How to Prevent Vaginal Bleeding While Taking Birth Control Pills

Irregular vaginal bleeding, also known as spotting, is normal for a few months after starting a new birth control pill. Vaginal bleeding involves only a small amount of blood and usually doesn’t require you to use feminine hygiene products, like regular tampons or tampons. If the problem persists, you should see a doctor.

Table of Contents

Take medicine properly

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Be aware that you will experience some vaginal bleeding for the first few months. This usually happens three to four months after you take the first birth control pill. It also occurs if you have used birth control pills in the past, stopped taking them for a while, and now start taking them again, and it also happens if you change brands or types. medicine you take. ^{[1] X Research Source}

The term “vaginal bleeding” refers to periods of light vaginal bleeding and does not require you to use regular tampons or tampons.
The phrase “bleeding” usually refers to a higher level of bleeding and you have to use some kind of hygiene product.
However, these terms can be misunderstood because they are often interchangeable, even in medical guidelines.

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Take the medicine at the same time. You should set up a schedule that works for you to help regulate your cycle. Regularly taking birth control pills at the same time each day will minimize vaginal bleeding. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Go Ask Alice Go to Source}

Generally, it’s okay to change the time by a few hours, but if you’re more than four hours late, you’re changing the way your body absorbs the Pill and naturally produces hormones.
This can lead to vaginal bleeding. It will also reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, and thereby increase your chances of getting pregnant in the short term.
Choose the time that is most appropriate and easy to remember. Try to take it before bed, in the morning when you’re about to brush your teeth, or at a time when you’d normally do something else like showering or going for a morning walk.
If you don’t like the time you’ve chosen, you should wait until you start a new pack. Adjust the time you take your medicine with the new pack to make sure you don’t have to compromise with the way it works in your body. Adjusting the time between cycles of the pill pack will increase the chances of vaginal bleeding as well as pregnancy.

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Keep the medicine in its original container. Do not remove the medicine from the blister, the container, or the original packaging. The packaging is designed to help you track your cycle. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If your pack contains pills of different colors, you need to take them in the correct order in the pack.
Colored pills contain hormones in different strengths to deliver the amount of hormone your body needs at different times of the day.
Even if your pills are all the same color, you should take them in the order in which they appear in the blister pack. This will help you and your doctor identify any problems you may be experiencing, like vaginal bleeding, at specific times in your cycle.

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Be prepared in case you forget to take your medicine. You should consult your doctor first to make sure you know what to do if you forget to take a pill. Forgetting to take a pill is a common cause of vaginal bleeding or spotting. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If you forget to take a pill, you should talk to your doctor about when you should take the missed dose and see if you need to use another method of birth control.
However, there aren’t any simple answers to these questions. The answer will vary depending on three key factors. These include: the type of medicine you are taking, the time of your cycle when you forget to take it, and if you have forgotten to take more than one pill.

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Refer to general guidance on forgetting to take a pill. Always remember to check with your doctor to make sure you know what to do when you forget to take a pill. General guidelines that apply to women using a new pack of pills each month, as opposed to packs designed for three-month cycles, include: ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

If you forget to take the first pill in a new pack, you should take that pill as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the usual time. Using two pills in a day will not harm you. Use backup birth control until you have taken all seven pills on time.
If you forget to take a pill during your cycle, you should take it as soon as you remember. Take your next pill at the usual time. Using two pills in a day will not harm you.
If you take the 28-day pill, and you miss a dose in the past week, or the pill is between days 21 and 28, there is no risk of pregnancy. You should remember to start the new pack as usual.

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Follow the instructions if you forget to take multiple pills. Each manufacturer provides additional information on the product packaging to guide you when you forget to take more than one pill during your cycle. You can also consult your doctor to make sure you understand what to do. Remember that you will probably need to use another method of birth control until you go back to taking your regular pills. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If you forget to take two pills in a row during the first or second week, you should take two pills on the day you remember and take two more the next day. Use another method of birth control until you have started a new cycle and a new pack of pills.
If you forget to take two pills in a row during the third week, you should use another method of birth control until you start a new pack. You can discard the remaining pills in your current pack when you forget to take two pills later in your cycle.
If you forget to take three or more pills at any point in your cycle, you should use another form of birth control and you need to start a new pack.
Contact your doctor for clear instructions on when you need to start a new pack. In many cases, you will need to wait until your period is due and use the new pack as usual. Your doctor will ask you to start a new pack earlier than this, depending on the type of birth control pill you’re using and how much time is left until your period starts.
You should remember to use another method of birth control until you have had seven full days of the new pack.

Lifestyle adjustment

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Give up smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Smoking is a risk factor in developing serious problems when combined with oral contraceptives. Cigarette smoking can increase estrogen metabolism, resulting in decreased estrogen levels and possibly vaginal bleeding. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Women who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day and are older than 35 should not take oral contraceptives.
Smoking while using birth control pills has been shown to significantly increase serious side effects.
A few examples of serious complications that can result from smoking and taking birth control pills at the same time include blood clots, liver tumors, and stroke.

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Maintain a healthy weight. Weight gain or loss can affect the body’s natural balance of hormones. If you’ve gained significant weight, you should see your doctor to make sure the birth control pill you’re taking is still right for you. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Recent research has shown that the effectiveness of oral contraceptives for overweight women and women of average weight is the same.
Questions remain about significant changes in weight, whether weight gain or overweight, and how they alter the body’s overall metabolism, normal hormone production, and affect the absorption and metabolism of oral contraceptives.

