blood vessels and slightly reduce blood loss. Provide plenty of fluids: give tea with sugar to replenish blood glucose.
It is forbidden to place any warm objects on the stomach - this accelerates inflammatory processes. Vaginal douching should not be done due to a possible increase in blood loss. The ban is on taking any baths, especially with hot water, which will lead to a deterioration in the patient’s condition.
In some cases, medications are used to stop uterine bleeding. The frequency of administration, duration and quantity of drugs are prescribed by the doctor after diagnosing the body:
- Etamsylate or Dicinone. Medicines with the same principle of operation, which promote increased production of thromboplastin and affect the permeability of blood vessels. As a result, blood clotting increases and bleeding is eliminated. Administered intramuscularly.
- Aminocaproic acid. Reduces the time of spontaneous dissolution of blood clots, which reduces the intensity of blood loss. Administered intravenously, orally in tablet form.
- Oxytocin. Administered intravenously along with glucose. It affects the intensity of contractions of the uterine muscles, is a hormonal agent and is used during labor. Increased muscle tone of the uterus reduces blood loss. The medicine has a lot of side effects, so it is used after taking a detailed medical history of the patient.
- Vikasol, vitamin K. Replenishes vitamin K deficiency, which affects blood clotting. It is prescribed to persons with heavy bleeding not only in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The effect occurs after 10 hours; in emergency cases the medicine is not prescribed.
- Calcium gluconate. Calcium reduces vascular permeability, which leads to improved blood clotting. Used to strengthen the condition of blood vessels, do not use as an emergency measure.
It is prohibited to take medications on your own - such actions may cause complications and worsen the patient’s general condition. Only a specialist with appropriate specialized education has the right to prescribe medications after collecting data and diagnosing the general condition of the body.
Types of discharge after birth control
The characteristic acyclic bleeding after taking birth control pills is conventionally divided into several types, depending on the period of occurrence of this symptom. The main types and characteristics of vaginal intermenstrual bleeding while taking contraceptive tablets will be discussed in detail below.
Adaptive
If a woman bleeds when taking birth control pills at the very beginning, then we are talking about the so-called adaptation bleeding associated with a change in the balance of sex hormones in the body. The normal range for the duration of the adaptation period is 2-3 months. As a rule, the discharge disappears on its own without drug correction. If the bleeding does not stop after 5 months while taking hormonal birth control pills, the woman needs to change the contraceptive or choose an alternative method of contraception.
In the middle of the cycle
The main cause of bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle while taking tablet contraceptives is estrogen deficiency in the female body. Another common factor is the incomplete period of adaptation of the woman’s body to new dosages of hormones.
Withdrawal bleeding
After finishing taking tablet contraceptives, a woman may experience bleeding from the genital tract of varying degrees of intensity. Often, spotting at the end of taking tablet oral contraceptives is breakthrough in nature and is abundant. If the volume of discharge is insignificant, then we are talking about the normal process of restoring female hormonal levels after discontinuation of the drug.
As a rule, characteristic spotting appears in a woman 1-2 days after stopping the medication. In 50% of women who stop taking contraceptives, the discharge disappears on its own after 1.5-2 weeks. The duration of bleeding from the genital tract after discontinuation of contraceptives is influenced by factors such as the woman’s age, as well as the total duration of the period of taking the medication.
After emergency contraception
After using emergency contraceptive pills, women in 50% of cases experience bleeding from the genital tract. The reason for the development of this symptom is the synthetic gestagen levonorgestrel, which is part of postcoital contraception. This substance changes the ratio of hormones in the female body, leading to temporary disruption of menstrual function. The normal duration of bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle while taking Postinor or another emergency contraceptive is no more than 7 days.
It is important to pay attention not only to the duration, but also to the volume of discharge. If the frequency of changing sanitary pads is more than 1 pc. per hour, then we are talking about opened bleeding
This condition is a reason for emergency hospitalization
per hour, then we are talking about opened bleeding. This condition is a reason for emergency hospitalization.
Stopping birth control pills: consequences for women
When taking contraceptives in tablets according to instructions, menstrual flow does not stop. They still make themselves felt every month, but their frequency becomes clear (28 days exactly) and their intensity is moderate. Spotting may occur on any day of the cycle at the very beginning of taking contraceptives, indicating a restructuring of the body.
