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

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Irritation from spermicide, spotting from pill

31 October, 2015
Question:

I have a large family and planned to use birth control for various reasons (with permission from a rav) for a short term (like 6 months). I am currently nursing although hoping to stop soon. I tried the spermicides and found it very irritating. I tried two different types and both caused burning and other side effects. I used birth control once in the past and I used the mini pill while nursing which was great until I got my first period and then caused a long period plus spotting so I switched to the regular pill which was awful and caused lots of spotting and short cycles and I gave up after 3 months.

My doctor recommended giving the mini pill a second shot but I am scared. The constant stress of not looking and fear of spotting will make me crazy. are there any good options for women who go to mikvah that don't cause spotting or other questions?


Answer:

Based on what you write, we suggest that you explore using a different combined estrogen-progestin contraceptive pill. While you had some difficulty the last time around, there are many different formulations. It will not entail the irritation you've experienced with spermicide, is appropriate for short term use, should not interfere with well-established nursing, and is not associated with as much initial staining as the mini-pill. Please do note however that there can be some breakthrough bleeding over the first few months of use.

Please write back with any further questions.

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