Why am I having heavy periods after changing birth control pills?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been on birth control for more than two years. I was on the combined hormone pill for the first two years and had my period every three months. Around the halfway mark, I began to experience breakthrough bleeding. I always had light clotting during my periods and never had breakthrough bleeding before. Finally, about a week and two days ago, I started a new birth control. With this one, I will have my period every month again. After finishing my last pack and having my period, I began them. It is now a week and two days in, and today, I started getting heavy blood flow and have had six large-sized blood clots. Is this because of my new birth control? It has been nonstop all day. I also have been researching endometriosis because I have pain after, sometimes during, sex. I also experience painful periods and heavy menstrual cycles, even when on birth control. I am also anemic. I am currently on Lessina but was earlier taking Jolessa. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read the query, and I can understand your concern.

You have switched from a high-dose oral contraceptive continuous pill regimen, Jolessa (Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel) to a low-dose pill, Lessina (Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel). Hence, there is an early withdrawal in the form of a breakthrough bleed.

Continue the pills as scheduled, and you can add antifibrinolytics to control the bleeding. Dysmenorrhoea is often due to endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or chronic PID (pelvic inflammatory disease). Please get an ultrasound pelvis done and review the reports.

I hope this will help you.

Thank you.