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What Causes Vaginal Bleeding After Switching Birth Control Pills?
Question: On November 8th I started tri cyclen birth control (triphasic). During the placebo week, I decided to start my new pack instead of having my period because I was in a wedding. However, I ended up starting light bleeding on December 6th but kept taking my pills. Then, I switched to cyclen (monophasic). I switched on December 11th and now on December 17th I am still bleeding. I have to use a light tampon and liner. It is very light compared to my normal period – but when will the bleeding stop? Do I keep taking my pills? Do I stop and let my full on period start and then start again?
Please advise. I am so sick of bleeding.
Please advise. I am so sick of bleeding.
Brief Answer:
HORMONE WITHDRAWAL, NEED MORE DETAILS
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
You should not have switched pills mid pack, that is what is causing this bleeding.
The monophasic Cyclen has lower hormones than the triphasic pills.
So your body is reacting to the hormone withdrawal.
How many pills of the monophasic have you taken so far ( the active ones ) ?
And how many active pills were left in the pack of the triphasic pills before you switched.
More importantly, why did you switch midway ?
Please write back so that I can guide you accordingly .
Take care.
HORMONE WITHDRAWAL, NEED MORE DETAILS
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
You should not have switched pills mid pack, that is what is causing this bleeding.
The monophasic Cyclen has lower hormones than the triphasic pills.
So your body is reacting to the hormone withdrawal.
How many pills of the monophasic have you taken so far ( the active ones ) ?
And how many active pills were left in the pack of the triphasic pills before you switched.
More importantly, why did you switch midway ?
Please write back so that I can guide you accordingly .
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The bleeding had started before I switched packs. Roughly one week before I had switched. I have taken 7 pills on the monophasic. I thought that was what the nurse at my Doctor had told me to do - start with the first pill of monophasic, but I guess I was wrong. I have tried calling to get through but they are so busy, so I thought I would consult.
Here is the timline.
Started triphasic pack 1: Nov 8th
Started triphasic pack 2: Dec 1 (tried to skip period)
Started bleeding: December 6th (still on triphasic)
Started monophasic: December 11th
and I am still bleeding.
I would like to not be bleeding anymore. What is the best approach?
Here is the timline.
Started triphasic pack 1: Nov 8th
Started triphasic pack 2: Dec 1 (tried to skip period)
Started bleeding: December 6th (still on triphasic)
Started monophasic: December 11th
and I am still bleeding.
I would like to not be bleeding anymore. What is the best approach?
Brief Answer:
2 OPTIONS EXPLAINED.
Detailed Answer:
You switched pills midpack ( on the 11th day of triphasic pack 2 ).
Had you wanted to switch you should have had your period ( taken the placebo ) then started with the first pill of monophasic.
Right now to stop bleeding, you just start taking the triphasic from tomorrow ( or today if you have not taken the pill ).
Continue taking the rest of the pack, and then stop, have a period again ( yes, tough ) and then start monophasic if you wish.
Option 2 - stop all pills.
The bleeding will ease off in a few days at the most.
Use backup ( condoms ) and then start a new pack after your next period.
Take care.
Hope this helps.
2 OPTIONS EXPLAINED.
Detailed Answer:
You switched pills midpack ( on the 11th day of triphasic pack 2 ).
Had you wanted to switch you should have had your period ( taken the placebo ) then started with the first pill of monophasic.
Right now to stop bleeding, you just start taking the triphasic from tomorrow ( or today if you have not taken the pill ).
Continue taking the rest of the pack, and then stop, have a period again ( yes, tough ) and then start monophasic if you wish.
Option 2 - stop all pills.
The bleeding will ease off in a few days at the most.
Use backup ( condoms ) and then start a new pack after your next period.
Take care.
Hope this helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So you are saying if I restart the triphasic I will stop bleeding? Do I start at the beginning of the pack or midway?
Brief Answer:
A FRESH PACK
Detailed Answer:
Start a fresh pack and then finish it through this time, if you plan to go with option 1.
