Possible Pregnancy Symptoms & Post-Pill Bleeding: What to Know

Question
Dear Nurse,
I thought I might be pregnant. I was experiencing nausea (mainly morning), frequent headaches, tender breasts, and just had a weird feeling. Took a test and it was negative. 2 days later while using the restroom noticed light bleeding and light brown (odor free) discharge-looked it up online and thought it might be implantation bleeding (lasted 2 days). In the middle of this I stopped taking my BC pills and now I am bleeding (very light). Is it due to the sudden stop of taking my pills or did I get me period (even if I am not pregnant I am not due for my period)? Thank you for any help and/or advice.

-Kendall

Answer
Dear Kendall,

When you stop taking BCPs in the middle of a cycle, the result often is some breakthrough bleeding - whether it would be the "normal" time for your period or not. The menstrual cycle relies on a very delicate balance of hormones and when those hormones get off-track, some amount of discharge or bleeding is usually the result. The sudden drop in the hormones you were taking in the BCP would likely be the result of the light bleeding you were noting after stopping if you had gotten a negative pregnancy test at least one week after a missed period and your previous sexual encounters had been protected.

At this point, I would suggest that you wait out the cycle until you have a normal menstrual period, then re-start your birth control regimen. Once you have a normal period again, go ahead and start a new pack of pills on the first Sunday after the period starts (if you were a Sunday-start taker before). The instructions in your BCP pills should explain the various methods of starting new pills. Make sure that you are protecting yourself by another means until that time to avoid pregnancy and/or STDs.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda