Q:

I am 25 years old. I have been on birth control for the last 8 months. I have never had a period come before the end of my pill cycle before. Today my period started, and I still have a week and a half of pills left. I have cramps and I am menstruating enough to require a medium sized pad. Should I be worried about this?

What could cause this?

 

A:

Breakthrough bleeding can potentially happen anytime during hormonal pill cycles because of the low hormone levels leaving the lining of the uterus unstable, especially during times of stress, but it is important to make sure you are not pregnant or infected with a sexually transmitted infection potentially causing the abnormal bleeding pattern. If you are concerned about the potential of either of those, then call 650-3400 to make an appointment for abnormal bleeding.

~The Doc