HomeAnswersObstetrics and Gynecologyhormonal imbalanceDo you usually have spotting after taking emergency contraceptive pills?

Is it normal to have spotting while on emergency contraceptive pill?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 17, 2016
Reviewed AtJanuary 18, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been sexually active since four months. We initially did not use protection. In order to avoid pregnancy I have used emergency contraceptive pills for a few times now. My periods got delayed by a day or two but with no major changes in the cycle. Last month I found spotting around the time of ovulation and assumed that it was a sign for fertility. This month again I found spotting but it is a little severe, not much as during periods but still more than just spotting. Is there anything to worry?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, this is not acceptable if you take I-pill frequently. As these pills are of high hormonal content, it can mess up your internal hormonal balance. So you may have these type of bleeding disturbances for a few more weeks. Just relax. This bleeding could be due to this I-pill intake as withdrawal bleeding or some form of intermenstrual bleeding due to ovulation itself. I suggest you to start any form of regular contraceptive pills like Femilon or Novelon from day one of your next cycle. This will help to achieve protection as well as regularization of cycle.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your answer.

Yes, I wish to start on some sustainable plan for regular contraception for the future. I had regular menstrual cycles till a month back except for a delay in a day or two. Is there any way to know if these are periods or just intermenstrual bleeding? So that I can track my cycle and be more aware. Because, it does not seem to be just spotting like it was last month.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, sometimes it is problematic after an I-pill to know which one is true period and which one is an unscheduled bleeding. The easiest way is to stamp that bleeding episode as a period which occurs more than three weeks later or after a similar intermenstrual gap you had previously, following a bleeding episode. Just start any pills from the first day of that cycle and do not forget to use condom for this interim period.

Patient's Query

Hello Doctor,

As mentioned earlier I've had inter-menstrual bleeding. And my 'actual' period cycle is 30 day long and was expected to come on 15th. So far I have had no signs of any bleeding. And we have used condom for the interim period (the last time was on 15th this month) and in the meantime I have not taken any emergency contraception. When is it likely for periods to come? Also, when should i start worrying about pregnancy, if so, any?

Hello,

Welcome back to iCliniq.com

If you have your scheduled cycle on 15 th of this month, you should wait for at least 7 days more ( 3 weeks from the expected cycle date). If you have bleeding in the meantime, that is fine and start any contraceptive pills from the day one of cycle. If it is not present even after 3 weeks, definitely repeat a pregnancy testing. Probably it will be negative and then you will need a withdrawal bleeding with medicine to commence your cycle.

Patient's Query

Hello Doctor, So far there is no sign of my periods. As you have asked me to wait another week, I am still hoping for it to come this week. Can I get myself checked for pregnancy now? If so, how accurate will the results be in predicting my condition. And which one would you suggest for decisive results. I just want to ensure that I am not pregnant and that it is only because of the ipill that i had taken earlier.

Hi,

Welcome back to iCliniq.com

This is high time you should do a pregnancy testing. You can do it with a preg color gold card or preganews card. These are very sensitive and could detect pregnancy at its earliest.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bhattacharyya
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bhattacharyya

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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