No period during inactive pills, what does this mean?

**YoungandinLove** · 09-10-2010 08:44 AM

I am taking Loestrin 24 Fe and not tomorrow, but the next day I will be starting the inactive pills. I've been having brownish discharge (of which I thought was some form of spotting) so I guess my period should be coming. If it does come though, it will only have been 23 days from my last period, and my period NEVER comes until at least 29 days between periods has happened. This is why I think I won't get my period, but then what does it mean to not get a period when you are on inactive pills? Is it normal to have your period not during inactive, but during active pills?

**ItsASecret** · 09-10-2010 09:24 AM

First off the brown discharge is old blood and old uterine lining that has been shed either a long time ago or maybe a day ago type thing...it just means it has been shed. Next, if this is your first month taking birth control pills then your body will be in adjustment mode with your period so it is very possible to have your period while still taking the active pills, this is called spotting. However since you are so close to taking the inactive pills your body will already be getting ready to have your period. When you are on the pill you are likely not going to get to predict the absolute date of your next period, you will most likely know the week because it comes on the inactive pills but when in those 7 inactive pills you do not know. It can vary quite greatly. Could be at the last active pill, or it could be 3 inactive pills in.

When you do not get your period on your inactive pills it can mean a couple things. One of course is pregnancy, BUT starting your period 2 inactive pills lets say into your cycle DOES NOT mean you are pregnant. It can still come on the 3rd pill. And so on. The time you need to worry a bit more is if it has been about 6 ish weeks since your last period. So a month and a half (meaning you had a regular period the month before). The other reason you may not get your period right on the exact date you start your first inactive pill is your body simply has not prepped itself to the hormonal level it needs to be in order to start your period. Every single month a woman's period will differ in the actual hormonal level, which is why you see some months it is heavy or lighter, maybe shorter or longer and so on. The same variation applies to when it could start. So really not starting exactly 29 days in will not be a problem because it will start to work itself out once your body is used to taking the daily routine of birth control.

**YoungandinLove** · 09-10-2010 09:43 AM

So it is perfectly normal to get my period, say, a week from now? Loestrin only has 4 inactive pills, so I'd be approximately 3-4 active pills into my next pack when I get my period and that is normal? If I do not get my period at any point during the inactive pills should I buy a pregnancy test?

**ItsASecret** · 09-10-2010 10:15 AM

You will get your period during the inactive pills. That is how they are designed to work. The exact 29 days will likely not apply anymore, it will be whenever the inactive pills are in the body, or very close to. If you do take the inactive pills, not get your period, start the active pills and do get your period then it is likely your body getting used to the birth control itself which will normalize later on. And if you want to spend the money for a pregnancy test you can but if you had a normal period the month before it could be too soon to tell if you are pregnant or not.