Q:
I am on the patch and I put on my "week 3" patch tomorrow. Today, I've noticed a red tint in my discharge, which is otherwise normal-looking. I am sexually active. Could the red tint be from intercourse, or an indication of pregnancy, or something else? Thank you for this service!
A:
Hi
Did you go without the patch at all in the last week? If it came off or partially detached for too long (over 24 hours) then the spot of blood could be in response to the falling hormone levels that that would cause. If it didn't detach at all, or detached no longer than 24 hours, I wouldn't worry about loss of contraceptive effectiveness. Bleeding at times we don't expect it can happen for many reasons. It is especially common in the first three months of trying a new birth control method. If you bleed much more than an occasional spot or have other symptoms such as abdominal pain, you should come in the clinic to be evaluated. Hope that that helps.
~The Doc
