Re: RE: Missed period

Posted By Anna on April 02, 1999 at 05:52:51:

In Reply to: Re: RE: Missed period posted by hfhs.md.rcs on March 21, 1999 at 17:58:16:






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!




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.




Since I missed my period & still have not started, I went to see the OB/GYN.  Another symptom that I started to experience was slight nipple discharge and soreness.  I start Provera on Monday for 10 days to try to get my period to start, but I had a Thyroid w/TSH & Prolactin drawn.  The Prolactin was elevated.  I will be continuing the Provera for those 10 days, off 10 days (and hopefully I'll have some spotting or and actual cycle).  I start on a lower dose of OCP's at that time (Loestrin) and take another Prolactin test at 4 weeks to see if my level is back to normal.  If levels are still elevated, what could this mean as pregnancy has definitely been ruled out?