RE: Missed period

  I've been on birth control, namely Lo-Ovral, for approx. 5 years.  My cycles have always been 28 days (even when not on the pill the 5 years prior).  I am now two weeks late (no spotting, etc.).  I took several home pregnancy tests and got a serum pregnancy at one week late - all negative.  When I was due to have my period, I was slightly crampy and since then, I have felt slightly tender.  I have not changed my diet, physical activity or feel that I am stressed.  My doctor did not seemed to be concerned and stated that I continue on the pill.  I did not feel safe starting a new pack fearing that if I were pregnant, that I could possibly endanger the pregnancy.  I took another urine pregnancy test this morning... still negative.  I will be going to a lab this coming week for another serum pregnancy.  What are the chances of being pregnant considering the history of my timely periods?  Is it common to miss a period while on the pill?  I am 23 years old and never been pregnant.
  Thank you!

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Dear Anna:
Failure to bleed is a common effect of the birth control pill and is more frequent the longer one uses the formulation. When this happens, patients are asked to take a pregnancy test: if the serum test is normal at the end of the "placebo pill week", the next pill package is started.
There are old data that raised concerns about oral contraception use and harm to early fetal development: these data are being questioned. If there is harm, it is uncommon.
Keywords: missed period on birth control pill
This information is provided for education purposes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please speak with your physician.