Natural acyclic bleeding should have the following characteristics:
- duration of episodic discharge up to 3 months;
- small amount (2–3 panty liners per day);
- brown or red (see photo).
Brown discharge This phenomenon does not require discontinuation of the course or replacement of the contraceptive. It is enough to wait for the reproductive system to stabilize and get used to new conditions.
The protective (contraceptive) function of the drug is not reduced if a woman periodically bleeds. It is important to adhere to the pill regimen without missing a day, and then such secretion will not be considered a side effect.
Read in one of our articles what other causes of bleeding between periods may be.
OC withdrawal syndrome: adverse effects
For 2-3 months after stopping use of the drug, a woman may notice a change in the menstrual cycle - shortening or lengthening it.
A cycle duration of up to 36 days is considered normal and does not require any special treatment.
In some cases, women may experience a delay in menstruation after stopping birth control pills, sometimes for 2-3 months.
When discontinuing the pills, patients often notice increased hair loss, up to the formation of bald patches.
This is caused by a sharp change in hormonal levels and the body needs time to restore the functioning of all organs and systems.
In most cases, after a couple of months the condition of the hair follicles returns to normal, but if hair loss continues 2-3 months after stopping the drug, consultation with specialists is required.
The effect of COCs on the body
Combined hormonal contraceptives (COCs) are products containing a minimal amount of female sex hormones that affect the reproductive system.
After starting to take oral contraceptives, the menstrual cycle changes and the maturation of the egg stops. The peristalsis of the fallopian tubes, which ensures the release of the female reproductive cell, is weakened.
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Additionally, medications have an effect on the endometrium and prevent the attachment of a fertilized egg if it does meet a sperm. The drugs thicken cervical mucus, which normally promotes sperm movement. The mucus closes the cervical canal and the movement of cells becomes impossible.
In addition to the contraceptive effect, the products normalize hormonal levels, the menstrual cycle, and have a positive effect on the general condition of a woman, provided that they are taken correctly. Patients with elevated levels of male sex hormones in the blood experience a significant improvement in their condition: a decrease in the amount of body hair, a decrease in sebum production, and the disappearance of acne.
In case of endometriosis, contraceptives stop the progression of the disease, the formation of new lesions, and the transition of the disease to malignancy. If you follow the specialist’s recommendations, the likelihood of developing inflammatory pathologies of the pelvic organs, ectopic pregnancy, and cancer is reduced.
How long can bleeding last?
When taking hormonal pills, obvious bleeding occurs in the first three months in 40% of women. This secretion is a consequence of the contraceptive effect. This is how much time the reproductive system needs to adapt to changes in hormonal balance. And only 10% of the patients surveyed noted scant traces of blood on their daily diaries for six months.
Significant disorders in the form of bleeding after OC were diagnosed only in 5% of women. The secretion in the blood continued to persist even after repeated changes in medications, so I had to give up the pills and also undergo examination in the hospital.
Source: https://mamo-miass.ru/gormony/maznya-posle-otmeny-protivozachatochnyh.html
Microdosed, low dosed, high dosed
Microdosed products are prescribed to girls who have not given birth and adolescents with cycle disorders. The constant dosage of ethinyl estradiol in these drugs is about 20 mcg, and progestin - from 70 to 150 mcg. Such contraceptives are: Logest, Novinet, Jess Plus, Lindinet-20, Mercilon.
For those women who experience spotting after a microdose, as well as women who have given birth in the past, tablets with low doses of estrogen are recommended, namely: “Diane-35”, “Yarina”, “Janine”, “Marvelon”, “Silhouette” ", "Regulon", "Tri-Mercy", etc. Products in this category contain ethinyl estradiol (30 mcg) and progestins - from 150 to 300 mcg.
High-dose contraceptives are usually prescribed as a treatment for pathologies such as endometriosis, or during the treatment of hormonal imbalances. These include: “Ovidon”, “Tri-regol”, “Non-ovlon”, etc. Such medications are also used as a means of contraception.
