Bleeding after taking the emergency contraceptive pill: What you need to know

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Bleeding on oral contraceptives is a common side effect of oral contraceptives. This symptom is especially common during the first trimester of using hormonal birth control. Here's what you need to know if you experience bleeding after taking the emergency contraceptive pill.

1. What is sudden bleeding after taking birth control pills?

Vaginal bleeding is a common side effect of birth control pills. This is quite common during the first three months of using hormonal birth control. Symptoms can also occur after you change to a different type of birth control or an oral medication with a different dose of estrogen.
Bleeding on oral contraceptives is usually not a cause for concern, but it can sometimes be related to an underlying medical condition. Light bleeding is not a cause for concern, but if it is heavy or continuous, you need to see a doctor right away.
You should monitor the amount of bleeding, timing and duration of bleeding. This information can be important to help your doctor diagnose the cause of your vaginal bleeding.

2. Why is bleeding after taking the emergency contraceptive pill?

Some of the risk factors that can lead to bleeding after using emergency contraception include:
2.1. The type of birth control pill you use The combined oral contraceptive pill is the most commonly used birth control pill today. They contain two synthetic hormones, progestin and estrogen. Progestin-only birth control pills, also known as minipills, contain progestin but no estrogen. This class of drugs is often prescribed for patients who cannot use estrogen for health reasons, including: History of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or people over 35 years of age who smoke. The progestin-only birth control pill is a continuous-use pill, which means it only includes pills that contain the active ingredient, so there's no break. You may not have a period while taking these pills, but others may also have periods.
Drug-induced vaginal bleeding is the most common side effect of progestin-only pills. Sudden bleeding patterns are not cyclical and are also more difficult to predict than with combined oral contraceptives.
Symptoms may be more frequent if you do not take your medicine at the same time every day. Forgetting your pill after just three hours significantly increases your risk of bleeding as well as your risk of pregnancy.
2.2. Your Pill Cycle Missing a pill is a common cause of sudden vaginal bleeding. It's important to keep in mind when you take a pill each day that can reduce or prevent sudden bleeding episodes. If you are taking a progestin-only pill, it is important that you take it at exactly the same time each day.
2.3. Smoking Women who use tobacco are more likely to bleed when they take a pill than women who don't smoke. Smoking also significantly increases the risk of complications while taking it, such as heart attack and stroke.
2.4. Starting a new medicine or supplement When you start using a new medicine or supplement, this can interfere with birth control and cause breakthrough bleeding.
Medicines that can cause breakthrough bleeding
Some antibiotics Some seizure medications Some antiretroviral drugs are used to treat HIV You should talk to your doctor first when starting a new medication or supplement. This is especially important if you are taking certain medications.
2.5. Vomiting or diarrhea Persistent vomiting or diarrhea may prevent your body from absorbing the ingredients in birth control pills. This can cause spotting or make the medication ineffective.
These symptoms are more likely to develop in people with digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

3. Sudden bleeding after taking the emergency contraceptive pill could be a sign of a pre-existing medical condition

Birth control pills can cause rare side effects like blood clots and stroke. Get emergency medical care if you have:
Heavy and prolonged bleeding Sudden severe abdominal pain Severe or sudden headache Pain in your chest, groin or legs - especially your calves Pain , weakness or numbness in your arms or legs Sudden shortness of breath Sudden slurred speech The best way to stop bleeding while taking medicine is to take it at the same time every day. For most people, bleeding stops suddenly after three months of taking the medication as directed.
If you continue to have unusual bleeding, talk to your doctor about other ways to stop spotting on the pill. Your doctor may prescribe low-dose pills or additional estrogen.
Bleeding after taking the emergency contraceptive pill is a common condition that can occur during the first few months of using the pill. See your doctor if vaginal bleeding continues and is accompanied by other symptoms or you think you may be pregnant.

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Reference source: healthline.com