Thread: Spotting - do you need a back up method?

I was told this by someone but not by a doctor so I thought I'd ask the forum.

If you are spotting on birth control should you use a back up method? Spotting is pretty common and I read this on my particular pills site but I did not read anything about using a back up method.

So, here's the deal, as I see it, cynical as it may be. OB/GYNs (and to some extent the pharmaceutical companies), in general, benefit whether you're pregnant or not. It's business for them. Their automatic response is going to be "spotting is common" and to only recommend backup methods if you miss pills (and during your first month on the pill, if they bother to give this advice). For me, when I was on oral contraceptives, if I ever was worried my oral contraceptive isn't working--ie I'm on an antibiotic, I missed a pill, I've had diarrhea or vomiting, etc.--I use backup birth control.

That said, it's totally possible to be spotting and your oral contraceptives to be working just fine. Like it sounds like you've read, spotting is common, especially in the first month or two of use. It's totally a judgement call. And it never hurts to get the input of your health care provider, as long as you are a part of the decision-making process and think critically about the advice you're given.