havent had a period in a year

[Ronni08]

I was on birth control for a year an stop taken it and i havent had a period for a year is this normal?

[Dragon1973]

Hi there,
There are a number of reasons why you may not be having a period.  The most common reason may just be that your body is taking its time re-adjusting to getting hormones back to working properly.  Some women take a while getting back on track.  Myself personally, I was on the BCP for over 17 years, and then had no period for 2 years.  I thought it was for that reason I wasn't having a cycle.  I wanted to find out the reason why, and so I saw an endocrinologist.  I had blood tests done specifically for Thyroid and Prolactin.  Note: both hormones affect your menstrual cycle.  It turned out that my thyroid was high (and so I was hypo-thyroid) and my prolactin was really elevated.  This is a major cause for someone not to ovulate and suffer amenorrhoea.  (no periods).  After those results, the doctor sent me for an MRI to see what was causing the elevation of Prolactin.  It was discovered that I had a growth (adenoma) on my pituitary gland which was over secreting prolactin.  Your pituitary gland is responsible for regulating a number of hormones in your body, and often if it has a growth or an abnormality, can wreak havoc on your body in different ways.  The doctor gave me a simple medication that put my adenoma in check, and as soon as I took it, my menstrual cycle returned.  (I was even able to conceive my first baby within 8 weeks of taking the medication.)  I am now pregnant with my second baby.
It is never normal not to have your menstrual cycle unless you are peri-menopausal, or fully menopausal.  If you are young, you should definitely look into having some tests run, just in case you have something more serious going on.  If I hadn't wanted to get pregnant, I would have been too happy not having any periods to have requested the doctors find out why I wasn't having my periods.  In the end, it could have become very serious, as the tumour could have continued to grow, and become malignant or even fatal.  It's a far stretch that you are suffering from anything serious, but I erred on the side of caution because it was my health.
Get some blood work done.  The earlier you find out what is causing your amenorrhoea, the faster it will put your mind at ease.

In addition to anything I have mentioned, please keep in mind, that while I or others may have extensive knowledge in many areas, you should always seek professional medical advice from your own physician, as it pertains to medical conditions or concerns.

Good luck, and if you have any other questions that I can help you with, please feel free to message me directly.

Sincerely,
Sandi (Dragon1973)
MedHelp Down syndrome Community Leader
& Ds Group Forum Founder/Moderator

[Raerae336]

I don't think its necessarily normal, that has never happened to me or any of my Girlfriends. Were you getting periods while on birth control? I would make an app with your OBGYN.