What a woman needs to know before starting birth control pills
Bloody discharge throughout the use of hormonal drugs for unwanted pregnancy is the most common side effect of this method of contraception. If in the first few weeks from the start of taking the pills, discharge of varying strengths began, regardless of the period of the menstrual cycle, this is not a reason to panic.
Modern methods of contraception are quite diverse, and specialists will be able to help any young patient. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid most of the negative consequences for the female body, which, of course, is bleeding when taking hormonal tablet contraceptives. If they occur, then there is no need to panic, but you should definitely visit a doctor.
Bleeding while taking birth control pills. Menstruation after abortion. Brown discharge between periods: causes.
Bleeding while taking birth control pills. Brown discharge after menstruation.
The contraceptive effect is maintained. . Bleeding while taking birth control pills.
Bleeding while taking birth control pills. No menstruation while taking Qlaira is a reason.
Why is it prescribed? Zoely is a modern contraceptive drug. . Bleeding while taking birth control pills.
Bleeding while taking birth control pills. You may also have periods after stopping Zoely.
Previously asked:
Good afternoon I have been drinking Lindinet 20 since the first day of my menstrual cycle! My period lasted 10 days, then everything became normal for 6 days, and then scanty brown discharge began. Since I had to go on vacation, I started the second pack right away, without a break, and on the 11th tablet my period started. Is this normal, maybe change the drug? Or should I stop taking birth control pills completely?
Hello, Diana 35 was on the pill for the first month, she had spotting all the time, tomorrow she should start taking a new pack of pills, but on the second day there is heavy bleeding, I can only get to the gynecologist in 2 days. Please tell me, should I start taking a new pack of pills or stop taking OK? Thank you.
Hello! You should immediately consult a doctor if you use more than 3 maxi pads per hour, or if there are a lot of clots. Spotting often occurs in the first month of taking OK. Now I will recommend you the following: 1. start drinking a new package 2. at the same time take hemostatic drugs - etamzilate, tranexam or ascorutin 3. if the discharge is less and stops completely, then the adaptation period has passed; if they are abundant or spotting again, consult a doctor. You should choose another OC or even choose a different method of contraception. Another question is if Diane was prescribed to you for therapeutic purposes. You can figure this out only with a personal meeting. All the best!
Bleeding while taking birth control pills. Menstruation after abortion. Brown discharge between periods: causes.
Bleeding while taking birth control pills. Brown discharge after menstruation.
The contraceptive effect is maintained. . Bleeding while taking birth control pills.
Bleeding while taking birth control pills. No menstruation while taking Qlaira is a reason.
What to do if withdrawal bleeding does not occur
Withdrawal bleeding for women who take oral contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy is considered normal.
They should be warned about this by the attending physician who prescribes this or that drug.
As a rule, the annotations for contraceptives do not contain information on how to properly stop taking medications. Therefore, women believe that they can stop taking oral contraceptives on any day of the menstrual cycle.
Attention! This is wrong - you need to stop taking the pills only after the entire package is finished and your period comes. After this, the woman may no longer start a new package.
If you abruptly stop taking the pills, severe bleeding may occur, which is triggered by a sharp increase in hormonal levels.
Types of discharge and their features
At the beginning of the appointment
Sometimes minor bleeding appears in the first days after the end of menstruation, usually in the first month after starting to take contraceptives.
If the discharge does not stop after the end of the adaptation period, this may be a sign that the chosen contraceptive contains too little estrogen. In this case, you need to choose another drug after consulting your doctor.
At the end of the package
Continued bleeding at the end of the cycle indicates insufficient concentration of gestagen; this situation also requires a change in contraceptive.
Minor spotting should not cause concern to a woman; this side effect is mentioned in all instructions for taking oral contraceptives. But in some cases, bleeding between periods takes on a breakthrough character. If this is not associated with any pathologies, then this phenomenon is usually also associated with a period of adaptation of the body to changes in hormonal levels.
Breakthrough bleeding when using OCs is divided into types depending on the time of occurrence. All types of violations are described in the table.
