How is intermenstrual bleeding on the contraceptive pill best treated?
The best treatment in the first 3 cycles of pill use is just reassurance that the bleeding problems are very likely to decrease and disappear with continued use. If the bleeding is distressing or continues after 3 months, the best treatment is to take estrogen for 7-10 days during the first part of the cycle to build up the endometrium and make it more resistant to sloughing. Unfortunately most physicians do not try this treatment first but rather switch the brand of pills in hopes that that will decrease bleeding. There actually are no scientific studies that test different strategies to arrest breakthrough bleeding on the birth control pills so we do not really know the best treatment for this. Do some brands of birth control pills make acne worse? At the current time there is only one brand of birth control pill that has FDA approval to be used to prevent acne (Ortho Tricyclen®). Truthfully all estrogen containing oral contraceptives decrease sebum production which in turn usually d
