Is It Normal To Have Irregular Periods On Birth Control

What Causes This Change In The Body

Is It Normal To Skip Your Period While On Birth Control? | PeopleTV

It mainly comes down to hormones, your bodys messengers, which travel through the bloodstream to affect various functions and processes. When a woman enters middle age, her ovaries start to produce less oestragen. They also produce less ovarian follicles making the ovaries become less responsive to Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone , two hormones necessary for reproduction and the regulation of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. This decline in oestragen and fluctuating hormones can be the cause of almost any imaginable bleeding pattern. This also includes intermenstrual bleeding, which is separate to irregular menstruation.

So Why Am I Bleeding If I’m Taking The Active Pills And Not Placebo

  • You don’t consistency take your birth control pills
  • If this is the case, consider taking a pregnancy test if you have also been sexually active and aren’t using an alternative form of protection
  • You’ve been using this particular birth control pill for three months or less
  • Your body just needs time to adjust
  • You’re a smoker
  • Studies demonstrated that cigarette smoking can lower estrogen levels, impacting your hormonal balance
  • You may have an underlying STD
  • STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause irregular bleeding. Get tested!
  • You may need a different dose of estrogen or progestin in your birth control pill
  • Talk to your gynecologist about continuous irregular bleeding
  • Why You Missed Your Period On Birth Control Pills

    Missing your period can be worrisome when on birth control.

    You may be wondering if youre pregnant or if theres something wrong with the birth control method youre using.

    In this article, well explore the various reasons why you might miss your period while taking birth control pills, ways to track your period, and when you should consider visiting a doctor.

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    When Birth Control Causes Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

    Birth control pills, patches, implants, injections and rings that contain hormones can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding as a side effect. This can occur:

    • During the first few months when a woman begins using hormone-based birth control.
    • When changing the type of birth control pill or the dose of estrogen.
    • When a woman does not take her birth control pill correctly, missing doses or not taking them at the same time each day.
    • After using birth control for a long time, which can affect the lining of the uterus and cause bleeding.
    • During the first few days of using an intrauterine device , one either with or without the synthetic hormone progestin some women continue to experience spotting between periods with an IUD.
    • When using the Depo-Provera birth control injection.
    • When using a birth control implant.

    It is important to check with a health care provider to determine the cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding. It may be due to one of the birth control issues above, which should be monitored.

    What Causes Irregular Periods

    What Does Birth Control Do To Your Periods? A Guide To Birth Control ...

    There are a variety of reasons why you may be experiencing menstrual irregularity. Excessively heavy or prolonged periods is called menorrhagia.

    Common symptoms include a period that lasts longer than 7 days or bleeding thats so heavy you have to change your period product every hour.

    Causes of menorrhagia may include:

    • Medications. Some anti-inflammatory or hormone medications can affect menstrual bleeding. Heavy bleeding is also a side effect of IUD birth control.
    • Hormone changes. An excess of the hormones progestin or estrogen, which regulate the lining of the uterus, may cause heavy bleeding. Hormone imbalances occur most frequently in people who have recently started menstruating or those approaching menopause.
    • Medical conditions. Pelvic inflammatory disease , endometriosis, inherited blood disorders, and benign growths and cancers have all been found to possibly cause menstrual irregularity.

    Primary dysmenorrhea is a condition that causes extreme pain before and during menstrual periods.

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    There are many possible causes of irregular periods. Sometimes they may just be normal for you.

    Common causes include:

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    Pain Caused By Other Health

    Period pain can also be a sign of other issues such as:

    • Endometriosis when tissue that usually lines the uterus grows outside the uterus, for example on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, intestines or other organs.
    • Adenomyosis – when tissue that usually lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
    • Having a copper IUD. A hormonal IUD like Mirena or Jaydess can help, as you are likely to have less bleeding and pain.

    If you are experiencing really bad period pain, you dont need to put up with it. Tests can check if there is a medical reason for the pain, and treatment will usually help.

    Many Things Can Cause Irregular Periods

    You know that stress youve been feeling about your new job or moving into a new house? It can wreak havoc on the regularity of your cycle.

    During times of your life that are more stressful, your period could be more irregular, Zhang says. This could mean it comes later or even skips a month.

    Other things that can cause irregular periods include weight gain or loss medical conditions like a thyroid disorder or ovulatory dysfunction high levels of testosterone, such as what happens to women who have polycystic ovary syndrome or putting a lot of stress on your body due to a strict exercise regime, which sometimes happens to female athletes.

    And, for those who are wondering, infertility can cause irregular periods but not the other way around, Zhang says. If youre experiencing fertility issues and arent menstruating regularly, theres probably an underlying medical issue that you need to address, so make sure to talk with your doctor.

