Expert: Mia - 11/18/2008

Question
I recently switched birth control brands, because the first gave me super bad headaches. Now i'm on the end of my second month but all through the month i have had a spotting that was heavy enough that i required every day. Is this a side effect of the pill or could it be some thing worse.

Answer
Hi Cassandra,

Yes, spotting is a common side effect of the pill, especially during the first few months. It is generally recommended that you stick with a brand of pill for 3 months to give your body time to adjust. In most cases, the spotting and other side effects will go away. If after 3 months you still have spotting, give your doctor a call. You may need to switch to another brand. While spotting can be annoying and even scary if it is heavy, it is not serious.

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

-Mia