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Spotting

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kaykaymeg74
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Spotting

Unread post by kaykaymeg74 »

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?
Heather
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Re: Spotting

Unread post by Heather »

Spotting or breakthrough bleeding is a very common side effect of hormonal contraceptives at any time, including mid-cycle.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
kaykaymeg74
not a newbie
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:31 am
Age: 26
Awesomeness Quotient: My body
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Pronouns: She
Sexual identity: Straight
Location: New jersey

Re: Spotting

Unread post by kaykaymeg74 »

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?
Sam W
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Re: Spotting

Unread post by Sam W »

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.
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
Heather
scarleteen founder & director
Posts: 9732
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2014 11:43 am
Age: 54
Awesomeness Quotient: I have been a sex educator for over 25 years!
Primary language: english
Pronouns: they/them
Sexual identity: queery-queer-queer
Location: Chicago

Re: Spotting

Unread post by Heather »

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?
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
kaykaymeg74
not a newbie
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:31 am
Age: 26
Awesomeness Quotient: My body
Primary language: English
Pronouns: She
Sexual identity: Straight
Location: New jersey

Re: Spotting

Unread post by kaykaymeg74 »

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?
kaykaymeg74
not a newbie
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:31 am
Age: 26
Awesomeness Quotient: My body
Primary language: English
Pronouns: She
Sexual identity: Straight
Location: New jersey

Re: Spotting

Unread post by kaykaymeg74 »

sorry online not open
Sam W
previous staff/volunteer
Posts: 10320
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:06 am
Age: 33
Awesomeness Quotient: I raise carnivorous plants
Primary language: english
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: queer
Location: Coast

Re: Spotting

Unread post by Sam W »

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)
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
kaykaymeg74
not a newbie
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:31 am
Age: 26
Awesomeness Quotient: My body
Primary language: English
Pronouns: She
Sexual identity: Straight
Location: New jersey

Re: Spotting

Unread post by kaykaymeg74 »

Do those sound like good things to remember? Things that will help me get past it?
Sam W
previous staff/volunteer
Posts: 10320
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:06 am
Age: 33
Awesomeness Quotient: I raise carnivorous plants
Primary language: english
Pronouns: she/her
Sexual identity: queer
Location: Coast

Re: Spotting

Unread post by Sam W »

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.
And you to whom adversity has dealt the final blow/with smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go/turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain/and like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.
Heather
scarleteen founder & director
Posts: 9732
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2014 11:43 am
Age: 54
Awesomeness Quotient: I have been a sex educator for over 25 years!
Primary language: english
Pronouns: they/them
Sexual identity: queery-queer-queer
Location: Chicago

Re: Spotting

Unread post by Heather »

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.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
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