[randomoutburst]

Hello all,

I've missed two periods in a row and am somewhat concerned. I'm 21, married, and very conscientious about taking my pill on time. I would be more concerned if the HPTs had turned up positive, but all have been negative.

I've been using Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about two years with regular bleeding during placebo week. I start my packs on Thursdays, so on my placebo week I normally first see blood on Saturday, three days after placebo week starts. My periods tend to be short, lasting maybe two or three days with moderate flow.

In October, my period didn't start until Monday and, while fresh blood was present, much of the discharge had a brown tint to it. It looked much like it would towards the end of menstruation when things are tapering off. I thought it was odd, but since I still had about the same amount and duration of discharge I didn't think much about it. I had not missed a pill that month (I set my phone to remind me daily) and always take the pill within an hour of the scheduled time.

In November, I didn't get a period at all. I took two pregnancy tests (one on the week of my period and one the following week) but both were negative. I did have just a tiny bit of spotting on one day, but it was just that - a tiny bit of spotting. Again, I had not missed a pill or taken one late, so I was worried but felt that I hadn't done anything to cause a lapse in coverage.

This month, December, I should have gotten my period but have not. I did have cramping on Sunday, and it felt about right for my regular menstrual cramps...but I have not produced blood or menses, and since this is month 2 without a period I think something is wrong. I took another pregnancy test this morning and it is still negative.

I am aware that an ectopic pregnancy is possible, but since this is 8 weeks from my last period, all information says I would be in pain at this point. Are there other possible reasons for two missed periods while taking the pill as directed? My stress level has not increased in the past few months - in fact, it has decreased due to the end of a school semester and an improvement in my work environment.

My husband and I don't quite know what to do about this, and I will probably visit a doctor this week to get checked out, but I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions or possible causes for my missed periods.

Thanks!

[LanaBear]

You know... When I was on the pill, the longer I was on it, the later and lighter my periods got. Eventually, the last few months I was on it, I'd spot for a few hours AFTER I started my new pack, nothing during the placebo week, then I'd take my first pill on Sunday, spot a few hours then, that would be it. I'd still get all the cramping, sore boobs, etc., but all I'd get for suffering through all that was a few spots.

Of course, it never hurts to get into the Dr and have things checked out, but don't let it stress you out too much.

[randomoutburst]

I thought about that, but my periods have not gotten lighter over 2 years. This seems very sudden for it all to stop without any sort of lightening over time.

[LanaBear]

It took a while for it to start happening to me... It probably wasn't until maybe 3 years or so, I'd go through a few months like that (4-6) then they'd be normal for a few years, then I went a year with light to non existent periods, then I was fine for a few more years, etc etc.

Make an appt with your Dr and let us know how it goes.

[Ashlee T.]

How your body reacted to a certain pill a few years ago is no real indicator of how it will react now. Our bodies change, hormones change, etc. I've never taken the pill you're on so can't speak from experience on that one. However, on certain pills I'd be on I'd have no period at all (which IMO sucked, because I felt like I had to take a pregnancy test every time I missed a period), or just a light 2 or 3 day spotting period. If this is your only side effect from BC, it's probably just time to talk with your doctor about switching pills.

[randomoutburst]

As luck would have it, my period came last night. Interesting.

I'll still talk to my doctor, but it makes me feel better at least.

[LanaBear]

LOL - it always seems to work out that way, doesn't it?

That's good though.