Birth control: Break through bleeding = still protected?

If I have break through bleeding while on hormonal birth control, does that mean that the dosage is too low? Am I still protected?
Answer:
Breakthrough bleeding does not mean that you are not protected.
(Exception -- if you are bleeding because you missed pills, then that is different.)

At least 30% of women have breakthrough bleeding in their first pack of pills.
The progesterone component causes a thinning of the uterine lining. Ultimately, you will have lighter and shorter periods because of this, but in the first few months bleeding may be irregular.

A higher dose pill will usually fix this problem, but could also cause you OTHER side effects. So if you are doing OK otherwise, you may want to try to stick it out.

Since breakthrough bleeding is harmless and resolves by the end of the third month in most women, most health care providers won't change pills until then unless it is really bothering you.

However, it can be extremely annoying to some women, so if it's that bad, talk to your doctor or midwife.

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i was haveing alot of break thru bleeding on my pill depending on how long you have been on it if you have been on the same pill for more than 5yrs your chance of getting preg increases if you just started you should give it 3 mo if still bleeding talk to your doctor about changeing pills you are still protected as long as your alway takeing it every day

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Breakthrough bleeding is common on the first three months of Birth Control so not to worry there.

You are still protected even if you have some break through bleeding, as long as you have not had significant amounts of diarrhea or have vomited.

If you are starting a new birth control or even for your first time, it usually takes one week up to one full pill cycle to become fully protected against pregnancy if taken correctly at the same time every day. As long as you have been doing this you will be fine.

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