Common "Withdrawal Bleeding" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Withdrawal Bleeding

Withdrawal bleeding is the monthly bleeding women on regular birth control pills experience during the pill-free period (or placebo week). Withdrawal bleed is not exactly the same as a menstrual bleed. It is caused by a slight change in hormonal levels and is much lighter than periods and also lasts fewer days.

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I had unprotected sex with my girlfriend following which she took an I-Pill and experienced withdrawal bleeding but she has not got her period yet. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, My girlfriend had her period in the second week of last month which lasted for three days. We had unprotected sex 11 days after her period, and she took an I-Pill just 10 minutes after the intercourse. She had bleeding four days after the incident which increased in the next four to fi...  Read Full »


Dr. Sanap Sneha Umrao

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query, and I can understand your concern. Sometimes, periods might get delayed by one or two weeks because of hormonal changes caused by taking the pill. Also, she has experienced withdrawal bleeding, so there are more chances that she may get delayed per...  Read Full »

Can pregnancy still occur after taking the emergency pill?

Query: Hello doctor, My fiancé and I got intimate last week. The top part of his penis was wet. I am not sure if it was urine or pre-cum. He rubbed his penis outside my vagina, but there was no penetration. I took Unwanted 72 on the next day. Are there any chances of pregnancy?  Read Full »


Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Answer: Hi, I am glad you chose icliniq for your medical-related queries. I understand your concern and will try to help you with it. The likelihood of pregnancy is extremely low for several reasons. Firstly, there was no penetration, and therefore no ejaculation of semen into the vagina. Additionally, yo...  Read Full »

My periods are delayed after taking contraceptives. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, I had unprotected sex on the sixth day of my cycle and took an emergency contraceptive pill, followed by withdrawal bleeding after two weeks, followed by no period on the expected date. Negative pregnancy urine test 21 days after unprotected sex and negative blood serum hCG 45 days post ...  Read Full »


Dr. Richa Agarwal

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your history and understand your concerns. Withdrawal bleeding is only a side effect of an emergency contraceptive pill(Levonorgestrel). It happens due to the sudden withdrawal of hormones from your body. So, it does not necessarily happen to everyone....  Read Full »

I am having bleeding after taking contraceptive pills. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I have been on Depo shot for a year. I switched to the pill, as the shots did not go well. I took the pill for seven days when I first got it, then stopped for the past three weeks. I have been having on-and-off bleeding (brown or pink) and have had intermittent headaches for the past...  Read Full »


Dr. Vandana Andrews

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you stopped taking the birth control pill for three weeks and have been experiencing brown or pinkish vaginal bleeding and headaches, you may be experiencing a withdrawal bleed. Withdrawal bleeding can occur when you stop taking hormonal contraceptives, as your body...  Read Full »

Could I-pill cause headache, irritation and body pain?

Query: Hi doctor, I had unprotected sex with my wife on the fourth day of her menses and she took I-pill within 24 hours. The next day also we had unprotected sex and she again took an I-pill. After eight days, she bled and eight days later again she bled. She should get her menses by now, but still she di...  Read Full »


Dr. Neha Rathod

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. She has already bled twice this month and that means to say that she has already done with her periods, though before actual date. So, now she will not have her periods. Moreover, you said that the urine pregnancy test is negative and so there is nothing to worry about....  Read Full »

I have not had periods after taking contraceptives. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, My last period ended on the first of this month. I had sex on the fifth of this month. After 34 hours of sex, I took Unwanted 72, and again after nine hours, I took I-pill for more safety. But after that, I had no bleeding or vomiting, but on the 18th and 19th, I had a little blood in...  Read Full »


Dr. Sameer Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The bleeding you had on the 18th was your withdrawal bleed, but it was scanty because you took two emergency contraceptive pills in less than 48 hours. The negative urine pregnancy test, which is done today on 29th, rules out pregnancy. However, the best way to concl...  Read Full »

I have missed period despite taking Norethisterone. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, I have missed my periods for one month. I did a home pregnancy test and it was negative. Therefore I met a doctor to do a proper check. He scanned me and said I am not pregnant and I have fibroids in my uterus. He requested me to stop having birth control pills as I have very thin walls i...  Read Full »


Dr. Uzma Arqam

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. For irregular cycle treatment, you get it right but dose and days should be extended and then withdrawal bleed you would have in 1 to 2 weeks not just after finishing tablets. The dose of Primolut N should be 10 mg twice daily for five days and then wait for bleeding fo...  Read Full »

I feel tired and have bleeding after taking protective pill. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, The next day of my period, I had unprotected sex. On the 25th hour, I took I-pill. On the seventh day, I again having my period. And now my legs are tired. I do not know why is this. The doctor please help me. Will I become pregnant?Thank you.  Read Full »


Dr. Uzma Arqam

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Emergency contraceptive pills are hormones and have their side effects as well. One of most common is irregular bleeding. Everyone's body responds differently to hormones, but major effects are the same. Have you any bleeding disorder? Have you been treated for any c...  Read Full »

I had no withdrawal bleeding after taking a protective pill. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 20-year-old female, height 5.4 feet, and weight 143 lbs. I had two I-pills in one month. After the first I-pill, I got withdrawal bleeding after five days. It lasted for four days and the flow was normal. After 14 days of this incident, I again had protected sexual intercourse and ...  Read Full »


Dr. Neha Rathod

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. As you have taken an emergency pill within 72 hours of intercourse there is no chance of pregnancy. This could be because of hormonal changes due to the pill you have taken. So relax and do not worry. But please do not use the pill so frequently, as it is a hormonal pil...  Read Full »

I took Unwanted 72 after sex. Will I get pregnant?

Query: Hello doctor, My periods ended on 10th, and I had sex on 12th. Within an hour after intercourse, I took Unwanted 72. On 14th, I bled only for one day. Is there a chance of pregnancy or not?  Read Full »


Dr. Neha Rathod

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Since you have taken the emergency pill within 72 hours of intercourse there is no chance of pregnancy. The bleeding could be because of hormonal changes due to the pill you have taken and its withdrawal bleeding. So, relax and do not worry.   Read Full »

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