I just began taking the patch last week, and i'm having some issues. Sorry if this is complicated, please bear with me...

My periods usually start out very light, then get heavier on the 2nd or 3rd day. Last friday I got some spotting at the right day for my period to begin, so I put on my first patch (i wanted to do the first day start). Well, the spotting has continued, but my period never actually got off the ground - i'm hardly bleeding at all, it's all just light brownish spotting. I'm mostly concerned because I had unprotected sex the night after I put the patch on, thinkin that because my period had just begun that I was safe from pregnancy. Now it appears that my period hasn't really started after all, and I have no idea what to do.

I've been under a lot of stress lately what with college finals and all, and my periods have been slightly irregular and very sensitive to stress and other external influences in the past, so that might help explain it.

Anyway, i'm very confused! Has anyone else had this happen to them, or have any advice?