What causes multiple periods on birth control???

I recently had a baby and about 7 weeks after my doctor put me on birth control (lo-estren). I ended up having a cycle during the 2nd week of pills. I then had another period during the sugar pills. The next month I assumed I would be normal but I have started during the 2nd week again. What could be causing this? I'm wondering if it will regulate itself?

Let me first say that abnormal bleeding while on birth control pills is very common and is the number 1 reason women discontinue pills. Generally this bleeding decreases with time whether you stay on the same pill or switch to a different brand.

There is some data to suggest there is lower abnormal bleeding with Yaz or Lo-Estrin-24 (both have 24 days of estrogen in them, rather than 28)

As for why you are bleeding, there are several possible answers.

First, if you start the pills too late after your menses begin you are at risk for bleeding. This happens because you already had a follicle developing (causing estrogen to rise). The pill causes that follicle to regress (estrogen falls) and you have menses. The next menses is during the placebo (sugar pill) week.

Second, if you miss a pill, or skip a pill, this can cause bleeding due to inconsistent estrogen levels.

Third, you can have break-through-bleeding due to the progestin component of the birth control pill. Progestins cause the uterine lining to become thin and fragile.

Fourth, you could have a polyp or a fibroid leading to irregular bleeding.

More sinister diagnoses would be remote.

Most likely this will get better on its own. If not, I'd switch to one of the pills I mentioned.