Breakthrough bleeding symptoms and conditions

I am in my first month and experienced nausea and migraine headaches with breakthrough bleeding. Noticed a little more sensitivity, crying urges and irritability; but I have slight mood swings anyway. My doctor says this is pretty common the first three months, but should pass after.

I am on my 3rd pack, 2nd week. My doctor prescribed this when I complained of heavy and painful periods, and also bleeding in between periods. The first month I started taking this, I had "breakthrough bleeding" that was more like a light period, for 2 weeks BEFORE my actual period. Yes, I was bleeding for 3 weeks out of the month.

The second month, there was "breakthrough bleeding" again, this time 1 week before my actual period. So I was bleeding for a total of 2 weeks of the month. Now I'm on my third month (because they say to give your body 3 months to adjust). After my period this time, I had light spotting for 2 full weeks, whereas I didn't the prior 2 months. Then today I started bleeding again, only it was more than just bleeding: it feels like a real period with cramps. I wasn't prepared and basically had an accident. I only JUST had my real period 2 weeks ago.

I seem to be bleeding more often now than before I started on Loestrin, so now I'm wondering why I'm doing this to myself. Should I just suck it up and take Midol during my periods and forget about these bc pills altogether?

I just turned 21 this month and went to the gyno for the first time just before my birthday. she gave me a trial pack (one month) of loestrin. a few of my friends are on yaz and told me about the horrible side effects, so i figured this one would be better since it's the lowest hormone dose and my body is super sensitive. i started them last week and since then i've been even more moody than usual, go into these random bouts of hysterical crying for no reason, and the worst part is that two days ago my "breakthrough" bleeding started- only it's not just spotting, it's basically like a full-blown period. i got blood work done (almost a month ago) at the gyno's, and i called last night because i hadn't gotten a call since. waiting to hear back this morning because there was a slight abnormality with the pap smear.. needless to say i'm pretty pissed with this doctor for not following up, and for leaving me in anxious suspense about what's wrong with me. is this normal to bleed like this? i went on birth control to regulate my severe, debilitating periods, and now i feel sick and have been bleeding for the past two days pretty heavily. :( really disappointed & upset.

I'm 23 and just started Loestrin 24. I noticed the negative side effects immediately- nausea, cramping, constant headache, breakthrough bleeding, and severe depression. In general, I feel sick and unwell; ironically, I feel like I'm in the first trimester of a pregnancy. My doctor told me it may take a few cycles for me to adjust to this pill but I don't think I want to commit to a pill that causes this many adverse health problems. I think a baby would be less hassle!

I've been taking Quasense for about 5 months now in which I had changed from the nuva ring because it was beginning to cause abnormal pap smears but I had really loved the nuva ring. When I started Quasense, I basically had the same symptoms of the bleeding even after a month being on it, so much I bought a pregnancy test b/c my gyno kept telling me that it's normal to occur it that my body is just trying to regulate itself. I also am experiencing acne, in which when I was on NuvaRing my skin was beautiful! It has gotten a lot better with the breakthrough bleeding but gosh, look how long it took! I still have little to none spotting( the brownish stuff). The most serious side effect that I have noticed in this 5th month of taking it is that I have become real melancholy. So much that I've even had suicidal thoughts and I'm generally a happy go lucky person. If I feel like I've hurt someone's feelings, it's like I get so depressed! Usually I would feel like, okay, let me apologize and then life goes on, but I think Quasense makes me so sensitive that I dwell and dwell on small issues to where it's like the end of the world! I've never felt so down in my life and that's what made me think about researching the side effects of it, and I found this website. Also, after intercourse with my b/f , I have severe burning, in which I never experienced and I figured it was from the Quasense pill because I've noticed it makes me have vaginal dryness. I mean who wants that at age 33, I'm not ready for menopause yet! I'm considering switching to something else, I just don't want to have to go through crazy side effects to achieve the same goal. Thanx for creating this website, for now I know I'm not the only one experiencing these side effects.

