Scarleteen

Hi I'm on my second month of birth control, I'm in the middle of the pack and just yesterday I started getting some brown spotting/discharge. Is that normal for the middle of the pack?

Spotting or breakthrough bleeding is a very common side effect of hormonal contraceptives at any time, including mid-cycle.

Could you explain why this bleeding happens? And why it didn't happen on my first pack but it's happeening now mid on my second pack?

Hi Kaykay,

Breakthrough bleeding happens because your body is, essentially, having to adjust it's cycle to being on the pill. As for why now and not when you first started, that's also part of your body adjusting and trying to figure out when to do what now that you're taking these pills.

Also, side effects of any medication are not guaranteed to happen, so becuase they do at one time does not mean they cannot again, nor that something has been wrong when they have not happened.

Any progress on seeking out help with your anxiety?

I started an open therapy session. I've also started realiZing that I didn't have sex, has my period, withdrawel bleeds and all and that wearing pants can not cause a pregnancy. There are times when Im nervous about it still but in trying to accept the facts and it's getting a little better. Does this sound like progress?

sorry online not open

Hi kaykay,

Glad to hear you've started accessing some therapy It sounds like, from your own description, you're making progress, even if it's in little steps (which is sometimes all we can manage)

Do those sound like good things to remember? Things that will help me get past it?

Yes, I would say those are all sound things to remember to help you cope with the anxiety around this. However, anxiety is sometimes a trampoline that facts just bounce off of. So, you may want to talk to your therapist about ways to counter anxious thoughts when facts don't seem to be enough.

That's the kind of conversation to be having with your therapist. They're the experts, after all, when it comes to mental healthcare and the person you have chosen to help you manage yours.