Why am i spotting on birth control
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Understanding Spotting While on Birth Control
Spotting, or light bleeding between menstrual cycles, is a common side effect experienced by many individuals using hormonal birth control methods. This article explores the reasons behind spotting, particularly focusing on the use of 3-month injectable birth control and extended-cycle oral contraceptive pills.
Hormonal Imbalance and Spotting
3-Month Injectable Birth Control and Progesterone Levels
Spotting can occur due to hormonal imbalances caused by the use of hormonal birth control. Specifically, 3-month injectable birth control, which increases the amount of the hormone progesterone in the body, is known to cause spotting. Research indicates that the duration of using 3-month injectable birth control significantly affects the incidence of spotting. Participants who used this method for less than two years experienced more spotting compared to those who used it for more than two years1. This suggests that the body may adapt to the hormonal changes over time, reducing the likelihood of spotting with prolonged use.
Extended-Cycle Oral Contraceptive Pills
Another study examined the effects of extending the traditional 28-day cycle of combination oral contraceptive pills to a 49-day cycle. The findings revealed that while the extended cycle resulted in fewer overall bleeding days, the number of spotting days remained similar between the traditional and extended cycles2. This indicates that while extended use of oral contraceptives can reduce the frequency of menstrual bleeding, it does not necessarily increase or decrease the incidence of spotting.
Conclusion
Spotting is a common side effect of hormonal birth control methods, primarily due to hormonal imbalances. The duration of use plays a crucial role in the incidence of spotting, particularly with 3-month injectable birth control, where longer use tends to reduce spotting. On the other hand, extending the cycle of oral contraceptive pills reduces overall bleeding days but does not significantly impact spotting. Understanding these dynamics can help individuals make informed decisions about their birth control options and manage expectations regarding side effects.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Duration of Use of KB Injections 3 Months Against Spotting Events in KB Participants
Using 3-month injection birth control for more than 2 years reduces the incidence of spotting in women, while shorter durations may increase the risk of spotting.
Menstrual Reduction With Extended Use of Combination Oral Contraceptive Pills: Randomized Controlled Trial
An extended 49-day oral contraceptive cycle resulted in fewer bleeding days and no increase in mean spotting days or bleeding episodes compared to a 28-day cycle.
RCT
Highly CitedExtended-Cycle Oral Contraceptive Pills with 10 μG Ethinyl Estradiol Pills in Place of Placebo Pills
Extended-cycle oral contraceptives with 10 g ethinyl estradiol in place of placebo pills effectively eliminate monthly withdrawal bleeding and address concerns with early stimulation of ovarian follicles and unscheduled bleeding.
Smoking and cycle control among oral contraceptive users.
Cigarette smoking increases the likelihood of spotting or bleeding among oral contraceptive users, potentially by increasing estrogen catabolism.
RCT
Large Human TrialHighly CitedHubungan Penggunaan Alat Kontrasepsi Kb Suntik Dengan Gangguan Perdarahan Menstruasi Pada Akseptor KB Di Puskesmas Tompobulu
Injection contraception is significantly associated with spotting disorders in family planning acceptors, but not with menorrhagia disorders.
Observational StudyContraception in chronic kidney disease: a best practice position statement by the Kidney and Pregnancy Group of the Italian Society of Nephrology
Personalized contraception is feasible and safe for all CKD women of childbearing age who do not want to get pregnant, with progestin only being generally safe and non-medicated intrauterine devices being good alternatives.
Clinical assessment of a new triphasic oral contraceptive.
The new triphasic oral contraceptive effectively prevents pregnancy, maintains cycle control, and is well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
Observational StudyCycle control with oral contraceptives: A review of the literature.
Despite their inconclusive bleeding patterns, oral contraceptives provide effective cycle control, with factors like chlamydial infection, smoking, and inconsistency of use affecting spotting rates.
Literature ReviewBirth control pills.
Birth control pills effectively prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and preventing egg implantation.
Oral contraceptives and cycle control: A critical review of the literature
Oral contraceptive use improves cycle control, with gestodene-containing preparations offering better control than desogestrel-containing ones, but more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Literature ReviewHighly Cited