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    When To See A Doctor

    Because hormone levels are so sensitive and can change frequently, youre likely to experience irregular periods at some point in your lifetime. With that said, there are some times when you should seek medical assistance. Call your doctor if:

    • You miss three or more periods a year
    • Your period has always been regular and suddenly becomes irregular
    • You have a period more than once every 21 days
    • You dont get your period for 35 days
    • Your periods are unusually heavy or painful
    • Your period lasts longer than 7 days

    If youve had regular periods and the pattern suddenly changes, its a good idea to visit your doctor. They can give you a physical exam and rule out any potential problems.

    You have irregular periods if the length of your menstrual cycle keeps changing.

    Your periods may come early or late.

    The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, although its normal for it to be a bit shorter or longer than this.

    After puberty, many women develop a regular cycle with a similar length of time between periods. But its not uncommon for it to vary by a few days each time.

    Is Prolonged Bleeding Normal After Starting Birth Control

    Causes of missed periods with oral contraceptives – Dr. Teena S Thomas

    Q: Is it natural to have prolonged periods after just starting birth control? I started taking the pill when I started my period and it still persists.

    A: Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect of birth control pills. It is especially common during the first three months as your body adjusts to the hormones in the medication. However, other things can cause prolonged bleeding too. If the bleeding is especially heavy , persists throughout the whole month or occurs only with intercourse especially if youve stopped using condoms you should see your womens health care provider to make sure nothing more serious is going on.

    The most common cause of irregular bleeding is missed pills, so make sure you are taking the pill every day, and at the same time every day.

    Birth control pills can cause a lot of other side effects, especially bloating, nausea and breast tenderness. Most side effects resolve after a few months, but the clinicians in our Womens Services Department usually recommend that you check in with your health care provider after your first 3 months on the pill to make sure everything is going OK. If you have any questions or concerns about birth control, theyre happy to answer them for you.

    John A. Vaughn, MD

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    Why Am I Bleeding So Much After Coming Off The Pill

    Why does withdrawal bleeding occur? When an individual takes a break from hormonal birth control , they will bleed as a result of the drop in hormones.

    Can stopping birth control cause heavy bleeding?

    When you stop taking birth control, it can sometimes result in disruptions to your menstrual cycle. Stopping the use of any type of hormone-based contraceptive significantly impacts your reproductive system. It can lead to bleeding, weight fluctuations, late or irregular periods, and cramps.

    Is it normal to get cramps when taking birth control?

    Cramping when starting a new birth control pill or taking the pill at the wrong time is perfectly normal. Anyone with severe symptoms or symptoms that persist for more than the length of the menstrual period should speak to a doctor.

    What happens to your body when you stop taking birth control?

    Possible side effects include slight bleeding or spotting, abdominal cramps, and irregular periods for the first few months. Gradually, these symptoms should disappear on their own.

    Can a birth control pill cause breakthrough bleeding?

    If you have missed a dose or have symptoms of pregnancy, your doctor can perform a pregnancy test to rule it out. Breakthrough bleeding on the pill is common, but it can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition. Birth control pills can cause rare but serious side effects such as blood clots and stroke.

    How long does breakthrough bleeding on the pill last?

    Irregular Periods After Stopping Birth Control Contraceptive Pill

    Posted by Dr. Chris

    I went off birth control in December, to start trying to conceive in February. In January, I skipped my period, and then I got my period in February and it lasted for 2 and a half weeks. In March it lasted 2 weeks again. Now it is April and I am on day 13 of my period. Is this normal?

    There arent any major cramps, just what I would normally have during a period. I have taken pregnancy tests thinking it could have something to do with it but it was negative.

    Could that just be normal for me when I am not on the pill?

    This question was posted under the Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding, Periods article.

    Any response by the Health Hype team does not constitute a medical consultation and the advice should be viewed purely as a guide. Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your current treatment program. The information provided in this article is not an authoritative resource on the subject matter and solely intends to guide the reader based on the questions asked and information provided.

    Dr Chris Answered :

    So do not confuse the period you have experienced while you were using the oral contraceptive pill with the period that you experience as part of your normal and natural menstrual cycle.

    Many women miss a period or two after stopping the oral contraceptive. This is known as amenorrhea. However if it is persisting for more than 3 cycles then you should see your gynecologist.

    Also Check: Can Birth Control Stop Your Period Completely

    Your Sex Drive Could Spike Or Drop

    Dr. Agnant previously told Health that some of her patients actually reported lower libidos when they started taking birth control pills. This is most likely due to changes in hormonal production,” she said, adding that these women usually experience an increase in libido when they stop taking birth control.

