Does the birth control shot cause spotting after periods?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am on a birth control injection and have been experiencing spotting for several months. I get my regular period, but after it ends, the spotting continues until my next period. What can I do about this?

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for reaching out.

If you are on a birth control injection, usually Medroxyprogesterone acetate, and have spotting (light bleeding between periods) that keeps happening, you are not alone. This is a common side effect, especially during the first six to 12 months.

The injection thins your uterine lining. That's what causes the irregular bleeding or spotting. Some women stop bleeding entirely after a while. Others deal with spotting for weeks, which gets old fast.

If it drags on, your doctor may put you on a short course of combined birth control pills (estrogen and progestin), or estrogen alone. Both work by steadying the lining.

It is important to get your injection on schedule to reduce hormonal changes that can worsen spotting.

If the bleeding is heavy, long-lasting, or affecting your life, your doctor may suggest switching to another contraceptive method with more predictable periods.

They may also check for other causes of unusual bleeding, like infections, uterine polyps (small, noncancerous growths on the lining of the uterus), or fibroids (larger, noncancerous tumors made of muscle tissue in the uterus), using a pelvic exam or ultrasound.

For now, keep track of your bleeding pattern, eat iron-rich foods if spotting continues, and talk to your obstetrician-gynecologist (a doctor who specializes in women’s reproductive health) about ways to manage the spotting while continuing your chosen birth control.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.