His and Her Health

I have been on the pill since I was 15, and have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen since about age 18 (now 26 yrs old). In the last year or so, I've been experiencing brown discharge while I'm still taking my pills. It happens very sporadically - some months not at all, other months for a day or two (usually on week 2 or 3 of pills, never week 1). Could it be time for a new, perhaps stronger, pill? I'm not on any other meds and am otherwise healthy - exercise regularly, eat well, etc - so this is especially frustrating. These pills seem to be working fine for pregnancy protection and controlling my period; it's this in-between-nonsense that's aggravating. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

I used to get break through bleeding when I would start different brands of the pill but not after being on the same one for a long time. Have you gained weight since you have been on it? Some pills loose potentcy if you are over certain weight to height ratio's. Which no one tells you unless you ask of course. You might want to call the doctor and see if you should change pills, hormones change as we get older too, you may need more of one hormone and less of another now, and that could be causing the bleeding.

I also have the same problem after being on Ortho-tri Cyclen for about 7-8 years. When I turned 30, I began the same brownish break through bleeding all the time. I have since switched birth control pills about 10 times over the last three years, and have also tried the patch and the nuva ring with no success. I am otherwise very healthy, and I am not over weight. I get usually one clear week right after my period has ended, and after that it is sporadic spotting every day till my next official period. help!<P>

My wife has been getting a brown discharge about 2 weeks before her period also for the last few months. She too has been on orthotricyclen for about the last 5 years. She is 31, healthy, not really overwieght.<P>Before she tried Pills we tried Depo shot and also the arm implant. Both made her bleed heavily the entire time she was on them. She tried the Depo for 6 months and the implants she had in for a year.<p>[This message has been edited by ezoliver (edited February 08, 2005).]