Expert: Norman Solberg - 8/22/2010

Question
Norman-
    I was taking birth control for just over a year and a half. I took it consistently everyday. After i stopped taking them i stopped getting my period and theres no way I'm pregnant. I have been off the pill for 7 months now. I'm not planning on having kids when I'm older so I'm not to worried about being infertile, but could not getting my period be a health risk?

Answer
Hi Michele,
It could be a health risk in 2 ways.  First, your uterine lining could build up over time, and you could have heavy and prolonged bleeding.  Second, that same buildup of the uterine lining can lead to precancerous changes.  It would be preferable for you to take some progesterone pills every 2 months or so for 7-10 days that would cause the lining to slough off.  That would prevent bleeding problems and also cancer from developing.  I would talk to your doctor about it.  Best wishes.