How long does breakthrough bleeding usually last?
With levonorgestrel-ethinyl estradiol (Seasonale), spotting or bleeding between periods (breakthrough bleeding) can last up to a year. Breakthrough bleeding can occur with any birth control pill, especially during the first few months of use. However, breakthrough bleeding is more likely to occur with extended-cycle birth control pills — such as Seasonale — than with standard 28-day birth control pills. What causes breakthrough bleeding with an oral contraceptive isn’t always clear. It may simply take time for your body to adjust to the hormones in the medication or for your uterus to transition to a thinner lining (endometrium). In addition, you’re more likely to experience breakthrough bleeding if you: • Miss a pill • Start a new medication — such as certain antibiotics — that may interfere with the contraceptive • Become ill with vomiting or diarrhea, which may impair absorption of the medication Unpredictable bleeding with an oral contraceptive usually decreases with time. In the m
