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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Contraceptive Pills?

Posted on Mon, 14 Mar 2016

Question: My stomach "feels different" but I've had what are seemingly periods for three months after taking birth control. They're a bit lighter though, but heavier than just spotting. Could I be experiencing pregnancy related bleeding instead of a true period?

I meant to say after stopping birth control

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not related to pregnancy

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Warm Welcome.
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
I am slightly confused here.
From what I understand, you have stopped taking birth control since 3 months.
And you are having very light periods.
That is quite normal.
After stopping birth control, it can take upto 3 - 6 months for your body to adjust to the hormone withdrawal, and for normal periods to resume.
SO please do not worry.
Since pregnancy tests are negative, there is no question of a pregnancy here.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (9 hours later)

Would the bleedimg I've been experiencing while off birth control be an actual period if I've taken one dose of emergency contraception in that month?

Why is it that some women don't test positive until their sixth month or so?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
Emergency contraception may lead to withdrawal bleed, and may not.
It is not related to the menstrual bleeding pattern.
Very rarely, women do not test positive until the sixth month.
And pregnancy would show up on a B HCG ( blood test ) and most definitely on an ultrasound scan.
Get those done, you would be convinced then.
Take care.
You can reach me directly anytime, using the following link -
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aarti-abraham/64623

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

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 days later)

For future reference:

I started birth control randomly in the middle of my cycle two weeks before the incident in question (missed one pill a couple days before having sex) and he withdrew before ejaculation. Would I have been protected by the pill at the time?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
But you have had three periods since that, right ?

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

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (1 hour later)

I have had bleeding every month but I'm not sure if it's withdrawal bleeding or not. It has become lighter than my normal period and the cycle length has shortened as well. Basically worried it's a cryptic pregnancy. What are the odds of that given my circumstances?

I've been feeling movement in lower abdomen and I'm not able to afford an ultrasound at the time (which is why I'm asking for your expert opinion). Not sure if it's bowel movement/gas from anxiety or undetected pregnancy.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
The odds are zero given that you had consistently negative pregnancy tests.
And yes, the movements are more likely bowel movements.
I hope you can understand that only an ultrasound can tell you that you are not pregnant.
A blood pregnancy test would be reliable too.
A urine test is also 99 % accurate.
My expert opinion on this - you are not pregnant, just worried out of your mind.
Relax, get the scan done when you can.
You can write in to me anytime, using the following link -
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aarti-abraham/64623
Take care.

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

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (8 hours later)

So even though I'm a bit overweight, seeing a pulse in my stomach while laying down would NOT be pregnancy related??

(LAST question! Thank you for your patience)

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
No, it would not be pregnancy related .
Please get a scan when you can since you are so worried about it.
Feel free to write in to me anytime.
Take care.

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