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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Persistent Brown Spotting While Being On Birth Control Pills?

When I was 15 I started taking birth control. I had absolutely no problems with it. When I was 21 I stopped taking it just for random reasons. After I stopped taking it I started having very abnormal spotting throughout the whole month. A few months later I went back to the doctor letting them know what was going on, and they put me back on the same birth control just thinking it was normal. The spotting continued and did not get any better or worse. I tried a few more pills as well with no luck, however, all my ultrasounds were normal, my thyroid is normal, everything is normal! Fast forward 2 years later trying new pills, waiting them out etc....I was told January of 2016 for the first time the lining of my uterus was very thin. My doctor put me on a high estrogen pill (1/50) to build the lining February, I went back to a different doctor after a bad experience with the previous doctor, and I was told I had a very small polyp. FINALLY thought this was the problem we were looking for. I got the polyp removed, only to have the spotting continue. (It maybe got better for 1 month?) After doing some of my own research, I am nearly certain the polyp was from the high dose estrogen pill since that is a common side effect, and most importantly a polyp was NEVER seen in my 6 previous ultra sounds, and very most importantly this spotting is still happening!! Everything is completely normal with every test I get back. For a while I was very paranoid something was wrong with me, but I have been assured by multiple doctors it is just simple breakthrough bleeding. Well if it s just breakthrough bleeding why won t it stop?! MOST IMPORTANTLY, how can i get this diagnosed more specifically to solve it? The most consistent I have gotten the spotting to get is the first 2 weeks of my pill pack everything is GREAT, the 3rd week I start spotting, and my placebo week I get my period. This is on mitrogestrin Fe. I will also throw in that I am not sure if this is normal spotting, this is very light, brown, and most importantly almost very tissue like more than anything. I have been told that is totally normal though! I have been told that basically all pills are the same by a few doctors, but also by a few doctors that there are SO many different pills that have different levels in each pack, even each week ETC. After receiving 6 second opinions, I am trying to stick with ONE doctor again, however, she is not giving me much more help either. I do NOT want an IUD, or really any other form of birth control. I was also told maybe I should stop taking the pill all together, which 1, is what caused this problem in the first place so why would i do that?! and 2 i do not want to get pregnant! I have also recently been referred to an endocrinologist by my PCP, however the endocrinologist denied me even coming in saying she doesn t know why my PCP would refer me to her as she is not someone that can help with this. I have not followed up with my PCP since this as she was a new PCP and I am not happy with her, and I do NOT want to go to yet another OBGYN since I have seen at least 4. I know I need to stick with one doctor at this point(i was doing really great for a while when i had the polyp removed with one doctor) but that all came down to getting no where again. I am just getting no where with anyone! How can I get this diagnosed more specifically? Does vitex help? Do i need more tests? What is going to solve this?!
Fri, 8 Mar 2019
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi,

Well, the cause of yellowish or brown vaginal discharge is common and usually harmless issue. Occasional spotting between periods might have this appearance and can be normal, especially if you're taking low-dose birth control pills.

So in most cases this is not sign of disease. If it is, then usually this indicates bacterial vaginosis, STD or polycstic ovarian syndrome. Less common, some other hormonal disorders may be present. In some cases, however, a yellow or brown vaginal discharge could indicate a serious problem.

Although brown and yellow vaginal discharge often does not indicate a serious problem, it should not be ignored if it persists, recurs or is accompanied by other symptoms and then you should see gynecologist for further work up.

In some cases, a yellow or brown vaginal discharge could indicate a serious problem.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
     
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein,
General Surgeon
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What Causes Persistent Brown Spotting While Being On Birth Control Pills?

Hi, Well, the cause of yellowish or brown vaginal discharge is common and usually harmless issue. Occasional spotting between periods might have this appearance and can be normal, especially if you re taking low-dose birth control pills. So in most cases this is not sign of disease. If it is, then usually this indicates bacterial vaginosis, STD or polycstic ovarian syndrome. Less common, some other hormonal disorders may be present. In some cases, however, a yellow or brown vaginal discharge could indicate a serious problem. Although brown and yellow vaginal discharge often does not indicate a serious problem, it should not be ignored if it persists, recurs or is accompanied by other symptoms and then you should see gynecologist for further work up. In some cases, a yellow or brown vaginal discharge could indicate a serious problem. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein, General Surgeon