When do I start OCPs (oral contraceptive pills)? Posted: 11-13-06 15:01pm
I went to planned parenthood on the 19th
of October! The Dr. said that Ortho
Tri-cyclen lo was safe enough to start
whenever you wanted instead of the normal
sunday. So, I did just this. I started
the 4th of this month and started noticing
around the 11th or so that I was having
brown discharge which i thought maybe was
just spotting. Today, I feel as I
normally would when I am on my period. My
stomach normally gets upset and I end up
having to go to the bathroom more than
regularly and this is exactly what is
happening. Is this spotting? Do I
continue taking the pills and happen to
have my period again once i take the last
7 pills, if this even if my period? Im so
confused and am starting to think I should
just go and get another pack and then
start again once this bleeding is over
with. What is this and what am i supposed
to do?
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Birth Control Answer A1880 Posted: 12-07-06 09:47am
Depending upon the OCPs (oral
contraceptive pills) prescribed, women
normally begin taking contraceptive pills
on the first day of the menstrual cycle,
technically the first day of your period
(menstruation). The vaginal bleeding that
you are experiencing now is probably not a
period but may be, instead, spotting. It
is probably the result of the body’s
adaptation to the new hormonal situation
caused by the pills. This type of spotting
usually lasts a few days and stops
spontaneously. You can continue taking the
birth control pills as they were
prescribed (one every day). If vaginal
bleeding continues and it begins to appear
(looking like) menstruation you must
consult your gynecologist (but don't stop
taking the birth control pills).
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