Brown Discharge After Starting Birth Control: What to Know

Question
I am only 16 I am on birthcontrol and I have sex. I just had my period like a week ago and this week I have had a light brown heavy discharge, I started a new birth control but it was okayed  

Answer
Dear Alexa,

A colored discharge - red, brown, or pink-tinged - is not at all unusual when starting on a new hormonal birth control method. The hormones that are in the birth control affect your body and can sometimes produce that side effect. Depending upon the prescription and how your body reacts to it, it can last only a short time during this first cycle, or it could last through this whole first cycle, or it could happen every cycle on and off. You will just have to wait and see how your body reacts. Most OB/GYN doctors prefer that you give a new prescription 2-3 cycles to give your body time to adjust to the changes before they make a switch to a different one. But if it is causing you enough problems on a regular basis after the first cycle, I'd suggest you at least give them a call to report it.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and apologize for the delay in answering. I recently moved and am in a mess.  :)

Brenda