Why bleeding between periods on the pill

Copyright by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information. This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. 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. There are many different causes of bleeding between periods. Some may not be anything to worry about, but seek medical advice if you're concerned.

Irregular bleeding , such as bleeding between periods, is common during the first few months of starting hormonal contraception , such as the:. If you're concerned about bleeding or it lasts longer than a few months, you should seek medical advice. Call a sexual health clinic if you need help or advice. This sporadic spotting between periods is caused by the introduction of estrogen present in the birth control medication.

It will usually resolve itself within a few months time. Many women first discover they have fibroids when they see their provider for spotting or extended heavy periods. These benign cysts occur in the uterus and can cause these bleeding symptoms.

Bleeding and spotting between periods can be the first sign a woman is pregnant. Bleeding can occur when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus. Some women bleed sporadically during the first three months of pregnancy, so it is not often cause for concern. Hormones affect women in countless ways. Progesterone helps stabilize the uterus, and if a woman is not producing enough progesterone during their cycle, some of the lining of the uterus can slough off creating bleeding and spotting 5 to 7 days prior to a period.

This is not a real problem for most women unless you are planning to become pregnant. An imbalance in the hormone estrogen can also cause spotting between periods. This may affect women during perimenopause and menopause. With excess thyroid hormones, women may experience very heavy periods.