HBC and spotting/odd discharge

[meghan-lj.livejournal.com]

I am on my 2nd month of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I was on it a couple of years ago and had no side effects concerning spotting or discharge. This time around, I've been experiencing spotting for my first time while on any type of birth control.

The spotting started during the 1st month on OTC at the beginning of the 3rd week of pills. It continued like a mini-period for the whole week until I actually got my period, which lasted 7 days, which is long for me on or off BC. So I basically had my period for 2 weeks.

This month, I've just started my 2nd week and I'm experiencing...well, I guess it's spotting, but it looks/feels more like discharge. Just a few moments ago I felt it come out, so I went to the bathroom and wiped and I'd never had discharge/spotting like it. Honestly, and I know it sounds gross, but it looks like oatmeal. It doesn't feel like discharge...but doesn't totally look like blood. (I know old blood is brown, but something about this is just...off.)It is the texture and has the look of oatmeal, but not nearly as thick. It's really, really strange.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

These are total guesses, but based on your description, could it be:

-- thicker discharge mixed with spotting blood?

-- a yeast infection mixed with spotting blood? (VP's "All About Yeast Infections" (http://community.livejournal.com/vaginapagina/5865641.html#anchor3) post has links to some photos of vaginal yeast infections.)

[meghan-lj.livejournal.com]

I don't have any symptoms of a YI. It was more the texture that threw me. I mean it has that grainy look, literally like oatmeal looks. I'm sure it is just thicker discharge, but thanks for that link, I'll check it out!

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking that sometimes, when I have a YI, my discharge looks grainy, a lot like wheat germ or Cream of Wheat, so I figured that oatmeal wasn't too far off for a guess.

But yeah, thicker healthy discharge could also be it, especially if you don't have any symptoms of a YI. It might be something to keep half an eye on, but I wouldn't stress about it for now.

[lostandhaunted.livejournal.com]

I didn't like OTC lo.. I spotted for a week before my period then had a period for 7 days.. just like you.

As far as the oatmeal like discharge, I have no idea. What color is it?

[meghan-lj.livejournal.com]

A light brown. It does have that old blood look, it's just the oddest texture.

[lostandhaunted.livejournal.com]

I'd say just wait it out to see if you have a normal period. If you don't have a normal period, call your doctor. It could just be weird discharge from messed up hormones.