At the beginning of the appointment | A slight discharge of blood may appear after the end of menstruation. This symptom occurs within 1-3 months of using the medicine and is adaptive. Violation in the normal course does not require intervention from a doctor. |
At the end of the packaging application | If bleeding occurs when a woman finishes using a pack of contraceptives, this indicates a lack of progestogen. There is a need to change the drug used. |
Heavy bleeding | Heavy breakthrough bleeding indicates the hormonal levels are adjusting to new conditions. Pathology can be indicated by a symptom present for a long period of time. |
For any bleeding, it is advisable to consult a doctor. It is necessary to report the time of onset of the symptom, the characteristics of color and volume, and also talk about additional signs that are likely to be present.
If there is bleeding, it is important to see a doctor
Bleeding may also increase after taking an almost full package of medications. A similar symptom indicates a low concentration of progesterone in the intended contraceptive. In both cases, to stop bleeding, it is enough to select the required dose of hormones.
Most often, this situation occurs when women take synthetic hormones to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Bleeding after stopping birth control pills is of the same nature as spotting under the influence of contraceptives. The patient’s body has already adapted to the constant supply of hormones, the percentage of estrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream has stabilized.
Stopping taking the medicine and even missing one or more tablets causes a sharp disruption of hormonal levels and, as a result, irregularities in the menstrual cycle. In addition to such situations, acyclic bleeding can result from taking antibiotics, tranquilizers, and medications along with hormonal contraceptives.
No withdrawal bleeding after skipping a pill
Withdrawal bleeding for women who take oral contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancy is considered normal.
They should be warned about this by the attending physician who prescribes this or that drug.
As a rule, the annotations for contraceptives do not contain information on how to properly stop taking medications. Therefore, women believe that they can stop taking oral contraceptives on any day of the menstrual cycle.
Attention! This is wrong; you need to stop taking the pills only after the entire package is finished and your period begins. After this, the woman may no longer start a new package.
If you abruptly stop taking the pills, severe bleeding may occur, which is triggered by a sharp increase in hormonal levels.
What it is?
Withdrawal bleeding is artificially induced menstruation.
That is, a woman takes an oral contraceptive according to the schedule during the cycle, and after the drug is stopped, menstruation or withdrawal bleeding occurs.
If it is not profuse, there is no need to stop it, but if the bleeding lasts more than a week or the volume of blood lost is significant, you should consult a doctor to prescribe a hemostatic agent.
Important! The issue of discontinuing an oral contraceptive must be approached very responsibly, since in some cases, after withdrawal bleeding, a woman requires curettage, and this procedure postpones the possibility of conception for several months.
Breakthrough bleeding while taking OCs (oral contraceptives)
Bleeding when taking birth control pills is a common occurrence and is a side effect of this group of drugs. If the bleeding is light, it can be considered a side effect of the body becoming accustomed to birth control pills.
Reference! According to statistics, 40% of women experience bloody spotting in the first couple of months of taking the drugs. In some cases, such an adaptation period can last six months, and in 5% of women it lasts for an even longer time.
If the bleeding is heavy and resembles menstruation, it is breakthrough bleeding.
The reasons for this phenomenon lie in the fact that during the adaptation period, atrophy of the endometrial layer increases. This is due to the influence of progesterones, while the estrogen concentration in the oral contraceptive is so low that it cannot provide a hemostatic function.
During the natural menstrual cycle, the level of estrogen in the female body increases, so endometrial detachment stops and menstruation ends. When taking synthetic hormones, these processes do not always go smoothly.
In addition, breakthrough bleeding can be caused by the following reasons:
- The presence of gynecological pathologies in a woman - uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polyps in the uterus and others.
- The bad habit of smoking has an anti-estrogenic effect, which means that women who smoke are more at risk of bleeding.
- Taking the pills incorrectly means abruptly stopping or skipping them.
- Concomitant use of certain medications with birth control pills.
- Vomiting or diarrhea, in which the absorption of drugs does not occur.
- Simultaneous use of oral contraceptives with herbal remedies based on St. John's wort.
- The presence of sexually transmitted infections.
- The presence of individual intolerance to the drug.
If you have finished taking birth control pills, but your period does not begin, and pregnancy tests are negative, you should immediately consult a doctor.
How to stop?
