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What Causes Delay In Periods?
I have been on the combined pill for around 3 years. I have recently been travelling and in my last week away.. i ran out of the pill. I came home and picked up the pill and was advised to wait till my perios came before beginning my next course. I am having protected sex.. however my period is 4 days late to what it would have been if i was still on the pill. should i be concerned? thanks
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 19 Jan 2016
Answered on
Tue, 19 Jan 2016
Last reviewed on
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
Having your period come late or skip is not unusual when you stop birth control pills. But there is no reason you need to wait until you start your period to start a new pack. The only issue would be if ovulation for that month was already triggered, so I generally advise patients to start the new pack whenever they want but just use a backup method for about the first two weeks.
So In your case I would wait a little while longer for your period, and if it is late more than a week and you're not pregnant, just start the pills and just expect your period may come at the wrong time in the first pack.
I hope I was able it adequately answer your question today and that my advice was helpful.
Best wishes, Dr. Brown
Having your period come late or skip is not unusual when you stop birth control pills. But there is no reason you need to wait until you start your period to start a new pack. The only issue would be if ovulation for that month was already triggered, so I generally advise patients to start the new pack whenever they want but just use a backup method for about the first two weeks.
So In your case I would wait a little while longer for your period, and if it is late more than a week and you're not pregnant, just start the pills and just expect your period may come at the wrong time in the first pack.
I hope I was able it adequately answer your question today and that my advice was helpful.
Best wishes, Dr. Brown
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