Heavy Period On Birth Control First Month

Using Birth Control Pills For Health Conditions

Taken correctly, birth control pills can be more than 90% effective in preventing pregnancy. The pills can also be used to treat some gynecological conditions. The usage can cause spotting or bleeding for different reasons.

Birth control pills may be prescribed for the following conditions:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects the ovaries and is characterized by low progesterone levels. While birth control pills can help treat PCOS, the sudden spike in progesterone can cause spotting due to the shedding of the uterine lining. Irregular bleeding usually stops after a few menstrual cycles.
• Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissues grow outside of the uterus. Birth control pills can relieve symptoms by keeping the body in a steady hormonal state. Even so, spotting affects up to 50% of women with endometriosis during the first three to nine months of starting oral contraceptives.
• Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that tend to occur during the childbearing years. Birth control pills do not make fibroids grow and can reduce the vaginal bleeding fibroids sometimes cause.

The Side Effects Can Be Difficult

It is probably obvious that your first month on the pill may not be easy. Birth control comes with a range of side effects, so if you have a rough day during that first month where you really dont feel well, keep in mind that your body is being filled with hormones outside its normal cycle.

According to Dr. Stacey, there isn’t a one-size-fits all experience with birth control pill side effects. “The most commonly reported side effects when a woman first uses the pill are: bleeding irregularities/spotting, nausea and/or vomiting, headaches and breast tenderness,” she says. “Less commonly reported sides affects are mood changes, bloating, and less sexual desire. For most women, side effects usually go away after three months of continued use.”

Dr. Stacey says women should try and stick through the first three months of a new pill, no matter how challenging. “If after 3 months, side effects are still present, she should talk to her doctor about what she is experiencing and ask her doctor to switch her to a different brand ,” she says. “The different combination and dosage levels of estrogen and progestin are more likely to cause certain side effects.” If you start a new pill, you may want to give that one three months, as well.

Rethink Your Low Carb Plan

Super low carb or no-carb diets can mess with your cycle. Carbs are partially processed by your thyroid, which influences the hormones related to menstruation.

Depending on the cause of your irregular flow, a low carb plan can be helpful or harmful. Some research suggests that low carb diets can help regulate weight and hormone levels in folks with polycystic ovary syndrome .

But in general, the health experts behind the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend getting 45 to 65 percent of your daily calories from carbs. Thats 225 to 325 grams per day if youre eating a standard 2,000-calorie diet.

Still interested in tweaking your macros to help regulate your menstrual cycle? Talk with your doctor to see how a low carb diet will affect any other health conditions you may have.

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I Have Bleeding During My Active Birth Control Pills Is This Normal

If the bleeding is severe:If the bleeding is heavy enough to fill 1 tampon or pad per hour for 2-3 hours in a row or you are feeling dizzy or lightheaded, we recommend you see your primary care provider or go to Urgent Care to ensure there is not a serious issue going on. Make sure to tell them youre using birth control and be prepared to tell them the name of your birth control. Please let us know what they say so we can ensure we are prescribing you a safe and appropriate medication.

If the bleeding is not severe, but still annoying or concerning:Are you experiencing breakthrough bleeding in the first 3-6 months of your birth control? Breakthrough bleeding is unscheduled bleeding during the active pills, or during the ring-in or patch-on phase of your cycle. Dont stress! This is not abnormal. Breakthrough bleeding is the most common side effect for women beginning birth control. Just continue using your birth control as normal and give your body time to adjust to the birth control you are using. Breakthrough bleeding typically goes away with time and the second cycle is usually much better than the first, but it may take up to 3 full cycles for breakthrough bleeding to go away for good.

If you are interested in switching birth control brands to help reduce spotting or bleeding, our medical team can help you find the right fit. Get started here or for more answers to your healthcare questions, visit our Knowledge Center.

There Are Several Health Benefits To Starting The Pill

While you are definitely going to experience some side effects on the pill, you can ease your mind by knowing you will also experience some health benefits. “There are many health benefits of the pill ranging from reducing your chances of ovarian, endometrial, and colon cancer to regulating cycles, reducing unwanted hair growth and acne,” Dr. Stacey tells Her Campus. She adds that the pill is typically a very safe birth control option, and no other prescription drug has been more studied or researched.

Birth control pills almost always come with varying side effects especially during that first month. However, if you believe starting birth control is a good option for you, you can always try out several different options until you find a pill or method that works best for you. It may be difficult at the time, but the end result is far worth it and you can always consult a doctor to help guide you through the process.

