Hello doctor, Does spotting on birth control mean your pill is not being effective?
Hi. How are you doing? Spotting in between cycles, when you are regularly taking birth control pills means that, the endometrium or the inner lining of the uterus is not being fully supported by the hormones. If you are not punctual on taking pills or had vomited immediately after taking the pill, then that will be the problem, so you have to make it a point to take the pill regularly, preferably at the same time every day. If you are taking low dose pills, then the dose is insufficient, so you have to switch to the higher dose pills. Component of Ethinyl estradiol in the pill of 30 mcg is a high dose and good for these spotting instead of the 20 mcg pills. If you have been putting up weight recently. Hormones may be insufficient for that new weight. I hope pregnancy had been ruled out before starting the pills and local factors like polyps or fibroids projecting into the uterine cavity have been ruled out by ultrasound scans of the pelvis. Local factors like spotting or discharge from the cervix, especially after sex need a local examination and treatment. If all possibilities have been ruled out, then just give support of tablet Estradiol valerate 2 mg (Progynova) two tablets a day until the day of periods. This will support the lining and spotting will stop in a day or two.