Why is there a brown discharge and cramping after skipping placebo pills?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have been on Sprintec birth control pills for almost three months now, and I skipped the placebo pills to present periods. Today is my last day of active pills before the placebos, and I have noticed cramping and a slight brown discharge this morning. I have never experienced this symptom before. Is this normal? What does this possibly mean?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I thoroughly read your query and understand your concern.
Sprintec (ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate) is a hormonal contraceptive pill, and these hormones have side effects as well. Since you have skipped your placebo pills, these cramps are side effects of skipped placebo, it seems. Did you skip the placebo pills and start the next cycle with an outbreak? If it is like that, then cramps could be due to stopped menstrual bleeding. Now is your last day of active pills, so you better have placebo pills or have a break for a week to have a withdrawal bleed and then start the next cycle as usual to quit the side effects of continuous hormones. It might be possible that you experience mood variations, engorged breasts, etc., which are all side effects of hormones. Long-term side effects are unscheduled bleeding and endometrial hyperplasia that can lead to endometrial cancer. Combined contraceptives have long-term side effects of breast cancer as well. So it is better to avoid the same hormones for years to prevent their side effects.
I hope this has answered your query.
Kind regards.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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