Experts

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Which Way Is Right For Me

If you want to cut down on the number of periods you have per year, then experts suggest standard birth control pills, patches, or the vaginal ring. To stop your period long-term, birth control shots, long-term pills, and the IUD typically work best. Speak with your doctor about it. Youâll work together to figure out which method is best for you.

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What To Do If Birth Control Makes Your Period Worse

Its a cruel fact of life that birth control can sometimes make your period worse. To be clear: Birth control is an incredible invention, and it usually has the reputation of making periods way better.

Sometimes, though, it can do the opposite. And when that happens, it can feel like youre losing in a casino where everyone else has hit the jackpot. If this sounds like your experience, youre probably wondering whether you should switch contraception methods. According to experts, you might want to. Heres what to keep in mind.

This could be the case if youre switching from a birth control that has worked magic on your period in the past. Oftentimes its not so much that your periods get worse, theyre just going back to what they were before this method of birth control, Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale Medical School, tells SELF. Maybe you were using a hormonal birth control method that made your typically hellish period all sunshine and roses and then stopped using iteither to switch to a non-hormonal method or to nothing at all. In both cases, returning to your old period is going to feel pretty hellish again.

So, depending on what period symptoms were being alleviated by which hormones in your birth control method, when you stop taking that method, you might end up with that same old irritating period again.

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Can I Use Birth Control Pills If I Have Heavy Periods

Generally, yes. Birth control pills should not have an adverse effect on heavy periods and can help, as described above. However, when you initially have a heavy period, you should consult with your doctor to determine the cause. Your physician may advise you to alter the kind of birth control pill you are taking to help address the heavy period.

What Is Breakthrough Bleeding

Breakthrough bleeding is bleeding that occurs between normal menstrual periods, between periods of withdrawal bleeding, or during pregnancy. Breakthrough bleeding on contraceptives is quite normal. It is a type of vaginal bleeding that is sometimes confused with menstruation.

As the name indicates, this bleeding occurs while youre taking the pill. It happens when the inner lining of the uterus does not get enough hormones to remain stable and starts bleeding. This signals that the inner lining has to adapt to the hormones.

It can also occur in the first few months after you start taking birth control pills. You may also notice some light bleeding if you skip or miss a dose.

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What Are The Precautions And Risk Factors For Taking Minipills

Overall the minipill is safe. However, before taking the minipill:

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications, progestins, aspirin, or tartrazine .
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any vitamins, prescription or nonprescription medications. Your doctor may monitor you closely for side effects or change the dosage.
• Do not smoke while taking minipills. Smoking can increase risk of heart attacks and stroke.
• Cancer risks associated with minipills are not consistent when studies are performed. This pill will not prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Signs Of Abnormally Heavy Periods

About 1 in 5 women is living with abnormally heavy periods, but many women dont seek treatment. You might be experiencing abnormally heavy menstrual periods if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Periods lasting longer than seven days
• Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
• Needing to change pads or tampons every hour
• Needing to change pads or tampons during the night
• Missing out on daily activities due to period symptoms

These are all signs of heavy periods. Experiencing heavy bleeding can drain your energy, cause symptoms of anemia, and make you miss out on activities because youre tired or uncomfortable.

Talk to Dr. Sejour about your periods to find out if your menstrual cycle might be abnormal. If youve tried other methods of controlling your period, or you dont want to use hormones, an IUD, or other method, endometrial ablation might be a good option for you.

• When to Talk to a Doctor

There are many birth control options available to teenagers for pregnancy prevention, avoiding sexually transmitted diseases , and managing monthly cycles and hormones. For sexually active teens, healthcare providers typically prescribe implants and intrauterine devices first because of their effectiveness and reliability.

This article discusses birth control options for teens, including benefits, risks, and side effects.

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When To Consult A Health Care Provider About Breakthrough Bleeding

It is normal to be concerned if you start experiencing some breakthrough bleeding on contraception. Nevertheless, some spotting is expected when you are on the pill, as this signals that your body is adjusting to new hormones.

Its important to seek medical attention if you notice spotting or bleeding after missing doses of your medication or having unprotected sex.

Aside from spotting and other mild symptoms, certain signs could be a sign of something severe. When you experience any of the following symptoms with breakthrough bleeding, visit a health care provider as soon as possible:

• Severe leg pain

Why Is My Bleeding Different On The Contraceptive Pill

The contraceptive pill prevents the lining of your uterus from growing thicker, as it would in a typical menstrual cycle . It also prevents ovulation and the typical cycling of reproductive hormones. When you have withdrawal bleeding, the bleeding tends to be lighter than normal menstrual bleeding.

