Expert: Mia - 11/20/2008

Question
I stopped taking my birth control about 6-8 months ago, after I stopped my periods were pretty normal, but my last 2 periods have been weird. Last month my period lasted exactly 2 weeks, not a day more, not a day less. This month I got my period on Nov. 6th and I still have it. What is going on with me? I dont have cramps or anything, just light bleeding. At the beginning of my period its heavy, but like a week after the heavy stops and I'm still bleeding, its just light. Its really annoying and I just want to know what it could be. Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

It is common for a period to be irregular for the first few months after going off the pill because your body is still adjusting. Usually this clears after the third month, but it can take longer. I think it is possible that this is what is happening to you, even though you had a few months of normal periods. Spotting/period changes often happen without any cause for concern due to a variety of other reasons such as: normal hormonal changes, stress, change in environment, change in diet, or weight gain/loss. Has anything changed for you recently?

Since you have been off the pill for over 3 months, I think it makes sense for you to give your doctor a call though, to let him/her know what is going on and to discuss.

I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.

-Mia