Hello-- this is my first post. I found this forum by searching the internet for info on why I am having breakthough bleeding after 5+ years of regular cycles on orthocyclen.

I am wondering if anyone can tell me if the pills are still effective at birth control if I am having breakthrough bleeding?

I am in week two of induction and have lost 5+pounds on a LC/veggie version of Atkins. I still have 2 more weeks to go before I am due for my period.

It looks like there is alot of examples of period disruption, so I can sleep tonight. But my husband and I do not want to be pregnant and need to know if we have to have extra protection.

TIA!

My rather unscientific reasoning is: If you are at all worried about the reliability of your birth control, use a back up menthod. Better to be safe than pregnant!!

That said, I think it should still be effective as an ovulation suppressant..

I am on Depo and had breakthrough/extra period about 3 weeks after starting low carb...luckily no pregnancy for me...

Though I do think if you are worried you may protect but the breakthrogh bleeding shouldn't indicte ovulation at all.

I would recommend calling your doctors office - to ask a nurse or have them ask the doctor about the bt beeding. In the meantime, use a backup for peace of mind. I was on the same pill you are for many years, eventually ended up with this happening and they switched my brand. I was not lcarbing at the time. In my situation, the dr. said I was still fully protected - and she was right no problems in that area!

I take pills for 3 months in a row without stopping in order to lessen the occurance of migraines and have had some breakthrough bleeding at times but since I started low carbing, it doesn't seem to stop. I have a doctor's appointment next week to ask her about it.

I talked to my doctor and he said: yes, breakthough bleeding is very common on Atkins and that as long as I am taking my pills correctly, they should work just fine, despite the bleeding.
I am taking the generic version of Orthocyclen.

So-- good news for me. And I guess I should say to anyone reading this: be safe! ask your own doctor just to be sure if you have similar symptoms since bodies, histories and pills are all different.

I am also on depo. When I started low carbing I had a small period, but that could of been becasue it was also when I started my first shot.

The good news is I talked to my doctor and he said the only way Depo makes people gain weight is that it causes strong carb cravings. Being on Atkins I'm already a step ahead of those

Here is a big thread all about the topic.

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...&threadid=15285


Beth

I saw my doctor today. She said any big change in your diet can cause spotting. She did say, though, that you can get pregnant when this happens. She said to use alternate forms of birth control.