Expert: Mia - 12/4/2008

Question
okay so i have been on birth control for 4 months, to clear up my face, and I was having breakthrough bleeding while on it. I'd have a 5 day period (never regular, and i never have been regular) and then like.. 12 days later I'd get a period that would last about a week. so they put me on a higher dosage of birth control. I usually would take my birth control in the morning.
so when they started me on this heavier dosage, i not only took my one lighter birth control pill from that morning, but i had to take 2 from my heavier dosage to get caught up so i could start the heavier dosage right away.
and although i have never missed a period in a month before, it's NEVER been regular. My boyfriend and I had protected sex (spermicidal condom) in the beginning of september, and he did not ejaculate anywhere near me. Since then we have chosen abstinence. That's the only safe way not to get pregnant, which is why we stopped. We don't want to take that chance.
I have had 2 periods (well, one at the end of september, into the first week of october, and then 12 days later, 5 days of more bleeding, and that was the day i started the stronger dosage) since having sex.

I have heard that when you start a new pill, especially when it's a stronger dosage, it can cause you to skip a month, which would add up perfectly because I have only done the first package of this new pill package, and started a little into the second pack.

I guess my question is, is it possible i have missed my period because of the stronger dosage and my body trying to regulate it, or could i be pregnant?

I waited until it was sure that i missed my period in november that i took two pregnancy tests, both came up negative. I counted the days after november 5th, when is when my period should've ended, and it was 13 and 14 days after that, that I took the tests. and like I said, both were negative.

I stopped using the pills 6 days ago, and i still have not gotten anything.

should i be worried?
Please help me, I've told my mom, but she doesn't really know. I've also talked to my gynocologist, and she thinks I should be fine.

I sure hope so, i'm getting an athletic scholarship to college, and if i get pregnant, i will lose that scholarship.

Answer
Hi Talia,

I think I understand correctly, but let me review so I know for sure:

When you and your boyfriend had sex in the beginning of Sept, you used a condom and were also on birth control (the lighter dose.) You had a period at the end of Sept into Oct, then breakthrough bleeding 12 days later. In October, you started the higher dose pill and have not had a period since then. You took 2 pregnancy tests in November and both were negative. Is that correct? It does not sound like you skipped or missed any pills or that the condom broke.

I do not think you are pregnant. It is very common for women to skip a period (or more) when on the pill without being pregnant. This happens to me, in fact. You also say you stopped taking the pill. If this is the case, then it can take several months for your body to adjust to being off the pill. Plus, since you say you have irregular periods when not on the pill, your body with go back to this. If you would feel better getting a period before going back on the pill, then you can wait it out. Or you can start the pill again. However, if you do not get periods while on this pill, and you prefer to have that reassurance (if you decide to have sex again) you may want to have your doctor switch you to another brand.

Stress can also affect a woman's hormones and her period. If you continue to be concerned about pregnancy, you may want to consider a blood test to have that reassurance.

I hope this helps. If oyu have further questions let me know.

-Mia