I have great experience with this pill unlike others. Just like with any pill you can get melasma which is dark spots on your skin. I got few but from my previous pill witch was Yaz (it was terrible; daily headaches, no periods which is normal but kept buying pregnancy tests because of it, terrible breast soreness, vaginal dryness, zero sex drive). With this pill, at the beginning of taking this pill, first few days I felt little nauseous but nothing that bothered me. First month I had some breakthrough bleeding but that was gone after a month. No headaches, slight breast increase which I am not complaining about (it can happen in pills with higher estrogen). No breast soreness, no weight gain, no darkening of the skin so far, sex drive is normal. The only negative, this pill costs $75.

I had Mirena inserted 3 months ago and have been experiencing so much irritability that my husband and my daughter have asked me to please have it removed. The first 2 months I experienced breakthrough bleeding and this month I got a period that has lasted 8 days and I am starting to cry for no apparent reason and feel nauseous. I am really considering having it removed but don't want to go back to the pill. I will give it another month and see what happens. I hope these symptoms are temporary.

I just started taking FEMCON a month ago and I stopped this morning! I am an active 27 year old who runs at least 15 miles a week with a small appetite. Since taking this pill I find it hard to make it through a run and I am eating constantly!! Nothing satisfies my cravings! Also, since taking this pill I wake up at night with calf cramping. I started taking the pill due to breakthrough bleeding, which has still continued. I tried to give the pill the benefit of the doubt and understand that within the first month weight gain and fatigue might be normal, however I feel HORRIBLE! I am changing my pill along with my doctor, who rather prescribe different pills than solve whatever real problem there is. I recommend Loestrin or zovia to anyone who is considering the pill.

Thank you ladies for all your comments!
:-)

The first few days were terrible for me, constant headaches and crazy mood swings. I'm on day 14 and things are starting to get better, except for the fact that i started bleeding yesterday (not spotting, period bleeding). My appetite is back to normal and my mood swings have calmed down quite a bit so I'm not as crazy (according to my boyfriend), but I do still have moments where I KNOW I overreact. I'm going to stick with Femcon and see how my body adjusts to it over time, hopefully the breakthrough bleeding will subside and I'll get back on track with my normal cycle. I'd say keep with it unless you're having unbearable side effects. Good luck to all of you! =)

I have gained weight being on Loestrin for 3 weeks... and been SEVERELY BLOATED non stop for 3 FULL WEEKS. It's like I'm pregnant or hiding a water balloon in my pants! The pressure is so horrible especially after I eat. Not to mention the breakthrough bleeding and depression! I was on BC pills for 11yrs straight - went off for a yr and went back on and have tried Yasmin. No difficulties what so ever, thought I switch to Loestrin to save money and all I did was week havoc on my system. I will NEVER AGAIN TOUCH THIS PILL. I am starting to take Yasmin again and can't wait to be normal. I can't fit into any of my summer pants...

I am so glad I decided to look at side effects of Yaz tonight. I have been on it for 4 months and have gone through hell the last 4 months. I attributed my depression and mood swings to losing my job, which I loved very much, and having to go back to waiting tables, which I don't love. But in the back of my head I knew that I would normally be able to weather this kind of thing with poise. Instead I've been crying myself to sleep almost every night, been short tempered with my daughter and husband, and had zero sex drive. When breakthrough bleeding happened again (I've had it every month), I called my doctor. She is switching my pill in 10 days, but after reading all this, I wish it were tomorrow. Anybody on this pill who has experienced any kind of life change (emotional, mental, physical) since taking it should request to be switched. As patients on a voluntary prescription like birth control, we have the right to switch whenever we choose. You don't have to wait 3 months!

