Menstrual musings
Question
I've been on the pill for over two years, but recently stopped taking it because both my weight and blood pressure went up. The thing is, my periods haven't come back yet, is this normal? How long should it take for them to get back to normal?
Answer
There isn't a set timescale for periods to return after you've stopped taking the pill but they should usually return to normal fairly quickly (within a month or so). This does partly depend on how regular your natural cycle is. For example, if your periods were irregular before you went on the pill, you may find that it takes longer for your cycle to re-establish.
You don't say whether you are now using another method of contraception or whether you may have been at risk of pregnancy since coming off the pill. If you think you have been at risk of pregnancy within the last five days, and you do not want to get pregnant, you should seek advice on emergency contraception as soon as possible.
If you think you have been at risk of pregnancy and your period has not come, you should take a pregnancy test. It is best to take the test three weeks after having unprotected sex (as this is roughly how long it will take for the hormone levels to show up on the test).
If you're under 25 you can get a free test at a Brook Centre with immediate results. No matter how old you are you can also get a free test at a family planning clinic and some local doctors (GPs). Or you can pay for a pregnancy test at the chemist. They can do a test or sell a home pregnancy testing kit.
In any case, if you think you may have been at risk of pregnancy, it's important to seek help quickly.
Updated: 17/01/2008
Question answered by YouthNet in association with Brook