What to do if the discharge is too heavy and lasts for more than a week?
Of course, it is best to talk to your doctor about withdrawal bleeding.
But if this is not possible, you can try taking a double dose of the drug, for example, 1 tablet in the morning and evening:
- In this mode, it is recommended to drink the oral contraceptive until bleeding completely stops, and after that you need to return the previous dosage of the drug.
- Since oral contraceptives are supposed to be taken for 21-24 days, and the number of tablets in the blister corresponds to each day of administration, after taking a loading dose, there may not be enough tablets in the package.
- Therefore, you will have to purchase another blister.
Important! As soon as the opportunity arises to visit a gynecologist, this must be done, since breakthrough bleeding may indicate serious problems with the body or a pregnancy.
In the middle of the cycle
Bloody discharge during the intermenstrual period may indicate insufficient concentration of gestagen or estrogen. In this case, the oral contraceptive taken should be discontinued and replaced with a product with a higher concentration of the active substance.
Most often, bleeding in the middle of the cycle can be observed when taking the following microdose oral contraceptives:
In some cases pink discharge , which indicates that the egg has been released from the follicle, therefore, the woman has a risk of becoming pregnant, despite the fact that she is taking a contraceptive drug. This is not a pathology, but only evidence that the drug being taken does not cope with its tasks.
If bleeding is observed from 6 to 12 days after ovulation , this may indicate pregnancy has already occurred. If bleeding begins when taking the last pills from the package, this indicates a lack of progesterone.
If bleeding begins immediately after starting to take pills from a new package (in the first days after the end of menstruation), this means that the body does not have enough estrogen, which should restore the uterine layer. All such violations must be reported to the attending physician.
What is intermenstrual bleeding when taking birth control pills is explained in the video:
How long does it normally last?
Normally, withdrawal bleeding that occurs after taking the last tablet from the package should last 3-5 days.
If bleeding continues for more than 7 days, this is a good reason to consult a doctor.
When taking Jess Plus
Jess Plus is a multiphase oral contraceptive, which, in addition to the main active ingredient, contains an additional one - calcium.
When taking this drug, patients may experience profuse bloody secretion, which appears more often over time and lasts longer. If such phenomena occur during the first time of taking the drug, they are not considered dangerous, and after the end of the adaptation period they go away on their own.
In addition, at the end of the cycle after taking Jess, there may be no menstrual bleeding at all; instead, spotting may be observed.
They are considered normal in the first three months. Their duration can be long - two weeks, this is also a variant of the norm, provided that the discharge is spotting and not abundant.
Possible negative effects
Side effects of taking Jess are the following:
- Breast engorgement during the first 2-3 cycles of taking the drug. After the body adapts to taking the oral contraceptive, this symptom should go away.
- Spotting during various periods of the cycle. This symptom also in most cases goes away after several cycles of use. If after 3 months a woman continues to observe it, she should consult a doctor - perhaps a stronger analogue will be prescribed.
- Increase or decrease in body weight,
- Increased blood clotting rates.
In addition, in some cases, headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, mood swings, and decreased libido may occur.
Breakthrough bleeding when taking Jess is due to the fact that the reproductive organ does not sense natural hormonal surges. In this case, visiting a doctor is charming.
Ways to avoid
You cannot risk your health and hope that taking hormonal contraceptives will not affect the female reproductive system.
Attention! Contraceptive drugs need to be selected correctly, taken according to the schedule and stopped correctly.
In order not to encounter the problem under discussion, stopping pills should follow the following rules:
- You should stop taking oral contraceptives after taking the last pill from the pack.
- Before deciding to cancel, you should consult your doctor.
- You may need to get your hormone levels tested.
Important! It is prohibited to stop taking contraceptives in the middle of the pack.
But in some cases, abruptly stopping taking medications is a vital necessity, for example, with:
- the onset of pregnancy,
- thrombosis,
- diagnosis of malignant neoplasms,
- liver pathologies,
- diabetes mellitus,
- more frequent attacks of hypertension.
