Heavy Spotting week before period - and now i'm late!

[MichBur]

My last period started on Oct 7th - I am on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo... and have been for YEARS.  I had sex on Oct 18th, and had a dark brown discharge from Oct 27 - Nov 3rd (week before my scheduled period).  I assumed old blood.  I was supposed to start my normal period on Nov 4th - but it's now the 7th and no period.  I have been very stressed regarding the constant spotting last week and took a home pregnancy test yesterday and it came back negative. I'm very rarely late - and usually don't spot - never have like this.  
Could I be pregnant?????

[WillieWife]

A related discussion, bleeding before predicated period was started.

[nikkigreco16]

Hi me and my husband are trying for a baby my last period was nov 11 and today nov 30 i went to the bathroom and i wiped and there was a bit of brown stuff what does that mean

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Its pretty UNLIKELY that you are pregnant.  Often after women have been on a low dose pill for a long time their periods dwindle down to almost nothing, or stop altogether because the lining of the uterus gets so thin. Once the lining is so thin the bleeding can become irregular too--its almost as if the lining is "raw" in the same sense as a raw area of  your skin can bleed easily.

I am going to bet that the spotting you experienced 10/27--11/3 WAS your period.

One thing I forgot to mention too, is that if you missed any pills,(even just one) that could easily explain the irregular bleeding.

It may be a little unpredictable what will happen from here.  Your periods could stop altogether.  They could continue to be irregular, or they can go back to normal.  If you are very consistent about taking your pills, and if the irregularity doesn't bother you, there is no need to do anything about it.  

If it is going to make you constantly worried about pregnancy--your doctor could change your pill for a couple of months to get you back on track.