Hello. I'm Dr. Christensen.
I'm sorry you're having problems with your birth control pills. Menstrual irregularities --
breakthrough bleeding, spotting, skipped periods, etc. -- are among the most common side effects of oral contraceptives, and Qlaira is no different in this respect.
Dizziness, headache, nausea,
bloating, breast tenderness,
nipple discharge and fatigue are other frequently reported side effects of BCPs.
Many women who experience breakthrough bleeding on fixed-dose BCPs will have fewer problems when they switch to a multi-dose formulation like Qlaira, but that's not always the case. It appears that Qlaira could be a better choice for you, since your withdrawal bleeding did occur at about the right time. (By the way, most women have much lighter "periods" when they take BCPs, so a single day of brownish spotting isn't all that unusual.)
Most BCP side effects resolve after two or three cycles of use. Thus, it's reasonable to continue taking Qlaira for at least another cycle or two to see how things go. (Most doctors suggest that women try a new BCP for at least six months unless the side effects are intolerable or alarming). If you develop severe
headaches,
shortness of breath,
heavy vaginal bleeding, or other worrisome problems, call your doctor at once.
I hope that answers your question, and I hope things settle down soon.