Source: https://sfmggu.ru/posle-propuska-tabletki-net-krovotecheniya-otmeny/
Causes of the phenomenon
Perhaps bleeding when using one or another oral contraceptive can be called a very common and unpleasant side effect of this type of drug. Insignificant, mild bleeding when taking OCs is very likely at the stage of the body’s adaptation to these tablets.
For 10% of women, the adaptation period can last six months. But there are still approximately 5% of girls who experience bleeding even after addiction is completed. Moreover, repeated replacement of products also does not eliminate the negative side effect.
However, why are such phenomena observed? A woman’s menstrual cycle is a chain of sequential changes associated with significant changes in the concentrations of hormones in the blood. In the first stages of the cycle, estrogen is produced in larger volumes.
The maximum concentration of this hormone in a girl’s body is observed on the days of ovulation, and then, if conception does not occur, it gradually decreases. Simultaneously with the fall in estrogen levels, there is an increase in the concentration of progesterone - it is he who is responsible for the rejection of the endometrial layer in the uterus. The latter process is manifested by menstruation.
In other words, nature made sure that the female body produces different concentrations of hormones during different phases of the cycle. It should be noted that all OCs today include small doses of active substances, and such a volume may initially simply not be enough to cover the natural level of these compounds. That is why a certain period (adaptation) is necessary so that the woman’s body gets used to small dosages of hormones and does not reject the endometrial layer earlier than the expected period (that is, before the completion of the capsules in the contraceptive package).
When, while taking a new OC, blood is released in an insignificant volume, and intimate hygiene requires only a few daily pads per day, there is no point in taking any measures, since often the body itself copes with such a side effect of the drug. Such discharge does not pose a threat to a woman’s health, and its presence during the first three months of use does not require discontinuation or replacement of the OC.
In addition, it must be emphasized that the presence of such bleeding does not reduce the contraceptive effect of OCs. The only thing you should not forget about is taking your pills on time. Moreover, the release of blood does not become an obstacle to intimacy if both partners do not neglect the rules of personal hygiene
It is extremely important to understand that there are no “good” or “bad” contraceptives, but there are those that are suitable or not suitable for a certain representative of the fair sex. But what to do if minor bleeding is observed even after the adaptation period has ended?
So, when addiction is complete, and slight blood loss is observed in the initial phase or in the middle of the cycle, this indicates a low dosage of the estrogen component in the OC, so it is likely that the problem will be solved by selecting a product with a higher content of this hormone.
If adaptation is complete, and bleeding in the middle of the cycle or towards its end continues to be observed, it makes sense to think about the deficiency of the gestagen component. This means that you need to start taking the drug with a more powerful dose of gestagen. However, if the discharge does not disappear and, on the contrary, intensifies, and is also accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, you should not delay a visit to the gynecologist.
How to properly stop taking hormonal contraceptives?
Many women are very afraid of the consequences of stopping birth control pills and, despite the discomfort and desire to quit, continue to buy new packages of the drug.
As a rule, it is best to discontinue hormonal oral contraceptives after finishing taking the last pill from the pack, after which the woman should begin menstrual-like bleeding, or so-called withdrawal bleeding.
In order for the female body to respond as painlessly as possible to the withdrawal of drug treatment, certain rules should be followed:
- Be sure to consult with a gynecologist (there are situations when canceling treatment is strictly contraindicated, as this will lead to a deterioration in the general condition);
- Take tests to determine the level of sex hormones in the body;
- Finishing the started pack - abruptly stopping the drug in the middle of the cycle - is a big stress for the reproductive system and the uterus will most likely react with heavy bleeding, there will be a kind of withdrawal effect.
Of course, it is advisable to finish the package of tablets to the end if you decide to stop using OCs and minimize negative reactions, but in some cases a woman urgently needs to stop taking it. Such situations include:
- Suspicion of pregnancy;
- Development of thrombosis;
- Detection of malignant neoplasms;
- Development of liver diseases;
- Diabetes;
- Arterial hypertension.
After abrupt withdrawal of the drug, a woman should be regularly examined by a gynecologist, since in such situations the risk of developing serious complications increases.
It is most correct to discontinue the OC after finishing taking all the tablets from the package. In this case, the likelihood of hormonal imbalance is minimal. When women stop taking contraceptives, they experience menstrual-like bleeding, which is called withdrawal bleeding. Most often they appear 1-2 days after stopping taking birth control pills.
