What Causes Delayed Menstruation Post Intake Of Contraceptive Pills?

Posted on Tue, 12 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 Answered on

Wed, 8 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : hi there. I'm studying abroad right now and have been traveling a lot in the past 2 months and stressing over tests and missing home. last month i spotted a little bit but didn't really get my period. I nervously took 2 pregnancy tests but they were negative. I am on birth control (the combination pill) and I always take it around the same time (no more than a 3 hour difference). It is a 28 day cycle. This is day 3 of the week I'm supposed to get my period but I haven't yet. I had sex the end of the second week in my pack and the end of the third week as that is when i was able to see my boyfriend. I know that even if I were to ovulate, that isn't when I would. So my question is, Is it normal to just not get my period because of travel and stress and exhaustion?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

If you took the pill regularly then you are safe. It takes roughly seven days of regular pills for the contraception to be affective. So by the 2nd and 3rd week you were in the safe period. If this was your first pack then the protection may vary. If you have been taking them regularly prior to this pack even then you are protected better. Menstrual irregularities can occur with travel , stress and exhaustion. To be on the safe side, you should get a pregnancy test repeated after 4 days and then a week. If both negative then you can relax. Keep taking the contraceptive at the same time even if you don't get a period.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar