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Missed Period On The Pill? Find Out Why

The oral contraceptive pill has a lot of benefits. While it protects you from unwanted pregnancies, it also makes your menstrual cycles regular. So if you have a missed period while you are on the pill, it can scare the wits out of you. It nearly always means you are pregnant! However, it is perfectly possible that you have a missed period and are not pregnant. So do not press the panic button just yet.

RASHES DURING PERIODS: TRY THESE..

Sit back, relax and try to think. If you had a missed period, what could be the causes of it except pregnancy. When you have a missed period on the pill, it greatly increases your chances of being pregnant. However, there are many cases of people who have had delayed period while they are taking the pill and did not get pregnant. You need to analyse the causes of missed period and see if they match your scenario.

You also need to check for symptoms like missed period on the pill but spotting. You can also have menstrual cramps but not bleed. These symptoms indicate that you are not pregnant even if you had a missed period on the pill. Lifestyle changes make a lot of difference to your menstrual cycle. So always be doubly sure before you go for a pregnancy test.

Here are some reasons why you can have a missed period while you are on the pill.

When Is A Missed Period?

When Is A Missed Period?

Getting your period 2 days late does not classify as 'missing' your period. When you do not have your period for more than 6 week, only then have you missed it. So do not panic as your periods might just be late.

Stress

Stress

Stress can do strange things to your body. Every muscle in your body cramps up due to excess stress. It is possible you have a missed period even if you are taking contraceptive pills when you are going through emotional stress.

Iron Deficiency

Iron Deficiency

May be you do not have enough blood in your body and thus, you are not getting your periods. More than 50 percent Indian women are anemic and that is a very common cause of missing your periods.

Prolonged Use Of The Pills

Prolonged Use Of The Pills

Using contraceptive pills for a prolonged periods of time can also make your body hormonally unstable. You are supposed to break the cycle of pills every 6 months. If you have been taking the pill non-stop for years, then you should consult a doctor.

Change Of Pill

Change Of Pill

Suppose you switched brands of the pill or you have gone from taking pills of one kind to another over the last month, this could also make you miss your period.

Traveling

Traveling

Traveling and being jet-lagged often affects your body. It can sometimes confuse your biological clock. It is common to miss your periods even on the pill due to this.

Menopause

Menopause

If you are hitting the 35 mark, then you could look at menopause as a possible cause of stopped menstrual flow. Women are hitting menopause very early these days. And being on the pill makes you prone to hormonal imbalance.

Manipulating Period Dates

Manipulating Period Dates

Women often try to manipulate their period dates by having pills. This can be because they have a weeding or travelling during their actual period dates. This can also be attributed to missing your periods.

Story first published: Monday, May 19, 2014, 17:18 [IST]
Read more about: contraception birth control