The issue of discontinuing hormonal medications must be agreed upon with the gynecologist observing the woman. You should postpone giving up OK for a while if:
- acute infectious inflammation of the genital organs - OCs increase the viscosity of cervical mucus, preventing the penetration of the infectious agent into the uterine cavity;
- high risk of ectopic pregnancy;
- the patient’s reluctance to become pregnant if it is impossible to use other means of protection;
- severe form of anemia.
Stopping birth control pills after a certain period of use is usually necessary in two cases:
- the first is a complete refusal of hormonal oral contraceptives;
- the second is changing birth control pills.
In the first case, the question immediately arises of how and when to stop taking birth control hormonal pills so that the withdrawal symptoms of the contraceptive are less painful. To ensure that the period of withdrawal from taking oral contraceptive pills is accompanied by a minimum of adverse reactions, three basic rules should be strictly followed:
- You should not stop taking OK without first consulting a gynecologist;
- you cannot stop taking pills without finishing the cycle;
- cessation of taking contraceptives should not occur abruptly, but in accordance with the dose reduction regimen drawn up by the doctor.
withdrawal bleeding when taking ok
Girls, I’m probably writing not to hear advice, as it’s unlikely that anything can be advised here due to the difficult situation (I live outside the Russian Federation), but just to cry, because I’m already giving up and there’s a feeling of hopelessness. I just need to speak out at least...
I've written here a couple of times already. My story is that about a year ago some gynecological problems began, although before that I had never had problems as a woman. Due to my husband’s work, we live outside of Russia for long periods of time. For the same reason, we are not planning a baby yet (although we really want to). Due to my departure, I was able to see a gynecologist in Moscow only in December last year. I passed a bunch of tests. They discovered a polyp in the uterus, and among the infections, only Gardnerella - tank vaginosis. I took a bunch of pills and my smear returned to normal. The polyp did not come out with duphaston. I had to have a hysterectomy in January. The hystera went well, but at the control ultrasound a week after the operation there was a new problem - a follicular cyst on the uterus. Ok, again pills and duf. The cyst went away with my period.
GN prescribed vitamins and OK Klaira for one month. I collected all the pills in a pile and flew to my husband abroad.
For one month, while I was drinking OK, everything was fine. And so, starting from the month of cancellation, that is, from March, kabzdets began.
The first menstruation after the withdrawal went well. I managed to rejoice. And after a couple of days I felt the first bells: nagging pains began in the lower abdomen on the sides. At the same time, at the same time, symptoms of bacterial vaginosis began. I got scared and wrote to my GN by email from Moscow time. She replied that I most likely have ovulatory syndrome, and vaginosis should be treated with fluomizin (I had 2 packages with me). There is nothing to do, I began to undergo treatment again. The pain went away after about 5-7 days. Itching, burning and discharge around the same time.
I calmed down - everything seemed to have passed.
My period came and went again, and the situation repeated itself exactly! The same pain, and again vaginosis 4 days after the end of M. I was still taking vitamins at that time, but in the end I decided to stop taking the vitamins, thinking that maybe they were giving me such a reaction. I had to use my second pack of fluomizin and vaginorm S.
In the third cycle, everything repeated according to the same pattern, only neither vaginosis (or something similar to vaginosis) nor pain left me until menstruation. And during M., the infection went even further, to the bladder, and cystitis was added to all the suffering.
I went to the local doctor. I have commercial insurance here, so I chose the only possible doctor from a small list with more or less normal reviews. I came to the appointment and explained all the problems. They took a swab and did a urine test. While the tests are being prepared, the doctor prescribed ciprofloxacin for 7 days. I asked for another ultrasound and blood test. But she looked at me with round eyes (like who is the doctor here) and said that the pain would go away after antibiotics.
