Scarleteen

Hey everyone,

I have been on my combination pill levora for a full two months now and I experience either brown or red small spotting once or twice during weeks 1,2, or 3. (I have my regular bleed every month during week 4)., is this normal for birth control pill users to have spotting during the active pill weeks? I am in the first week of my third pack and I just had small red spotting again. If this is normal, is there a projected time when it should not happen anymore?

Hi Hearth,

Yes, spotting is a possible side effect of the pill. Like many side effects, it may come and go, so we can't really say when it might stop.

Ok thanks!

If it doesn't stop after a certain point should I talk to my doctor? Is it bad to have spotting?

You're welcome

That's up to you. If you're finding it annoying to have spotting, you may want to talk to your doc about switching (although there is no guarantee that the other pill would not have a similar effect.)

Too, just to check, if you are or have been sexually active, are you up to date on your STI tests?

When I was at planned parenthood 2 months ago they tested me for STDs but I'm not sure about STIs. Would I know if I had an STI?

I shouldn't be worried about this affecting my regular bleeding at the end of the month right? This bleeding is common for girls on the pill?

STIs are the same as STDs - it's just a newer name (sexually transmitted infections instead of sexually transmitted diseases). So you don't need to worry about anymore tests.

Spotting is a common side effect of the pill, yes. Sometimes it can affect your withdrawal bleed, but there's no way to know whether it will or not.

Oh ok so basically since I am up to date on my tests, the only explanation for this spotting is the pill then right? I just had my period last week so it can't be pregnancy right?

We can't say for certain, but the pill side effect is the most likely explanation. If you're concerned that you may be pregnant, then your best bet is to take a test to get your answer

Is it possible to rule out pregnancy since I just had my period 6 days ago and I have not had sex since then?

If you've had a period since you last had sex, then yes, you can assume you're not pregnant

Ok great, so the only explanation for this spotting can be the pill right? If not, what other explanations are there?

Thanks!

Yep, pill is the most likely explanation (I can't say it's the for sure one, since I'm not a doctor), so I would not stress out about it.