[Yazwoman]

Not sure where to put this so hope this is ok.

I'm on the pill, I have never missed it nor in the year+ I have been taking it been having this problem (I am using a low dose estrogen/progesterone.)- Yaz.

I had sex on Feb 14. Since it was my first time I bled the first couple of days. Then I started spotting. I thought it stopped but it goes on and off and it's now been over 2 weeks! Nothing too heavy, just on the tissue, but it's freaking me out. I did notice that I've been a bit itchy though-does vaginitis cause breakthrough bleeding? I have an annual appointment next week so I can talk to someone there at Planned Parenthood but in the meantime I was wondering if anyone had any ideas?

I took a preg test Tuesday, though it might be too early, got a clear negative.

Can you suddenly get breakthrough bleeding on a pill for weeks if you have been taking it continuously (only every 4 months do I take the placebos and get a withdrawal bleed) and for over a year?

I'm nearing the end of my pack now, but the annual appointment is when I'd might be normally 'bleeding'. Should I take the placebos anyways and see if my body just needs to release?

I admit I have been pretty stressed about this whole thing , so could stress mess up bleeding even on hormonal control?

Oh yea, my muscle aches have mostly subsided but are still lingering.

Thanks for any help.

[Yazwoman]

Update:
Just for those that are interested, and a followup to my question.
I am clear for STDs and such.

I decided to just go on the placebos and see what my body did. The second day on the placebos I noticed it was spotting heavier (I didn't expect to fully bleed until 3-4 day on Yaz, which is normal). 3rd day withdrawal bleed fully came and lasted, as expected until I took the 2nd active pill. Monday I took a hpt test because that was the 'day of expected period.' and right before my active pills again. (Negative-yay!)I have completely stopped spotting and pretty much everything has gone away!

I guess I was just having a bit of breakthrough spotting because I had been taking it without placebos for so long. I guess I should keep it to every 3 months now instead of every 4 or 5. Ah well. Still only, 4 periods a year is a lot better than 12! (At least for me.)

[Faerunner]

Can you suddenly get breakthrough bleeding on a pill for weeks if you have been taking it continuously (only every 4 months do I take the placebos and get a withdrawal bleed) and for over a year?

Yes. I did, with Triphasil. I was on it for a year and a half at least, and toward the end of that period I was having breakthrough bleeding every month about halfway through the cycle. They switched me to a single-phase pill (no changes in dosage, just 3 weeks of the same thing, then off), and that stopped the bleeding.

I admit I have been pretty stressed about this whole thing , so could stress mess up bleeding even on hormonal control?

Oh yea, my muscle aches have mostly subsided but are still lingering.

Should talk to doctor about the muscle aches... according to pill inserts they can be "signs of a serious side effect" (yeah, like any side effect of the pill isn't serious when you're dealing with it on a daily basis!). Stress -can- have an effect on your hormones. I don't know how much it can do, but it may very well be a factor. I know when I'm stressed I seem to be a lot more physically uncomfortable, even when I'm not bleeding.

I'm glad you cleared it up for now, but you should still talk to your doctor, and let her know so that if it happens again she'll have a record and can better counsel you.