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What Causes Vaginal Spotting When On Birth Control Pills?
Question: Hi. So I'm noticing today some blood when I wipe. I finished my last cycle on monday, have never had spotting before. I'm on birth control. Have been sexually active recently, and also noticed a lot of pain during sex which isn't that uncommon for me, I have had pain before, but never to this level. I've had blood work done to test about having Polycystic Ovarian syndrome and the first blood work test came back leaning toward having it, the second one not so much. I have an ultrasound booked. Just wondering if this is something I should be checking into more, with the bleeding? Could it be another problem?
Brief Answer:
More likely to be hormonal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
Several causes can be at work-
---When you are on the oral pills initially, some amount of menstrual irregularity ranging from heavy periods, frequent periods, inter menstrual spotting and bleeding is common. This settles down in a couple of months as the body gets adjusted to the altered hormone levels.
--Irregular bleeding is a feature of polycystic ovarian syndrome and you need to see a specialist for a complete evaluation to clarify this issue.
-Pain during intercourse can be due to a retroverted uterus where the ovaries prolapse into the pouch of XXXXXXX and cause the pain, due to cysts of the ovaries consequent to PCOD, due to some other local lesions like infections of the vulva and vagina, polyps and so on.
Since you are going to get an ultrasound done, please ask for a trans-vaginal probing as this always gives a better idea. Once a complete evaluation is done to exclude local lesions and hormonal causes, further management can be planned.
Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. I will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
More likely to be hormonal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
Several causes can be at work-
---When you are on the oral pills initially, some amount of menstrual irregularity ranging from heavy periods, frequent periods, inter menstrual spotting and bleeding is common. This settles down in a couple of months as the body gets adjusted to the altered hormone levels.
--Irregular bleeding is a feature of polycystic ovarian syndrome and you need to see a specialist for a complete evaluation to clarify this issue.
-Pain during intercourse can be due to a retroverted uterus where the ovaries prolapse into the pouch of XXXXXXX and cause the pain, due to cysts of the ovaries consequent to PCOD, due to some other local lesions like infections of the vulva and vagina, polyps and so on.
Since you are going to get an ultrasound done, please ask for a trans-vaginal probing as this always gives a better idea. Once a complete evaluation is done to exclude local lesions and hormonal causes, further management can be planned.
Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to contact for further clarifications. I will be happy to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I've been on the oral pills for a few months now, so I think that should have become regular by now.. The ultrasound is booked for September. Is it ok to wait that long?
Brief Answer:
Please try to advance the sonogram.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
In the current scenario, it would be better if you can advance the sonogram and get it done as soon as possible. This is because you have spotting in addition to the pain and it should be seen if you have developed any ovarian cysts.
It is true that cycles become regular while on the oral pills but it remains to be seen if you continue to have regular cycles even without the pills. In PCOD, Metformin has been shown to regulate the cycles by inducing spontaneous ovulation in many cases. This is because of the associated insulin resistance.
Hope your query has been answered. Please get back if you need more information. I will be ready to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
Please try to advance the sonogram.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back.
In the current scenario, it would be better if you can advance the sonogram and get it done as soon as possible. This is because you have spotting in addition to the pain and it should be seen if you have developed any ovarian cysts.
It is true that cycles become regular while on the oral pills but it remains to be seen if you continue to have regular cycles even without the pills. In PCOD, Metformin has been shown to regulate the cycles by inducing spontaneous ovulation in many cases. This is because of the associated insulin resistance.
Hope your query has been answered. Please get back if you need more information. I will be ready to help.
regards,
Shanti.V.
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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