Breakthrough bleeding can i get pregnant

It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care.

It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. French is an obstetrician—gynecologist who specializes in family planning. She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Expert View. Valerie French. It can happen with any type of hormonal birth control.

All these methods work by delivering hormones that prevent pregnancy. Some women are more likely to experience it. Some women can improve breakthrough bleeding on their own. Your ob-gyn can help. Cycles range from 28 days to months, depending on the type you choose. Anywhere from 30 to 50 percent of people using combination birth control pills experience breakthrough bleeding in the first 3 to 6 months of use.

This drops to 10 to 30 percent by the third month. The progestin-only birth control pill, also called the minipill, contains progestin but not estrogen.

You might not have a period while taking these pills, but some people do. Breakthrough bleeding is the most common side effect of the minipill. The pattern of unscheduled bleeding is also more unpredictable with the minipill than with the combined birth control pill.

Missing your pill by just 3 hours significantly increases your risk for bleeding, as well as your risk for unplanned pregnancy. Continuous birth control pills, such as Yaz and Seasonale , contain only active pills that are taken continuously for 3 months or continuously without a break. A missed dose is a common cause of breakthrough bleeding on the pill. Remembering to take your pill every day may reduce or prevent episodes of breakthrough bleeding. Smoking also significantly increases your risk for other complications on the pill, such as heart attack and stroke.

Starting a new medication or supplement can interfere with birth control and cause breakthrough bleeding. Always speak with your doctor before starting a new medication or supplement. Persistent vomiting or diarrhea can prevent your body from absorbing the hormones in your birth control. This may cause spotting or cause your contraceptive to be ineffective. These symptoms are more likely to develop in people with gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome IBS or inflammatory bowel disease IBD.

If you missed a dose or have symptoms of pregnancy , your doctor can perform a pregnancy test to rule it out. Though a small amount of bleeding and cramping in early pregnancy is common. It could also indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Light bleeding or spotting may be a sign of implantation bleeding. This occurs very early on in pregnancy, just 1 to 2 weeks after fertilization, when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus. In early pregnancy, more blood vessels are developing in the cervix, which can trigger light bleeding or spotting after sex or an internal exam.

Pregnancy loss within the first 13 weeks of gestation is known as a miscarriage , or early pregnancy loss. However, depending on the cause, it may resemble regular menstrual blood. Breakthrough bleeding frequently occurs in women who use the pill or another form of contraception , such as an intrauterine device IUD. However, many medical conditions can also cause irregular vaginal bleeding.

Anyone unsure of the cause should consult a doctor. In this article, we examine some of the most common causes of breakthrough bleeding, as well as management strategies and when to seek professional advice. Women who use hormonal birth control often experience breakthrough bleeding, particularly if they have recently switched contraceptive methods.

Breakthrough bleeding may occur for several months, as the body adjusts to the new form of birth control. Monthly packs usually contain 3 weeks of hormonal pills and an additional week of placebo pills.

During this final week, a period will occur because the person is not receiving contraceptive hormones. Other hormonal contraceptive pills, some containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, extend the amount of time between periods.

For example, a person taking this medication may get a period every 3 months. This method of contraception is also likely to cause breakthrough bleeding. There are also various birth control methods that may cause people to stop menstruating completely while the drug is active or device is inserted.

These include the implant, depo-provera, and mirena. The current medical consensus is that long term or even continuous use of birth control pills is safe, as menstruation is not physiologically necessary.

Women taking hormonal contraceptives may be more likely to experience breakthrough bleeding if they:. IUDs are popular forms of birth control. No daily pill is required, and a device can be functional for several years. Hormonal IUDs release a contraceptive medication called progestin, while copper IUDs prevent pregnancy without the use of hormones.

Both types cause changes to the menstrual cycle, and any such disruption may lead to breakthrough bleeding. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the pelvic area. This tissue may develop in the ovaries or fallopian tubes, or around the bladder or bowels. Uterine fibroids are abnormal growths that form in or around the uterus. There are many causes, including genetics and hormones.

Some people with uterine fibroids have no symptoms. Others experience breakthrough bleeding. Additional symptoms include:. As many as 30 percent of people who have been pregnant experienced breakthrough bleeding in the early stages.

The cervix is located at the base of the uterus. During pregnancy, it softens and becomes more sensitive. Intercourse and vaginal exams may be more likely to cause irritation.

If bleeding from the cervix is not related to intercourse or an exam, it may be a sign of cervical insufficiency.