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Does Regular Use Of Hormonal Contraceptive Pills Result In Breakthrough Bleeding?
Question: Hello, I've been on the pill now for over 2 years and recently I've been skipping my period for a while now. I recently went on leave from work and up until then I would only every get minor breakthrough spotting which would often stop less than 1 day later. I was away form work for about a month having knee surgery and since returning to work I have had troubles in that I am consistently getting brown discharge consistently. It has been going away 2 days later and then comes back. I'm not sure what's going on but it's very watery in between being brown in colour. I haven't altered the time I take my pills at all nor have I forgotten to take them. The last time I had sex was over 7 months ago and we we used protection, it's just getting really unpredictable and frustrating
Brief Answer:
take a pill free break for 2 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to hcm,
It is common to experience breakthrough bleeding if one remains on hormonal contraceptive pills regularly and for a long time. This is the most common side effect. moreover as you have undergone surgery which adds on to physical stressors and hence can easily disturb your progesterone levels as maintained by pills for so many months now.
As you are not active sexually, it is advisable to give a break of at least 2 months to pills and practice barrier contraception till then so that this developed tolerance can be overcome and then post 2 months you may start again with the same pill brand or may change it.
This would help.
Regards
take a pill free break for 2 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to hcm,
It is common to experience breakthrough bleeding if one remains on hormonal contraceptive pills regularly and for a long time. This is the most common side effect. moreover as you have undergone surgery which adds on to physical stressors and hence can easily disturb your progesterone levels as maintained by pills for so many months now.
As you are not active sexually, it is advisable to give a break of at least 2 months to pills and practice barrier contraception till then so that this developed tolerance can be overcome and then post 2 months you may start again with the same pill brand or may change it.
This would help.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Does diet have anything to so with it! Or does going back to work and syncing with other females have any impact? Ive just seem to notice that i normally am pretty strict with what i eat and a few nights ago i noticed after eating something a bit more fatty it started again.
Brief Answer:
answered
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
its the stress induced increased progestin release which can cause imbalance of already set pill induced hormonal balance on a daily basis. Stress can be physical , emotional, psychological, academic/ work or social, all have a bearing on the reproductive hormones. So a major change in daily life style, eating habit can induce often spotting as break through as well besides prolonged usage of pills and so called developing tolerance.
Regards
answered
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
its the stress induced increased progestin release which can cause imbalance of already set pill induced hormonal balance on a daily basis. Stress can be physical , emotional, psychological, academic/ work or social, all have a bearing on the reproductive hormones. So a major change in daily life style, eating habit can induce often spotting as break through as well besides prolonged usage of pills and so called developing tolerance.
Regards
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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