Spotting on Birth Control: Causes, When to Worry & What to Do

Question
I've been on the pill for nearly 8 years now (currently tri cyclin lo) and I've never had any issues until now. My work schedule was erratic and it caused me to miss two pills in a row.

I believe as a result of that, my period was extremely heavy (lots of clotting) and it continued to spot for a little over a week after my period was due to be over (15 days total bleeding). It stopped for several days but now it appears that I'm getting my period a week early while still on the hormone pills.

I attempted to get an appointment with my doctor back when it was spotting but apparently she did not see this as a priority. Should I continue taking my pills as normal (i.e. a week with no active hormone) or should I take my next pack immediately after finishing the active pills in this one (a few days from now)?

Thank you.

Answer
Dear Andrea,

I hope you were able to get ahold of your doctor as I hesitate to give you advice in case I'm not exactly right. Have you ever considered going on some kind of non-hormonal birth control method instead of the pill? I don't usually recommend hormonal birth control methods because of problems and side effects.

I did find this article on a website that might be helpful. However, I cannot say that I know that this website is correct. So it's up to you what to do.

"If you missed 2 or more active (hormonal) pills
or if you started a pack 2 or more days late
Take 2 active (hormonal) pills as soon as possible and then continue taking pills daily. You should take 2 pills on the same day. You may take one at the moment of remembering, and the other at the regular time or both at the same time.
Also, use condoms or abstain from sex until you have taken active (hormonal) pills for 7 days in a row.
If you missed the pills in the third week of the pack, you should continue taking the active (hormonal) pills in your current pack daily. When all active pills have been taken, discard the pack and begin a new pack the next day. You should not take the 7 inactive pills. "

Let me know what happens. My private email address is DWooley97@aol.com
Maybe there are instructions on a paper in your package of birth control pills?
Hope to hear from you soon.

Diane W.