Update(Sunday July 15th)::

Last night around 6ish, I started spotting a light brown discharge for a few hours, so I used a light tampon. It stopped and seemed like regular discharge for a while this morning. So about 20mins or so ago, I use the restroom and notice the brown discharge is slightly coming back, then I wipe again and its brown and light pink, then its gone again-I think..whats going on now? I'm on Day 15 of my pills and I still didn't get my period but the next one is due July 22nd.







I started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo on February 25th due to being irregular. I never missed a pill until April 29th & 30th due to a school trip. I took the extra doses and it seemed like things started to go weird. I got a 2-day period for May and June and ended up with a ovarian cyst, Trichomonas and a bladder infection. I was to get my period on June 3rd but didn't get it until 4 days later on June 7th and 8th. After my 2 day cycle in June, I took a break from the pills that Sunday I was suppose to have started a new pack. I did have sexual interactions about 3-4 days after that Sunday I didn't start my new pack but it never went even as far as ejaculation more of 'play'. Then once was full sex (with a condom) and then 'playing around' again. But then I got trichomonas and due to pain down there, sex was impossible to accomplish about the 3rd week of being off. I went to my doctor on June 27th and thats when I found out I had an Ovarian Cyst on my left ovary, Trichomonas, and a bladder infection. I also had a urine test, blood test, and ultrasound(I had to drink 32oz of water) done that day and all were fine(except for the finding of the cyst in the ultrasound). My doctor left the cyst in with hopes that restarting the birth control pills would make it smaller and prevent future ones. The cyst is still here though. I did restart my pills on July 1st(Sunday start) the day I was to expect my period, its been 2wks and I've gotten nothing, although mild cramps here and there and occasional bloat maybe for a few hrs. That night of the 27th, after my appointment I did some small bright red spotting on tissue when I wiped after taking my antibotics for the Trichomonas and bladder infection, but thats all there was.

My main question is: -How long does it take the pill to stop working when you've been on it for about 6 months and stop for merely 3-4wks? How long does it take it to restart working after those 3-4wks?

-Could the cyst be stopping my period and caused the 2 day ones from May and June or could it be the medication I had to take for getting Trichomonas and the bladder infection?

-I doubt I could be pregnant since I've had 2 blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasound show nothing on at my appt. June 27th..2-3 weeks after those 'sexual episodes'...but is that possible?


Thanks for your time ladies!!

Hi :-)

The pill will become ineffective once you miss 3 pills. 2 pills is pushing it. 3 it tells you to throw out the pack and start over with a fresh pack. You should always ues protection for the rest of the month when you miss 2 or more pills in a row.

Depending when you restarted will depend when its effective. If you start it the first day of your period you should be protected immediatly. If you start the first sunday after your period starts, you have to wait 30 days.

Either way its recommended to wait 1 full month for the pill to be effective.


Cysts can effect periods. They can become scant and irregular. Different medicines can mess with the body. Keep in mind certain antibiotics make the pill INEFFECTIVE.

You dont sound pregnant, your body just sounds messed up from all the meds and on again off again from the BCP.

Good Luck!

I would say that it's probably from the cyst and from the infections, ect. That was probably enough to throw your cycle off. As long as you've tested and used protection during sex, your find. I understand why your frustrated though.

Angie

Update

You have to give time for your body to get used to the pill. The pill can cause constant spotting.