    To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter

    What Is An Irregular Period

    Late Period On Birth Control

    You can find out whether your periods are regular or irregular by charting how long your menstrual cycles are. You can determine your menstrual cycle length by counting from day 1 of your period to day 1 of the next period. Day 1 is traditionally the first day of actual flow. Its normal to have cycles between 21 and 35 days.

    According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , your period is irregular if it tends to come more frequently than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days. If your cycle length falls in the normal range but varies by seven to nine days from cycle to cycle, thats a sign of an irregular period, too.

    For example, if one cycle is 25 days and the next is 33 days, your cycles would be considered irregular . If your cycle is always between 25 and 35 days and fluctuates by just a few daysmaybe 33 days one month and 35 days the nextthats not usually cause for concern.

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    Treatments For Irregular Periods Instead Of Birth Control

    Because of the numerous side effects and long-term risks associated with taking birth control pills, many women are steering to more natural methods for period health.

    As such, natural and effective irregular periods treatments focus on lifestyle changes alongside the use of alternative medicine used for years in combatting period abnormalities. These initiatives will not only regulate cycles, but also relieve other menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and more.

    On a final note, women who are looking for contraceptive methods that do not involve exogenous hormone use may implement the barrier method or speak with their doctors to find a solution that works best for them.

    Combination Oral Contraceptive Pills

    Most combination OCPs contain ethinyl estradiol and a synthetic progestin . These pills inhibit ovulation in most women. They also induce thickening of the cervical mucus, which impedes transport of sperm to the uterus. With perfect use, only 0.1 percent of women become pregnant within the first year of using a combination OCP.6

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    You May Bleed A Few Days

    If you stop taking a combination hormonal birth control pillwhich has both estrogen and progesteronesome tissue sheds off, which can cause a light bleed, Alyssa Dweck, MD, an ob-gyn and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V, tells Health. This is also why you get a fake” period on the Pill during the week you take the placebo pills, she explains. A withdrawal bleed, by definition, is progesterone being withdrawn and the bleeding that occurs, says Dr. Dweck. A withdrawal bleed is not technically, by definition, a period because it is not a result of ovulation. After your withdrawal bleed, you still have to wait for your real period to come.

    Think that because youve been on birth control for 10 years its going to take forever to get your period back? That might not be the case: Generally, the side effects of the Pill and the impact on suppressing the hormone pathways are rapidly reversible, Samantha Kempner, MD, an ob-gyn and an assistant professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, tells Health. Even with long-term use of the combination birth control pill, most women can expect to resume normal periods quickly.

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    Still no period after three months? See your docthey may want to check for issues like a thyroid condition or hormonal imbalances that could be keeping your period MIA.

    Amenorrhea Can Be Caused By:

    Skipping Periods with Birth Control
    • Pregnancy/breast feeding
    • Hormone imbalance, caused by pituitary tumours
    • Problems such as uterine scarring.

    If the lack of periods is due to not ovulating , you may find it difficult to get pregnant. You may also be at risk of osteoporosis .

    Treatment will vary, depending on the cause of your amenorrhea. It may range from hormone therapy, to taking the contraceptive pill or other medications, to surgery.

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    How Does Birth Control Impact Menstrual Regularity

    If you have recently had an intrauterine device implanted or started a new type of birth control pill, you may experience irregular periods for a few months. However, birth control generally regulates your periods over time by providing your body with a steady dose of hormones.

    You may experience spotting or irregular periods during your first month or two on a new birth control method, but this should cease. Once your body gets used to your oral contraceptives, you should get your period regularly. If youre using oral contraceptives, youll get your period during the week that you take your placebo pills.

    Is It Normal To Have Irregular Periods

    Aug 3, 2021 | OB/GYN, Women’s Health, Your Health

    Most people know menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding that is part of the monthly cycle which prepares the body for a possible pregnancy. But you may have some questions about the regularor irregularebb and flow of your cycle.

    Tamara N. Kolev, MD, Assistant Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains how mundane activities can affect your cycle and why one or two irregular periods is nothing to worry about.

    Is it normal to have irregular periods? When should I worry about them?

    Your menstrual cycle tells us about your overall health and hormone balance. Most people find that the time from the first day of one period to the first day of the next is about the same every month. This time span, called a cycle, can be anywhere from 22 to 35 days. Women on birth control tend to have periods that are shorter, lighter, ordepending on the birth controldisappear altogether.

    If you have an irregular period once or twice, thats probably fine. But, if you notice that youre continually having irregular periods, its better to get evaluated to diagnose the underlying reason and get your body back in balance.

    Why am I bleeding in between periods?
    If I exercise regularly, will my period be lighteror will I even skip a period?
    What about diet and weight gain, will eitheror bothaffect my period?
    How will stress and lack of sleep affect my period?

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