i've been on loestrin24fe for about 8 months now, and most of my periods have been annoyingly unique. the first period was normal, the next only lasted a day or two, the following lasted 5 or 6 days with bad cramps...the fourth month i bled about 19 days total, mostly breakthrough...the fifth and sixth months were pretty much norma, lasting about 4 days, but accompanied by horrible cramps. the seventh was several days late....now im in the second week of month 8's pack and am having heavy breakthrough bleeding and bad cramps...is this normal at all? i also get horrible body aches during my period.

should i switch to something different? i went on birth control mostly to regulate my period and ease up on the debilitating cramps, but it has only made both problems worse! please please give me adviceeeee! i used to take depot provera, and i didn't have a period or anything for almost 3 years...however, i got osteoporosis from the damn thing, so i don't think i should go back. advice?!!?

I have a question. I'm 27 years old an just switched to Lestrin from Yaz. Had no problem with weight on Yaz. Been on Loestrin for about 2 weeks and have gained about 10 pounds. Anyone else have this issue?

I have been on NuvaRing for over 3 years now. When I first went on birth control I was using the ortho evra patch however, I was suffering from side effects such as nausea, always feeling sick and tired. I eat a lot and everything but while using the patch I felt TERRIBLE eating the blandest toast. I am not a heavy drinker but even one cocktail would cause me to be extremely sick. I switched to NuvaRing and since then I was back to my normal self. Not only that but while on the NuvaRing my period is like CLOCKWORK, I know exactly when I am getting my period. I did not experience any breakthrough bleeding and my periods are extremely light. Overall the switch to NuvaRing was so worth it.

This is my experience. I started using Loestrin 24 fe on May 2-09 and well I thought everything was going well but on the 10th I was feeling a little cramping but didn't think much of it cause well I had just gotten off my period. But when I went to the bathroom to pee n wiped I noticed that I was slightly spotting. So I thought to my self ok maybe some spotting is normal. But then I started to cramp more and actually started to bleed like a light period. I was a little freaked out cause well I had just finished my period a week ago. It's been such a nightmare cause I've been bleeding for 8 days now and cramping. I'm extremely moody I can hardly sleep and I can't take it anymore cause well can't really be sexually active if ur bleeding right??? So I made an appt. for Wednesday maybe my Gyno can give me something else cause this is definitely not working for me!!!

I was wondering.......it hurt like hell when it was inserted. For those of you that had it removed, "HOW BAD DOES THE REMOVAL HURT?" I am afraid to have it removed but know it is necessary.

I've called my doctor and am waiting on a reply from the nurse. I want my Mirena removed. I posted my symptoms on May 8th. I've had mine in for 4 1/2 months.

My symptoms are in order of severity:

*heavy bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks (pads or tampons with breakthrough bleeding and pantiliner 24/7)
*acne on my back, butt and jawline (going to Derm. and using ProActive)
*I've gained 15 lbs in the past 4 months and it won't come off
*headaches
*a sore spot in my spine (I was fearful I had cancer)
*facial hair
*bloating (I look 4 months pregnant 1/2 of the time)
*low libido
*irritable and moody more than usual
*sore breasts

I thought I was going crazy. I am engaged and so happy to be getting married! But since I started NuvaRing in November, lots of these symptoms listed in this blog have crept up on me. I too thought this was the most wonderful birth control... Put it in, take it out. So easy! But the past 2 months, I started having serious break through bleeding. To the extent I need to wear a tampon with it. I immediately figured it had to be because of the nuvaring, because in 31 years, I've NEVER had this. Well, the stupid ring fell out some how the beginning of this week. And I had kindof decided to change to a different method of birth control and just forget about it after that. So that whole bleeding, falling out episode led me to do a bit more research on the ring, rather than just reading their website. I came across this blog. I now looking back realize that I have been experiencing depression, crying, anger, all the emotional related side effects. I dismissed it as just extreme stress. Now, I realize that I think it was the ring because prior to getting on it in Nov. I wasn't feeling like that. I'm also an avid exerciser, gym lover, runner, biker... Not since November. I've just wanted to go to sleep. I just want to sit on the couch. Going to the gym is so hard! I gained about 8 lbs since Nov. too. I thought it was me going crazy. Now I've stopped the NuvaRing. Hopefully I can get back to my happy go-lucky self. Can anyone tell me how long it took them to feel better? If you had breakthrough bleeding, did it stop after you were off the ring? How long did that take?

