Last week I started what I thought to be a normal period, but with some sticky brown discharge during the first couple days. Now, just a week later, I'm getting the same thing; three days of sticky brown discharge and now just today some actual blood. At first I thought it was just from scratches caused by my boyfriend's finger (that's even what it could have been last week - I'm just not sure (I often have irregular periods)) but now I'm not so sure. I think it may be hormone imbalance. I need to know if it is my actual period, though, or just excess blood and whatnot, because I'm starting birth control for the first time and I need to start taking the pills the Sunday after my period. Please help!

