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Q: 

I'm just finished with the first month of active BC pills and bleeding already started with nausea.

By Anonymous October 30, 2011 - 11:42am
 
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Today is the end of my first month of birth control pills. I haven't taken the sugar pills yet, but I'm already bleeding as if I'm on my period...or at least it seemed that way this morning. I have not had sex at all this month, and I haven't ever missed a period.

Yesterday, after I took my last active pill, I felt nauseous for a full four hours afterward (starting 15 minutes after I took it) and nearly vomited an hour after, and this morning I noticed that I was bleeding. I haven't felt nauseous much since I started the pills though, yet suddenly it got really bad. But I didn't take the pill with food, which I normally do, so could that have caused the nausea and vomiting feeling?

Also, should I be concerned that bleeding started the day before I got on the sugar pills, or is this natural for the first month? Also, is it possible that I would have few side effects the first month and they would start during the second and third months? I know breakthrough bleeding is a side effect, but I'm not sure if this is necessarily considered breakthrough bleeding or my period. Is what I'm experiencing totally normal for the first month?

Thank you!

Add a Comment1 Comments

Hi...the short answer is: everything you are experiencing is normal!

Let me explain with the longer answer...

You may begin bleeding (either spotting, breakthrough bleeding or your "period") before your sugar pills start..this is normal and to be expected with birth control pills. Most likely, as you take birth control pills longer, you will start your "period" on the same pill each time (ie, the 3rd sugar pill or last active pill). That's normal, and it's also normal if you have slight fluctuation in when your "period" begins.

Let your health care provider know after a few months if you experience too much breakthrough bleeding or spotting, as you can try different brands of pills that might work better with less side effects.

Nausea can be common if you take the pill without food. Be sure to talk to your doctor if this happens frequently, as you can try another dosage or brand of pill that does not have this side effect.

Let us know if you have any additional questions!

October 30, 2011 - 2:34pm
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