Spotting 4-5 days before period?

[zombiefood]

So I'm on birth control and just recently have been put on antibiotics for a bad infection. I've had an IV of antibiotics and am now on two, different, very strong pills for it. It's about four or five days before my period is supposed to start and I'm getting some light spotting of "dead" (a brownish color) blood. Is this normal? I know that antibiotics have some effect on birth control but this is kind of freaking me out. Can some one help me out?

[cun7n1nja]

That sounds totally normal to me. I had my appendix taken out a couple months ago, and the same thing happened to me. They told me before they sent me home from the hospital, knowing the medications I take, that the antibiotics they'd given me would essentially 'cancel out' my birth control for the month. Making it less effective in preventing pregnancy, and also, I assume, in regulating your period.

When you're on a 28-day cycle pill, your body thinks it's pregnant and doesn't ovulate, and you get a forced period when you stop taking the active pills for a week. I think that the antibiotics make the pill LESS effective, but not necessarily completely ineffective, and continuing to take them during that time causes the spotting. Just my theory, haha. I suppose I'll look it up some day.

[sparkplug]

Some antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. I don't really remember the exact reason, I think it has to do with the breakdown of estrogen and the liver. But if you have been on antibiotics and having sex your chances of getting pregnant are very much increased. And spotting with early pregnancy is very common. So the best thing you can do is call your gyno. and make an appt. asap. Goodluck girly!

[zombiefood]

I haven't had sex since I've started the antibiotics. I've been on antibiotics a lot I know the rules. It's just that I've never been on something as strong as I'm on now so I'm trying to figure out if the "spotting" is normal. Especially so close to my period.

[sparkplug]

Ohh okay then.. well with the decreased effectiveness you might just be spotting because the estrogen levels are off. But you should still call your gyno. anyway. It will give you answers and piece of mind. :)

[Belleza]

um I advise to speak with your gynecologist or any type of physician in that department and 2 as far as I know I don't think your supposed to take 2 pills at 1 time!

[zombiefood]

I"m on two different antibiotics right now. NOt two different birth controls. Or taking two pills at once. I'm not an idiot, I know how to work birth control.

[Belleza]

Ok whatever...