Expert: Doctor Early Options - 10/19/2009

Question
I had my abortion on June 16th.  I started taking Loestrin birth control pills on around June 28th.  By the beginning of August, I had still not started my period.  I went back to the clinic, they did a pregnancy test and an ultrasound.  The test was positive, but there was no new pregnancy. They did a 2nd procedure and said that there was a lot of tissue that they removed.  By the end of September, I had still not started my period so I went back again. The doctor said that there was nothing to be concerned about and implied that the other doctor overreacted by doing the 2nd procedure. She said to continue taking my pills another month and then come back if I hadn't started. She indicated that she would begin looking for someting like thyroid issues if I didn't start though. So now, I have finished another pack of pills and still no period. I'm planning on going back this week, but wanted to try to find some information elsewhere too.

Answer
Dear Denise,
You have three reasons to have a delayed period, and they are all normal. 1)It is common and normal to have a delayed period after an abortion.  I have seen it take up to three months to get back into cycle. 2) If you have retained products, you will not get a period because your pregnancy hormones are still present.  So, in a sense, you have really missed one period since the issue of retained products was resolved. 3) In addition, it is common and normal to miss a period or to have very light periods when you start on birth control, especially Loestrin.  

If you are concerned, you might try another birth control pill that isn't designed to give you light periods. There is no reason to check other blood tests at this time.

I hope this is helpful,
Doctor Joan
http://www.earlyabortionoptions.com
New York City