OP: On Loestrin24Fe, should spotting be regular?

Three months is a common time for women to adjust. The spotting is not normal but not really unusual. It seems that you are spotting at about the time ovulation would occur if you were not on the pill Your body is still not quite sure about the hormone levels. Many women do experience this even when not on the pill. I have one patient who spots every other month and experiences some pain on her right side at the same time. This indicates that she is ovulating from the right ovary and experiences some discomfort and spotting; the alternate months, she experiences nothing when ovulating from her left ovary. I point this out to indicate all women function slightly differently from others. Many women do have intermittent spotting whether or not they are on hormones

After five months, you should discuss this with you doctor. Do not make any adjustments on your own.

Brandye

Posted: 30 Sep 00:51

Thanks. I'll definately talk to my doctor about it. Do you think changing the time I take the pill could cause spotting too? (not late but early)

newatthis

Posted: 30 Sep 00:51

The time would make no difference. Whilst talking to your doctor, ask her why the pill with iron? The same formulation is available without the iron sulfate. Not raising a problem, just wonder why the iron supplemented pill was chosen.

Brandye

Posted: 30 Sep 00:51

> The time would make no difference. Whilst talking to your doctor, ask her why the pill with iron? The same formulation is available without the iron sulfate. Not raising a problem, just wonder why the iron supplemented pill was chosen.

Marketing. free samples, trips on the drug company's for prescribing, and then lobbying. All political---as you know the quantity & quality of FE is so low in this specific pill. Augmented by a regular FE and this added; MIGHT be of benefit! Personal opinion only here and watching the presumptions flying out as to what is fashionable".

If a person is so low why not IV infuse or use the old Z-track [assuming they cannot absorb well internally, GI, and have a dumping of the FE] seen often with pernicious anemia. I would also ask you doc is he/she states your are anemic the cause...not settling for all women are. I damned near died due to not one seeking out why I was anemic, how to correct, Vit B12 was also absent. All was corrected and now not a mental case...undecetable B12, meds, all influence the outcomes. Be certain to check and do not be afraid to have to take IM or SQ B12; and if required IV Infed for a temporary fix until all is well controlled. Saved my life--the Hematologist and Oncologist!.

sera300

Posted: 30 Sep 00:51

Well as far as I know I'm not anemic and my doctor didn't ask if I was when she prescribed it. This is the only kind of pill I've been on so she was just prescribed a basic one I guess to try out and see how it is. I haven't had any side effects or anything. The spotting is the only thing I was wondering about. I will check with my doctor though.

newatthis

Posted: 30 Sep 00:52

Ask her why this specific pill & tell her you wish to try a new one due to the side effects! Good luck!

sera300

Posted: 30 Sep 00:52

Will do. You can't change pills though until you start a new pack right? It's going to be like starting all over again isn't it? I mean adjusting to it for three months. Now if I was getting a new pill, do I need to wait a full pack before it's safe to have sex without the condom and rely on the pill. I use vaginal spermicide too. Or since I've already been on birth control for five months does it matter?

newatthis

Posted: 30 Sep 00:52

Depends so talk to the doc. Do not stop taking until advised & follow the instructions your MD gives you. Might find you end up on a higher dose...

sera300

Posted: 30 Sep 00:53

It is most convenient to change your pill between packs. If you are staying on essentially the same formulation, it is just like continuing with your same pill and you should not need backup contraception.

Recognize we are not criticizing your doctor. I, personally, avoid use of combination prescriptions (in this case iron and hormones) of any kind. There may be a perfecetly good reason for this pill.

Brandye

Posted: 30 Sep 00:53

I'm taking the pill Loestrin24Fe. This kind of pill has the regular hormone pills and then the last four days are brown pills with no hormones for you to have a period. I was wondering if it's ok or normal to start your period the day after you start the brown pills instead of the day you actually start them. I've been on this pill for over a year and sometimes i start on the day but its minimal if anything. The last couple months or so i've started my period the day after and it lasts sometimes for three days after i've stopped taking the brown pills. Just to ask too..if I was pregnant, I wouldn't have any sign of bleeding at all would I? I should only worry if nothing comes right?

newatthis

Posted: 30 Sep 01:58

You are perfectly fine... your period doesn't start automatically when you start taking the "period" pills. You body needs time for the level of hormones to drop so that your period can start.
I take Orthotricyclen lo. There are a weeks worth of the "period" pills in the pack. I take the the 1st one on Sun but my period doesn't start til Wed, sometimes Thurs. Then of course the following Sun I start my brand new pack but my period may go til Mon/Tue.

demonbuttercup

Posted: 30 Sep 01:59

Your period begins when the level of hormones in your blood stream tells it to. Sometimes it takes a few days until the therapeutic dose thresh hold is reached. Similarly, you may still be bleeding when it is time to start the pills again. Take as directed.

See the sticky Caution: Take Only as Directed. It explains how the pill works.

Brandye

Posted: 30 Sep 01:59