Patient's question:
Hello:My period was supposed to come on the 15th, but it hasn’t arrived yet. My neighbor nurse helped me take a pregnancy test, and it came back negative!
I had sex in October and used condoms as protection. My period came on schedule, and I took an emergency pill once. In November, I had more frequent sex, still using protection, and took another emergency pill during that time.
Could you please explain why my period hasn’t arrived? I’ve been coughing recently and took Strong Persimmon (a cough syrup). Also, is the early pregnancy test reliable? If the birth control pill caused my period to be irregular, how many days would my period be delayed?
Doctor's answer:
Irregular menstruation caused by birth control pills generally does not require treatment and can usually recover on its own within 2-3 months. Due to the suppressive and delayed ovulation effects of birth control pills, as well as their ability to inhibit the endometrium, the next menstrual period may be delayed. Additionally, temporary medication use can cause a temporary increase in hormone levels in the blood, followed by a decline, leading to withdrawal bleeding, which may manifest as an early menstrual period.The side effects of birth control pills may lead to endocrine disorders, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, infertility, or gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, weight gain, nervousness, low mood, skin hyperpigmentation, and acne. Excessive use may result in infertility in the future. Birth control pills should not be used more than three times within a year, and only once per month.