I have been on Quasense for 4 cycles, (a full year ) The first two no problems, the three a little breakthrough bleeding but only lasted two days or so and stopped. Now that I'm on the 4th cycle, bleeding everyday! I thought this was suppose to be helpful not an inconvenience. I am so confused and frustrated. Why now after a year of no problems? But After reading some of these posts I have noticed very severe mood swings and uncontrollable emotions. Crying a the drop of a dime. This stuff is evil!

I was on the pill for about five or six months (mircette). I quit taking it for about a month and was told to start the nuvaring after my febuary period. I had my period off birth control starting the 8th. Usually they're very short but this one was long and endd about the 13th. I put my first nuvaring in Saturday about 1145pm on the 14th. I couldn't get it situated or comfortable and it was burning. I left it in and after two days I took it out Monday and decided it wasn't for me. That the the 16th. I took a pregnancy test the day two days before I started my period and it was negative. But since taking the nuvaring out after only TWO DAYS I've had horrible headaches, dizziness, I'm tired and moody. I woke up this morning with bleeding. Only two weeks after my period. I called my gyno and she acted like i was silly for calling and asking and said its probably only breakthrough bleeding. Is this normal? has anyone ever experienced this, because I'm panicing?

Almost forgot here is the truth :
The side effects are : ******

SERIOUS side effect such as:
• severe cramps or pelvic pain;
• extreme dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;
• heavy or ongoing vaginal bleeding, vaginal sores, vaginal discharge that is watery, foul-smelling discharge, or otherwise unusual;
• severe pain in your side or lower stomach;
• pale skin, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding;
• fever, chills, or other signs of infection;
• pain during sexual intercourse;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden or severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, sensitivity to light;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

LESS SERIOUS side effects may include:
• irregular menstrual periods, changes in bleeding patterns or flow;
• breakthrough bleeding, or heavier menstrual bleeding during the first few weeks after device insertion;
• back pain;
• headache, nervousness, mild dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting, bloating;
• breast tenderness or pain;
• weight gain, acne, changes in hair growth;
• mood changes, loss of interest in sex;
• mild itching, skin rash; or
• puffiness in your face, hands, ankles, or feet.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Drug Interactions

http://www.drugs.com/ppa/levonorgestrel.html

Laboratory Test Interactions
Endocrine tests may be affected. Sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations may be decreased; thyroxine concentrations may be slightly decreased and triiodothyronine uptake may be increased.
Adverse Reactions
Cardiovascular
Syncope, bradycardia, hypertension (intrauterine system).
CNS
Headache; nervousness; dizziness; decreased libido (intrauterine system).
Dermatologic
Dermatitis; acne; hirsutism; hypertrichosis; scalp hair loss; pain, itching, or infection near implant site.
GI
Nausea; change in appetite; abdominal discomfort.
Genitourinary
Prolonged, irregular, frequent, or scanty bleeding; spotting; amenorrhea; cervicitis; leukorrhea; vaginitis.
Metabolic
Weight gain.
Respiratory
Upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis (intrauterine system).
Miscellaneous
Adnexal enlargement; mastalgia; breast discharge; implant removal difficulty; musculoskeletal pain.
Bleeding irregularities
Most women can expect variation in menstrual bleeding patterns.
Delayed follicular atresia
Follicle may grow beyond usual size and may resemble ovarian cyst.
Ectopic pregnancies
Have occurred, although relationship to drug is not established.
Intrauterine pregnancy
Risk of septic abortion, miscarriage, sepsis, premature labor, and premature delivery may be increased with the intrauterine system.
Ocular lesions
Retinal thrombosis has occurred with oral contraceptives; consider possibility in levonorgestrel users.
Perforation
Perforation of the uterus and cervix by the intrauterine system may occur.
Thromboembolic disorders
Remove capsules if thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disease occurs. Consider removal in patients immobilized for prolonged periods.
Valvular/Congenital heart disease
Patients with certain types of valvular or congenital heart disease and surgically constructed systemic-pulmonary shunts are at increased risk of infective endocarditis, and use of the intrauterine system may represent a potential source of septic emboli.

