Well I just started on the patch last week. This is the first time I've ever been on any sort of birth control. I got my period last Wednesday and I put the patch on right away and my period continued on like normal like I was told was to be expected. Well it's now been a week and 1 day and I still have my period. Not heavy, it's just spotting. Is this normal and how long should I expect this to go on?

Also, since I started on the patch, I've been waking up at least an hour before my alarm goes off. Not that I'm complaining about waking up and realizing I still have time to sleep, but before I used to be practically dead to the world until my alarm went off. I'd fall asleep and be asleep until my alarm went off and now I'm waking up an hour before, then I'll go to sleep and wake up a half hour before, and then sleep, and then wake up about 5-10 minutes before my alarm. I don't know if this is related to the BC or just stress. (Been really stressed lately as well)

Anyone know?

i would say that it is normal that your period is still going on, or that you are spotting. how long do your periods normally last? i started on the patch a year and a half ago and it was the first form of bc that i had ever really used, and i had no problems. i've always had short periods....but i'd say with it being your first month your body just hasn't gotten used to all the hormones yet. just continue using it the way you should and see what happens. as for the waking up early, i didn't ever have that problem, i'm always dead to the world! haha....so maybe it's just the stress, but if you keep experiencing this and it becomes a problem, just ask your doctor! :)

Ok thanks! My periods are usually about 5-6 days long, but I've been spotting/on my period for about a week and a half now. My doc did say to expect some spotting, but since I've never been on BC before I didn't know what spotting or what to expect. :p