Medicines that can cause changes in menstrual bleeding
Changes in menstrual bleeding may be caused by a medicine. For example, it is not uncommon to have some midcycle spotting with low-dose estrogen birth control pills. Other medicines that can cause abnormal, lighter, heavier, less frequent or more frequent bleeding, or skipped periods include:
- Anticoagulant medicines such as ASA, Coumadin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Antipsychotics.
- Seizure medicines, such as Tegretol or Depakene.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
- Dilantin.
- Hormonal medicines, including:
- Birth control pills and Depo-Provera injections.
- Contraceptive implants, such as the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD) Mirena.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.
- Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy), such as Cytoxan or tamoxifen.
- Radiation therapy.
- Thyroid medicine, such as Synthroid or Levothroid.
- Tricyclic antidepressants.
If you are having changes in menstrual bleeding that you think may be related to medicine use:
- Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to determine whether this is an expected side effect of this medicine. An appointment may not be needed.
- If you are taking a medicine not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel you need to keep taking the medicine or if you need help to control your symptoms after you stop the medicine.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: August 29, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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