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Be careful with vitamins and supplements. Research has shown that some vitamins and herbal supplements interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Some of the published remedies for vaginal bleeding include taking vitamins or other supplements to change hormone levels and, in turn, prevent vaginal bleeding. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Although some vitamins, supplements, and even common foods, can interfere with the way the body absorbs the hormones in birth control pills, adjusting the dosage on your own will not be the way to go. Recommendations.
Consult your doctor before taking vitamins, supplements, and certain foods and drinks to try to change the absorption of birth control pills.
These methods are not conducted by scientific research and are not recommended. There are quite a few well-researched options to help you balance the hormones in your birth control pill to suit your body’s needs.
A few examples of vitamins, supplements, and common foods that can alter hormone absorption in oral contraceptives include vitamin C, the herb St. John’s wort, and grapefruit juice. If they are often present in your daily life, you should let your doctor know.

Seek medical help

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See your doctor if you have persistent vaginal bleeding. If you experience vaginal bleeding or spotting for an extended period of time, you should see your doctor. Your doctor needs to know if you have bleeding for more than seven days of your cycle. Also, bleeding that lasts more than four months means you need medical attention. ^{[11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

See your doctor when you notice new vaginal bleeding. Vaginal bleeding or spotting may be due to a factor unrelated to the Pill. ^{[12] X Research Source}
If you are continuing to use the same birth control pill but start to experience bleeding mid-cycle, this could be a symptom of another problem and should be evaluated by your doctor.
Bleeding can be a sign of another problem including pregnancy or a condition related to changes in the cervix. If you have made lifestyle changes such as smoking, or have started using a new medication that can interact with birth control pills, it will also cause vaginal bleeding.

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Consider using another type of birth control pill. Many birth control pills contain as low a dose as possible of certain hormones. Your doctor will change the medication you’re taking to a slightly higher estrogen if he or she knows you’re having problems with vaginal bleeding. Changing to a pill made with a different type of progesterone, like levonorgestrel, will also help. ^{[13] X Research Source} >

If you continue to have problems with vaginal bleeding or spotting while taking your current medication, you should talk to your doctor about changing to a stronger medication, or extending the number of days you take a hormone pill and a non-hormone pill (called a placebo) at the end of almost every pack.
There are quite a few medications that are effective in preventing pregnancy. Finding the best medication to match your body’s hormone supply needs is simply a matter of being patient and trying many different medications.
Doctors usually start with a pill that contains only the lowest amount of estrogen or progesterone, or a combination of the two. Changing to a pill with a slightly higher dose of estrogen will usually help stop bleeding and spotting.
Currently, some drugs are designed to prolong the day of a hormone pill by following a three-month cycle instead of the usual one-month pack.
By changing to a three-month cycle, you will have less trouble with your period and with vaginal bleeding and spotting. You should consult your doctor about this option.

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Coordinate with your doctor. Many women stop taking birth control pills in frustration because of persistent problems with bleeding or spotting.

You need to be patient and open about using other birth control pills.
Be aware that stopping birth control pills means you’ll have to look for another method of birth control.
Birth control pills are often the most effective and convenient method of preventing pregnancy.
Other methods are often unreliable, inconvenient, and sometimes require interruptions in the sexual process.

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Routine cervical and cervical cytology tests are performed. Your doctor will make an appointment at a time that is best for your age, and for any risk factors you may have for another medical condition. Many doctors will probably recommend that you see your doctor every year to assess the change and make sure your prescription birth control pill is right for you. ^{[14] X Research Source}

If you’re having trouble with new or frequent bleeding, you should see your doctor as soon as possible for an evaluation.
Vaginal bleeding can be a symptom of other medical conditions, including some dangerous diseases like cervical cancer.
In addition, your doctor will conduct screening tests for STIs or other problems on a daily basis, possibly annually, depending on your individual circumstances.
Birth control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you think you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Talk to your doctor about any other medications you’re taking. Many medications can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills you use. You should make sure your doctor has a list of all the medicines you take. Keep them updated about any changes in the daily dose of prescription or nonprescription medications you take, including aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen and ibuprofen, vitamins, and foods. herbal function. ^{[16] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Medications that can affect the effectiveness of the birth control pill you’re taking can include anything from over-the-counter herbal remedies to antibiotics.
Short-term or long-term use of antibiotics will both alter the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. If you are prescribed antibiotics for any reason, you should let your doctor know as the birth control pills you use may become less effective.
Some antiepileptic drugs also interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Sometimes, epilepsy drugs are used to treat mood disorders and chronic painful symptoms such as migraines.
Some herbal supplements, especially St. John’s wort, may also interact with hormonal birth control pills.
Always be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist about the need to use backup birth control when you are taking a new pill.

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Inform your doctor about any new or existing medical conditions. Medical conditions can change the way birth control pills work and may increase your risk of unwanted complications. ^{[17] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Some medical conditions in women taking oral contraceptives require closer monitoring. Examples include diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, and history of chest-related disease.
If you have a virus, flu, or stomach problem such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, let your doctor know.
These symptoms alone may also alter the absorption of oral contraceptives. This means they will be less effective during this time and you will need to use another birth control method for at least seven days until you feel better.

Advice

If you have to move to a different time zone after you have started taking the Pill, you should try to stay as close to where you live before moving as possible to stay on track with your pill time. certain.
Keep a diary or calendar note about vaginal bleeding and any unusual happenings that day. They can help you detect some of the triggers associated with vaginal bleeding, and help your doctor choose a birth control pill that’s better for you based on when you’re bleeding.
Notify your doctor if vaginal bleeding is accompanied by other symptoms, such as headache or abdominal pain.
Birth control pills are the most effective method of birth control. However, sometimes there are exceptions. If you think you are pregnant, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Steps

Take medicine properly

Lifestyle adjustment

Seek medical help

Advice

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