Eden Prairie, MN
A 21-year-old female asked:
What are some side effects from switching birth control brands? do you have to get your period before starting the new brand?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Melanie Jonesanswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Switch uninterrupted: If you will be using the same method (oral contraceptives), you can switch brands without interrupting pill schedule. However, if you will be transitioning from pills to iud, patch, etc you will need to use back-up method and discuss timing issues with your gynecologist (each has different protocols..).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
47 years experience
Changes in flow: Changes in flow can result from changing from one bcp to another; other examples might be either an increase or decrease in:quantity, length in days, facial acne, & cramping .
It is not necessary to wait for a new period to change from one pill to another although the symptoms or changes may occur more readily.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 19-year-old female asked:
Had unprotected sex on my placebo week. next placebo i got my period like normal but i now have sore breasts, tired & stuffed nose. could i be pregnant? also i switched brands of birth control so is it just side effects? i take bc everyday exact time?
Dr. Robert Trageranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
Could be side effects from new brand. Consult your OBGYN or PCP and if indicated a HCG will be done. Unprotected sex can still cause pregnancy, even a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Dec 28, 2022
A 19-year-old female asked:
I just started a new brand and pack of birth control pills while I am on my period. Does the period last longer since this has happened?
Dr. John Berrymananswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 56 years experience
New bcp's: Most oral bcp's are now "low dose" types, so the week on placebo's is relatively light. The important part to remember is to start the "new" bcp pack... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
412 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
On my second pack of birth control (new brand) and instead of getting my period i just got brown discharge for a couple of days what does this mean?
A Verified Doctoranswered
Family Medicine 49 years experience
It is old blood: mixed with vaginal and cervical secretions. Please keep a menstrual diary noting start (S), end (E) light ( L) heavy (H) and color ( describe) this wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
I am a Sunday birth control starter. I missed the first Friday (12/25) and started spotting the next day (12/26). The "spotting" now looks like more of a real period. I am leaving for Hawaii tomorrow (12/31). Will starting a brand new pack right now make
Dr. Christine Homanswered
Pediatrics 32 years experience
Oral contraceptives: Usually three weeks of active pills and a week of dummy (no hormone) pills. If you missed enough time without continuous active pills, it makes no di... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
I read online that a period while on birth control is not a real menstruation. So does that mean that I could be pregnant even if I get my period? I am using the birth control Mirvala brand. Can I rely on my period to indicate that Im not pregnant?
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
The facts: The pill just prevents your body from releasing eggs while you take it. Menses is menses. The buildup of tissue in the womb is triggered by your natu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
25 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 10, 2015
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