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Treartment for SPOTTING caused by SPRINTEC pill.

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I have been on Sprintec birth control for the last four years. The past 2 months I have been spotting for approximately 20 days each month. They have been irregular, light sometimes, heavy at other times. I switched from Sprintec to Tri Sprintec 3 days ago and still am experiencing spotting - this time it feels like my period, and is heavier. I am very stressed out about having all of these irregularities with my period.

My concern is that it's something more than the birth control pill. My OBGYN seems to think it's the pill and going from Sprintec to Tri Sprintec might help but I can't continue this way. Spotting is STRESSING me out so much that I can't stop thinking about my period. When will it regulate? What if it doesn't regulate? What do I do?

Thank you

Category: OBGYN

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Category: Infertility Specialist
 23 Doctors Online

Hello
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com

It Is most likely due to the pill, relax.
It has been just 3 days of the Tri Sprintec, give it a week more, if it is breakthrough bleeding due to the hormones, it should stabilize.
Also, with any such kind of spotting that worries you, having a thorough workup always helps - atleast it reassures you that it is the pill and nothing else.
Common reasons for such spotting would include - stress of any sort, weight fluctuations, unaccustomed exercise, travelling, smoking, drinking, late nights, erratic eating , missing pills or taking emergency pills etc.
If none of this applies to you, have a thorough gynecological exam.
An internal evaluation ( per vaginum and per speculum ), Pap smear, pelvic sonogram, Hormonal assays ( FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin, OGTT, DHEAS, Free testosterone ) should be done.
This would rule out other likely possibilities such as a fibroid, cervical lesions, cysts, polycystic ovaries etc.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Regards.


Patient replied :

It's driving me crazy. The last few days it's been heavy, like my period. Now it's back to spotting, I don't want to keep switching pills but it's really driving me crazy. I am more stressed because of this, which is probably making it worse. When do I call my doctor? I start a new week today so I am hoping it stablizes. I switched mid cycle as my doctor said it would be fine. I did two weeks of sprintec and that Sunday I switched to Tri. But honestly it's so annoying.


Hello.
Give yourself one more week.
If it was because of the pill, it would be fine.
I can understand the agony of constant spotting / bleeding, but then frankly, switching pills midcyle is never a good idea.
Now that its done, wait it out please.
Regards.


Patient replied :

Great! It stopped. One more question.

the pharmacist said to wait a week for sex with my partner (monogamous)
we waited 9 days. Am I fully protected on the new pill? I know there is always a chance but I want to make sure that the new pill is fully in effect.


Glad for you, the agony is finally over !
Just make sure you do not skip or miss a pill now, the spotting might resume.
And yes, you are protected by the Tri Sprintec now.
Do not worry on that score.
Take care.


Dr. Aarti Vazirani
Category: Infertility Specialist
Experience: 
Residency: Obstetrics & Gynecolog, BJMC,Civil hospital, Ahmedabad, 2008
Post Graduate: MS (Obstetrics & Gynecology), B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, 2008
Medical School: MBBS, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, 2004
Dr. Aarti Vazirani and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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