YEP ! It's in there !

Hi, I have been taking birth control for almost four years now. It has been a journey like many woman have experience. I started with Diane which made me gain a lot of water weight! More than 10 pounds in a month!!! Then I switched to Yasmin, which was grate for a few months and started to have mood swings and severe depression, I went psycho with this pill, doctors prescribed me and antidepressant which in turn made me loose the little libido I had left… so I switched to Nortrel which was ok, but I still gained weight, so finally I started Loestrin24Fe about four months ago. The first two months were fine, a little spotting between weeks two and three, but I considered normal since is a side effect, after that, no more breakthrough bleeding but lately I find it extremely difficult to wake up every morning, my head feels so heavy!!! It feels inhumane to wake up!! ( I have never ever had that problem before) and also I feel that my libido is slowly disappearing… so, so far that’s the story…. Have any of you experience anything like this with Loestrin24Fe, and if you have, how did you solve this problem?? I found a website that suggests taking multivitamins, but don’t know if its going to work.
Anyhow… please help!

I am currently on Loestrin 24, and have been for four months. The first month, I experienced breakthrough bleeding after two weeks, then it went away a couple days later and I had a very, very light period. Then, The second month, everything went well and I had a normal period. In the third month, I experienced a light period, again. Then, in the fourth month, i experienced the weirdest things yet. Now, keep in mind I was stressed out from moving, but I had a full-fledged period in the second week of my pills. Then, things were off and on because I kept on taking it late, or forgetting until the next morning, for three days. Then, because of this, I had a light, ovulation period again, like not even a period at all. Finally, when I did get to my brown pills, I did not even have a period, except for some spotting (again) on the last brown pill. i still have it now, although I haven't taken the first white pill of the next month yet. I am really quite aggravated, and worried that it isn't working and will not do it's job at preventing pregnancy. I have also been experiencing sharp headaches since taking the pill, loss in appetite for sex, moodiness, and bitchiness the day before I get my period, and most recently, for the past two nights, I have not been able to sleep.

I have been on the NR for about two weeks nows. Since I started the ring I have noticed much nauseousness and stomach pain.. I like most other women have been extra tired and have experience a loss in sex drive, and much back pain. My ovaries feel like they were in a fight and lost. I was on pill BC ( alesse) because i used to experience a lot of discharge and he low hormones cleared it up almost completely, after three years on that I started having breakthrough bleeding and my doctor thought I should try the ring because she thought it was so good.. but the increase of discharge has been so heavy i have to wear a liner everyday. The past three days i have also been having mild headaches. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow.. Its good to know its not just in my head.. Good luck to everyone who has had bad luck with the NuvaRing

My OBGYN put me on this pill to regulate my period. I have had prolonged period lasting 2 to 2 1/2 weeks in the last four months which caused me to be anemic. I am 32 and this is the first time i have used a bc pills. I am on my first trial pack and on my second week of using the pills. So far, no extreme side effects for me. The only thing that concerned me is that I am experiencing breakthrough bleeding, which from reading some of the posts here, is quite normal. 2 days after taking the pill, my period did stop. Then on the 3rd or 4th day, I had light spotting and now i seem to have a light period. I did feel cramps as well but nothing too painful. What bugged me the most is the gassy, constipation feeling. But other than that, no extreme emotional symptoms. Other than the breakthrough bleeding, I still have to give my bc pills a chance to see if it really is working.