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When will withdrawal bleeding occur after a contraceptive?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My girlfriend is 21 years old, and she had her period 23 days ago. We had intercourse 12 days ago. She took an I-pill within three hours of sex. She had bleeding. We could not guess anything, whether it was withdrawal bleeding or something else. It happened for five days.

She has a regular cycle of five to six days. We are expecting her period to come within a week. She is worried about her periods. She is also taking medications for acne. She has body pain, headache, and sore nipples.

Kindly help us.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Bleeding occurs due to high levels of progesterone present in the I-pill (Levonorgestrel). So it has caused withdrawal bleeding, and it shows that the pill has worked. The date of the next menstrual cycle will change. Her menstruation will come later this month. But it is quite normal, and there is nothing to be worried.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Is there a chance for her to become pregnant?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I do not think that there is a probable chance for her to become pregnant.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

How to know whether it was menstrual bleeding or withdrawal bleeding?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Withdrawal bleeding occurs a few days after taking an I-pill. Normal menstruation will occur after ten days if her cycle length is 28 days.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I heard that it usually takes around 20 to 28 days to have normal menstruation after having withdrawal bleeding, or you will not get periods. I am confused.

Kindly help me.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

After withdrawal bleeding, we cannot predict the exact date of menstrual bleeding. But for sure, the next cycle will be delayed by ten to twenty days.

Taking an ultrasound helps in evaluating the thickness of the endometrium and determines the phase of the cycle.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

My girlfriend had grain-sized pink discharge today. She is having her sixth day of withdrawal bleeding.

Please tell me whether this pink discharge means that she is pregnant.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It does not mean that she is pregnant. But she can do a pregnancy test after seven days of her actual menstruation date if you want to be sure.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I am worried about pregnancy. I gave her the I-pill within three hours of intercourse, and after seven days, she had withdrawal bleeding. Today is her sixth day, and she has had a pink discharge.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

All the details suggest that she is not pregnant. Do not be worried.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I am really worried about her periods. When can I expect her periods?

Kindly tell me the exact date.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

She will get her period soon.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

She had withdrawal bleeding after taking an I-pill.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

By having a regular menstrual cycle, her cycle can be postponed for 15 to 20 days this month. We cannot say the exact date. Taking an ultrasound helps a lot.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Please mention whether bleeding happened due to the I-pill or pregnancy.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Implantation bleeding occurs at six weeks of pregnancy, and so you can have pregnancy bleeding after 15 days of intercourse.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Please mention whether the bleeding was caused by the I-pill.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, the I-pill contains progesterone. It causes changes in menstrual patterns. If you are tense, I suggest you do a pregnancy test or a serum beta hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) test after four days.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Thirty minutes later, my girlfriend experienced spotting with brown discharge. Due to tension, she had vomiting.

Does this mean that she is pregnant?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No, these are not signs of pregnancy.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Do these suggest periods?

Her normal periods should start around the fifth or sixth of this month.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Her periods will start soon, and brown discharge is the first sign seen.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

She is tense as she is not having any cramps.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

She can do a pregnancy test to confirm it.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Is it normal to have spotting after 15 to 20 days of having withdrawal bleeding?

She is having brown discharge with blood in the vaginal area.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Irregular bleeding with spotting occurs due to side effects of I-pill.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Answered byDr. Lorena Zijaj

Medically reviewed byDr. K. Shobana

Published At May 13, 2021
Reviewed AtMay 26, 2026

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

Dr. Lorena Zijaj
Dr. Lorena Zijaj

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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