Ok, I started taking an antibiotic. The pain from cystitis has subsided, but the nagging pain in the ovaries and lower abdomen remains (again, the middle of the cycle). On the 7th day of taking ciprofloxacin (this was the 15th day of the cycle), bloody discharge began. I'm panicking again. But as luck would have it, the doctor was not in the hospital that week. As a result, they signed me up, as it later turned out, to see a most monstrous doctor. He examined me in 4 minutes. He said that the blood was due to antibiotics, and that everything was fine with me, that the smear only contained Garndnerella (again) and that all the pain and blood would go away after taking metronidazole. I asked, what if I have a cyst there?? He said there is no cyst, everything is ok. I left the clinic devastated. But since my spotting didn’t seem to be going away, I decided to once again go to the doctor who saw me.
In general, she confirmed the words of this terrible doctor about breakthrough bleeding due to antibiotics, but I was still able to insist on an ultrasound.
They made an appointment for me to have an ultrasound a week and a half later (there was a daub all this time). My period came 3 days earlier and ended very quickly (by 5 dc compared to my usual 7 days). An ultrasound showed the presence of a cyst in the lymph node. As I wrote earlier in my diary. Here, ultrasound results are not given in hand. Everything is sent immediately to the doctor. Therefore, I don’t yet know what kind of cyst it is, its size, etc.
Before my next period, I took metronidazole against bak. vaginosis. The itching and irritation are completely gone, but the nagging pain remains. Now they have become my eternal companion
A couple of days ago my husband and I tried PA for the first time in a long time. It was at 8 dc. At 9 dc everything was ok. And today, at 10 dc, a brown spot with mucus began (sorry for the details) and again all the symptoms of cystitis.
_____
I'm horrified by this whole situation.
I took 2 strong antibiotics, but they didn’t help me at all.
I've forgotten the last time I felt good. Some kind of incessant agony of pain and problems.
Personal life has been completely zero for almost 3 months now. The husband doesn’t seem to say anything, but you can’t get into his head (who needs an always sick wife)
I asked if it could also be treated, just in case, but they said no, since gardnerella is not treated in men. But it turns out that after each PA it becomes even worse than it is.
On the ultrasound, which took exactly 2 minutes, they saw only a cyst. But with a cyst, will your whole stomach hurt? I think with horror, what if I got an infection during mysteria and now everything there is inflamed?
I can’t change doctor and I don’t know what to do in this situation. After all, with this approach that we have here, I am more than sure that she will prescribe me another dose of antibiotics and that’s it.
I won't be able to get to Russia until December this year.
And most importantly, because of all this, I had a wild fear that I would lose the ability to have children, and that these problems about which I wrote such a chaotic text would never end.
Please support me. I do not know what to do((((
What to do if the menstrual cycle does not return?
If, after stopping COCs, your periods do not come, a logical question arises: why did they disappear? There are several reasons why they are missing:
Onset of pregnancy
Withdrawal syndrome sharply increases the likelihood of a healthy woman conceiving a child, since a kind of reboot of the reproductive system occurs. Pregnancy can occur as early as the first menstrual cycle. After fertilization occurs, the physiological disappearance of menstruation occurs.
Menstrual irregularities
If there is a sudden cessation of taking COCs, a hormonal imbalance occurs. Spotting and spotting appears, which the woman easily mistakes for menstruation. When she calculates the length of the cycle, the number of days increases to almost 50 days. After discontinuation of the drug, experts recommend that women begin counting menstruation from the first days of full-fledged bleeding.
Amenorrhea
A small proportion of women experience amenorrhea – absence of menstruation – after stopping the use of oral contraceptives. This is believed to be an adverse effect caused by the use of COCs. The cause of the phenomenon is impaired activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary system with subsequent failure of hormone production.
If amenorrhea is observed for 3 months, it is recommended to consult a women's doctor and endocrinologist to find out the cause and select a method of therapy.
Diseases of the reproductive system
Combined oral contraceptives cannot protect a woman from sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, etc.). If inflammation begins in the reproductive organs, a disorder of the menstrual cycle occurs with a delay in menstruation. To identify an infection, you must be examined by a doctor.
Ovarian and thyroid dysfunction
With pathology of the endocrine organs, hormone production fails, which leads to a change in the cycle. It often turns out that COCs were prescribed against the background of existing problems. Taking hormonal drugs suppressed the development of the disease, but after discontinuation, rapid progression of the pathology occurred. In this situation, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.