Late Period...getting kind of worried.

Dahlia826 · January 2012

Okay, I wanted your advice since many of you are either pregnant or have had children so you'll know more about this than me.

Last month I decided to try going off my birth control pills for the first time in many years because I wanted to see how my migraines did off the pill, as well as to see how it affected my mood, libido, etc. So I started my last BCP period on 12/26/11 and I never started a new pill pack. I've always been super regular on the pill, starting about 24-25 days after the 1st day of my cycle. So I assumed it would be around that time or maybe 28 days. Well, I've counted of course and today is day 33 of this cycle and I'm just starting to get a little worried. The weird thing is that my husband and I only had sex once and it was with a condom (we were too scared of getting pregnant to do it more often than that) and I was planning on going back on the pill this next month (we're both tired of the abstinence!) So unless something crazy happened, I can't believe that it might be pregnancy! A few odd things/symptoms - for the last 2 weeks at least I've been having a lot of problems with constipation (sorry TMI) which is really unusual for me & the last few days I've felt some crampiness and my breasts are sore but nothing happens. I keep thinking I'm going to go to the bathroom and see that my period has started, but so far nothing!

So, my question is, do you think I should be worried and at what point, if no period happens, should I consider taking a test? Or have any of you had the same experience going off the pill that it takes longer sometimes to start? I'm just kind of freaking myself out here and I need some reassurance. I also don't want to take a test if there's no reason to be worried. Thanks in advance for your advice!

AustinBride06 · January 2012

Periods can be wonky after coming off hormonal birth control and your cycles were of course regular on the pill because the pill was regulating them. Your actual cycles may be longer and may not be that regular.

Take a test. If you get to 60 days without a period and no positive pregnancy test, call your doctor.

blueskyeshining · January 2012

I had weirdo periods after I stopped taking the pill too. I had a regular period the first month, then just spotting off and on for a couple of months. I would get the same PMS symptoms, but then nothing. I ended up having to take a hormone replacement for a month to get back on track. Take a test if it will make you feel better. If you don't have a period again next month (and aren't pg), call your dr.

AustinBride06 · January 2012

PS. You may find it helpful to chart your cycles, particularly if you aren't interested in getting pregnant (and especially if you are). Click on the ticker in my siggy or go to fertilityfriend.com and join. They have a charting course that's pretty easy to follow. You'll learn a lot about your body and it'll help you figure out if you actually ovulated, what symptoms are normal for you during certain parts of your cycle, etc.

mrs.wildman · January 2012

My period was also weird when I got off the pill. It took 3-4 months for it to get back on track (I used an iphone ap to keep track). That said, I believe when in doubt, take a test.

el_twirpo · January 2012

what were your periods like before going on the pill? i've read that they tend to go back to the same pattern as before the pill once you're off.

Dahlia826 · January 2012

el_twirpo:
what were your periods like before going on the pill? i've read that they tend to go back to the same pattern as before the pill once you're off.

Well I've been on the for a really long time - starting in high school for period problems and then onward from there for birth control as well. So it's been a long time since I've had a break, but I remember the last time I went off for several months it going back to a normal cycle right away. Of course, I've also read/heard that the first month or two coming off the pill you can be really fertile because your ovaries are like supercharged from suddenly working again and sometimes you ovulate several times. Who knows if that's actually scientifically proven or not.

I randomly googled early pregnancy symptoms and of course so much of what comes up can be attributed to vague common things that pretty much anyone could have for some reason or another. So I think I'll wait a little while longer before taking a test and see. Thanks for the support and advice

Tiffany5412 · January 2012

My period was all over the place when I came off of BCP. I'd go ahead and take a test to be sure.

MrsNole · January 2012

AustinBride06:

Periods can be wonky after coming off hormonal birth control and your cycles were of course regular on the pill because the pill was regulating them. Your actual cycles may be longer and may not be that regular.

Take a test. If you get to 60 days without a period and no positive pregnancy test, call your doctor.

Yep, yep and yep.

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it but I recommend reading "Taking Charge of Your Fertility".

angelaggie · January 2012

I was on the pill for 10+ years before going off. On the pill I always had 25 day cycles. Off I have very regular 30 day cycles. I went right to regular when I got off but I know lots of people that it takes several months to regulate.

As far as cramping and breast pain I would always get it around when I was ovulating and then it would stop a few days before my period. From what I know it's just natural fluctuations in progesterone during your cycle. When I got pg the breast pain never went away.

shanwalk2 · January 2012

It took a solid year for my periods to regulate to a 28-36 day range (before that they were unpredictable 40, 45, 32, 38 day cycles, etc). Then, another 8 months before they started being exactly 29 day cycles.

Long story short, I wouldn't worry yet... it just might take some time to regulate. I would POAS just to ease my mind, then read TCOYF.

JMack827 · February 2012

No harm in taking a test, I know that the general ones you find at the store are kind of pricey, but if there's a dollar general or similar store in the area, they have pg tests for $1, also you can buy in bulk on amazon for pretty cheap.

MrsAJL · February 2012

I never had any period irregularity when I got off the pill. Everything was back to normal like clock-work, but I think I might be the exception.

When in doubt, pee on a stick.

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