Itâs also possible to have no withdrawal bleeding or only spotting during the days you take inactive pills . This is more common for people taking higher doses of estrogen, or a pill with a shorter hormone-free interval .

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How To Choose Birth Control For Irregular Periods

Irregular periods are characterized by infrequent or too frequent periods missed periods painful periods or a change in blood flow. Many people treat irregular periods with birth control, but what type of birth control is right for you?

Continue reading to discover various birth control options to regulate periods so that you can have a more predictable menstrual cycle from here on.

Birth Control Pills And Mini

Birth control pills are hormonal contraceptives. They contain either a combination of estrogen and progestin , or just progestin .

Women whose main reason for taking birth control pills is to manage heavy periods often choose to take the mini-pill. The low-dose progestin-only mini-pill is taken every day, without any breaks. This usually causes menstrual bleeding to become irregular, and sometimes women may even stop getting their period.

Combination pills are mainly used as contraceptives. Most women take the combination pill for 21 days per cycle. The bleeding starts during the seven-day break that follows. Low-dose combination pills can be taken continuously too. Then the woman usually stops getting her period completely, and only has light spotting at the most.

But combination pills have not yet been approved for continuous use in Germany. So if they are used in this way it is considered to be off-label use . Its important to discuss the possible consequences of this type of use with your doctor.

The possible side effects of birth control pills include fluid retention, headaches and breast tenderness. The combination pill in particular increases the likelihood of blood clots , so women who have a greater risk of thrombosis are advised not to take it.

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What Kind Of Bleeding Is Considered Normal While On The Contraceptive Pill

• Unexpected spotting for the first few months while taking a new pill

• Withdrawal bleeding that is lighter, or shorter than your period before you were taking the pill

• Withdrawal bleeding that changes slightly over time while on the pill

• Having little or no bleeding during your placebo week after taking your pills correctly

Article was originally published on September 13, 2017

Is It Normal To Get A Period In The Middle Of A Pill Pack

While you shouldnt have a full period in the middle of a pack of combination pills, for instance, its perfectly normal to get light bleeding or spotting when youre still taking birth control. Some may also experience a heavier bleed, though it wont usually be like a complete period that youd ordinarily have at the end of a pill pack.

Either way, its called breakthrough bleeding, and its not unheard of for those of us who have periods. Experts say that up to 20% of people who menstruate also experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding, so you can relax youre not alone if it happens to you!

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How Will My Birth Control Affect My Bleeding

Birth control methods such as the pill, patch, vaginal ring, shot and IUD can all impact your menstrual bleeding. Some birth control methods can increase bleeding, and some can decrease it. Many aspects of bleeding can be affected, and these effects can change over time. Periods can be longer, shorter, heavier, or lighter, depending on the method of birth control. Spotting and irregular bleeding are common side effects of most methods of hormonal birth control, especially in the first few months of use.

Birth control pills

Birth control pills were originally only packaged as 28 pills 21 pills containing the hormone required to suppress ovulation, and 7 placebo pills . The 7 days of placebo were designed to allow menstruation to occur. Today there are a variety of regimens available, such as 24 days of active-ingredient pills and 4 days of placebo, and extended-cycle regimens that can be taken for up to a year to stop all menstrual bleeding.

Injected and implanted contraceptives

Irregular, unpredictable bleeding is very common in women using long-acting, progestin-based birth control methods . After a year of use, about half of women will have no periods.

Intrauterine devices

Vaginal ring

Emergency contraceptives

Emergency contraception is not to be used as a regular method of birth control but, if needed, it can help prevent unplanned pregnancies.

Birth Control Can Make Your Period Irregular At First

Hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills and the hormonal intrauterine device work to prevent pregnancy by interfering with the natural fluctuation of hormones in your cycle that form eggs and ovarian follicles. This interference is what prevents you from getting pregnant.

Some hormonal contraceptives, like the hormonal IUD, also prevent pregnancy by thinning the lining of your uterus, known as the endometrium, so an egg cant attach to it.

A thin endometrium means your body doesnt need to shed it as often or at all, so your period may become much lighter or stop altogether, Zhang says.

Spotting or bleeding between periods can happen when you start using a new method of hormonal birth control, Zhang says. Plus, some people choose to use birth control in a way that suppresses their period entirely, like taking birth control pills continuously , which can also result in spotting until your body gets used to the new routine.

But if you have spotting or bleeding between periods that doesnt go away within a few months, or if theres a sudden change in your cycle, thats worth noting, Zhang says.

If youre on an IUD and you dont get your period, if all of a sudden you have heavy bleeding or have irregular bleeding, that is something to ask your doctor about, she says.

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