[MeerKat]

So I met this guy and went on the Pill for 1 month. We did have sex while I was on the pill, but he never finished inside me. We parted ways, and I stopped taking the pill. A month later I had like 1 day of brownish, oxidized discharge but no real period. I'm not due for a couple of weeks, but is this normal to have messed up cycles after you go off? I went off once before but it was a few years back and I don't remember what happened. I'm also under a terrific amount of stress -- underemployed, trying to find a job, living at home until I so, etc... could that affect my periods? Should I get checked?

[MeerKat]

I forgot to mention I did have the period bleed full on during the placebo week on the pills, I just stopped by not taking the next pack. Does that count?

[Little]

Going off BC can confuse your body, affect your hormone levels, and indeed delay or shorten your periods. The bleed during the placebo week did count.

Stress can do the same thing - specifically it delays ovulation. The second half of your cycle, the luteal phase, is almost always going to be the same length, so the damage is done and your body has already decided how late your period will be (if the brown spotting wasn't all you're getting for the month.) Breathe deep and try to calm the stress so your next period will come at a more normal interval.

[MeerKat]

Going off BC can confuse your body, affect your hormone levels, and indeed delay or shorten your periods. The bleed during the placebo week did count.

Stress can do the same thing - specifically it delays ovulation. The second half of your cycle, the luteal phase, is almost always going to be the same length, so the damage is done and your body has already decided how late your period will be (if the brown spotting wasn't all you're getting for the month.) Breathe deep and try to calm the stress so your next period will come at a more normal interval.

Thank you ... I think it's just a knee-jerk reaction for women .. OMGISKIPPEDIMPREGNANT even if I've HAD a period since I stopped having sex and should not be ... it's scary.

Right. Meditation it is