Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Spotting on Seasonale

24 August, 2006

Question:

I recently started a new birth control, Seasonale (3 months of active pills, only 4 period a year). During week 4 of pills I began having spotting, and still am a week later. It's definitely not like a normal period for me though – I dont need tampons, etc. am I niddah?

I had a normal period prior to starting this birth control that lasted a typical 6 days. Prior to that i was nursing. My ob recommended I only take 6 weeks of 'active' pills to start to avoid spotting, coincidentally.


Answer:

Whether or not this staining renders you niddah depends on several factors.  On what surfaces have you seen the stain?  Have you seen it on toilet paper?  Immediately after urinating?  On your body? What color are the stains?  What size?  (See our article on stains for more details.)

Whether or not you are in niddah depends on all these factors.  Please write back with as many details as you have.  Alternatively, call our hotline to discuss your situation and receive a prompt response. 

Please realize that 10-30% of women have spotting during the first month of hormonal contraceptive use. Should this in fact render you niddah and not clear up by next cycle, consider discussing with your physician the use of another formulation. The active pills of any combination contraceptive can be extended for longer than the traditional 3 weeks to allow one to become niddah less often. In that case, it often helps to build up slowly (3 weeks the first cycle, 4 weeks the second etc).


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