A FRESH PACK
Detailed Answer:
Start a fresh pack and then finish it through this time, if you plan to go with option 1.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So, triphasic will make me stop bleeding? Also, I thought monophasic was higher dose than tri?
Brief Answer:
EXPLAINED.
Detailed Answer:
Let me explain.
Monophasic equals the hormone content in the third week of triphasic pills.
Basically, triphasic slowly escalates the hormone content in the body over the course of a month.
You started a fresh pack of triphasic ( when you had the light bleeding ).
That is because the first week has a lower dose of hormones than the third week .
Then you again switched midway to Cyclen before maximum hormonal dose was reached.
It is not so simple as which is higher or lower dosage, both in essence have comparable doses, but tricyclen sequentially reaches the dosage, while monophasic does it drastically.
In your case, probably the drastic high levels of hormones in the cyclen are not suiting you.
SO I suggested switching over to a fresh pack of tricyclen and sticking to it for a month.
Option 2 is also something to be considered, because once you are totally off hormones, you would stop bleeding in a few days.
Then you can wait a month before deciding which pill you want to go with.
Take care.
EXPLAINED.
Detailed Answer:
Let me explain.
Monophasic equals the hormone content in the third week of triphasic pills.
Basically, triphasic slowly escalates the hormone content in the body over the course of a month.
You started a fresh pack of triphasic ( when you had the light bleeding ).
That is because the first week has a lower dose of hormones than the third week .
Then you again switched midway to Cyclen before maximum hormonal dose was reached.
It is not so simple as which is higher or lower dosage, both in essence have comparable doses, but tricyclen sequentially reaches the dosage, while monophasic does it drastically.
In your case, probably the drastic high levels of hormones in the cyclen are not suiting you.
SO I suggested switching over to a fresh pack of tricyclen and sticking to it for a month.
Option 2 is also something to be considered, because once you are totally off hormones, you would stop bleeding in a few days.
Then you can wait a month before deciding which pill you want to go with.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do you have any thoughts on what would be faster? I'm in a Christmas wedding which is my main concern but also want to be safe. If I start the first week of triphasic tomorrow, will it stop in a few days? If I take nothing tomorrow and the days thereafter, will it stop or just start my period? If I stop, when do I start taking bc again?
Brief Answer:
CLARIFIED.
Detailed Answer:
Actually this is pretty complicated as switching hormones midcycle makes everything unpredictable.
Since you mentioned that you wish to be safe ( I assume that means you are relying on the bc for protection around Christmas ), switching to tricyclen will again not serve that purpose.
In that scenario, the best option is to continue taking the Cyclen, the bleeding should ease off by Christmas.
But again, no guarantees.
If you are willing to use backup, just stop all pills.
Your next period cannot be predicted, but would be within the next week ( hopefully before christmas ) , when you can restart BC.
CLARIFIED.
Detailed Answer:
Actually this is pretty complicated as switching hormones midcycle makes everything unpredictable.
Since you mentioned that you wish to be safe ( I assume that means you are relying on the bc for protection around Christmas ), switching to tricyclen will again not serve that purpose.
In that scenario, the best option is to continue taking the Cyclen, the bleeding should ease off by Christmas.
But again, no guarantees.
If you are willing to use backup, just stop all pills.
Your next period cannot be predicted, but would be within the next week ( hopefully before christmas ) , when you can restart BC.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm not concerned with protection so much. I'm more than willing to wait on that. I just don't want to get sick or mess up my body too much. Will tri cycle stop it?
Brief Answer:
BETTER TO STOP AND RE START
Detailed Answer:
Since you have been on tricyclen back to back, and then switched erratically to cyclen, the better option is to stop everything.
Let your body and menstrual cycles get back to natural mode.
Then you can re start after proper deliberation about the brand.
BETTER TO STOP AND RE START
Detailed Answer:
Since you have been on tricyclen back to back, and then switched erratically to cyclen, the better option is to stop everything.
Let your body and menstrual cycles get back to natural mode.
Then you can re start after proper deliberation about the brand.
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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