Ortho-cycline and brown mucus spotting
Question
I am 23 y.o. and am currently taking ortho-cycline. I have been taking birth control for 8 years or so. I have always had irregular periods….usually the story is is that my periods are normal, and then i will have a light period for like 2-3 mos. I have been on several different birth controls…ortho-tricycline, seasonale, ect….the same thing happened with these bc too. Currently, with the ortho-cycline i am skipping the last week of pills and just starting a new pack to avoid a period. This will work for about 2 mos (i won’t have a period), then i’ll have brown-mucus spotting for about a month or so. I have no cramping or any other s/s. On the other bc’s, when I took them normally (not skipping the last week), it was still like this. My periods have never been bad at all….no heavy bleeding, no cramping ever! It’s just they are so inconvenient and annoying. Also, when I have the brown-mucus spotting, I normally don’t even have to wear a pad at night because nothing happens. It’s only during the day when I am up and around. Also, the spotting is very minimal…I only need 1-2 panty liners a day….but, still this is not normal and it is very annoying!! Could there be something wrong? I’m getting a little concerned. I probably will make an appt with my gyn, but wanted to know what you thought before I made my appt. Thanks for your time!
Answer
Most women will have much lighter menstrual periods while using birth control pills, Depo shots, the patch, and the latest IUD as it comes with a progesterone. With all of these products, women will experience spotting and bleeding at times. With the monthly products, women should have a period. With the other products, she may have a period. More likely, she will have the prolonged spotting and light bleeding.
This prolonged spotting and light bleeding is usually from the effects of the chemicals in the products acting on the endometrium (lining of the uterus or womb). The continued exposure to the products allows the lining of the uterus to build up but then shed or flow irregularly. By taking the pills without stopping, you are not allowing the lining to shed normally and so end up with irregular spotting and bleeding.
The presence of irregular bleeding also brings up other questions. First, is there also an infection causing the spotting and bleeding? Is there another hormonal disorder underlying the effects of the pills? Is there an undiagnosed pregnancy at this time? These need to be investigated.
Another question is why you were started with the pills. It sounds from your letter that you were experiencing irregular cycles at the age of 15 and started on the pill. It is not unusual for a 15 year old to have irregular cycles. It is usually due to your young age and the irregular sleeping and eating habits of that age group. However, it can be the sign of underlying health disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid disorders, or other related disorders.
Unfortunately, I have seen too many young women put on contraceptives for “irregular periods” when actually they have an underlying disease. The key is in diagnosing the problem, not masking it. The best way is to go off the contraceptives and get with a Natural Family Planning teacher who will teach you how to accurately chart your cycles. You and your doctor will have a much more precise way of checking your cycles with chart analysis, lab tests, and possibly ultrasound or surgery. Additionally, you will have an excellent health record to help you know when your period is going to start.
This is a much more healthy way of managing your health and fertility.
I hope that this will be of some help to you and your health.
Dr. Marsh
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