Expert: Diane Cheryl - 5/18/2011

Question
Dear Mrs. Cheryl,
    I am 19 years old and have been taking birth control for almost half a year now. I wasn't really consistent last month with my birth control and when I missed a day I would take two the next day as instructed. One week I missed a few days in a row and started my period two weeks prior to the correct week as indicated on my birth control package. I had a full period and then began taking my birth control regularly after my early period. I stopped taking the birth control during the week I was supposed to have my period and I never began my period. I began to get worried that I may be pregnant. I have been consistent this month in taking my birth control and am scheduled to be on my period next week. I am just asking as to why I didn't have my period last month during the indicated week. Did the early period have anything to do with why I didn't start on my regular schedule? Do you think I may be pregnant? I do have sex regularly, I am fairly consistent with my periods, and the birth control I'm referring to is Estrostep Fe. Any answers to these questions is appreciated. Thank You.

Answer
Dear Jessica,

I don't usually recommend birth control pills or any kind of hormonal birth control because of side effects. What happened to you can be a side effect of the hormones. This can cause your period to be abnormal. When you missed the pill/s and/or took ones to make up, this can cause a hormonal problem. This tricks your body and gets your natural cycle off.

But you could also be pregnant, I can't tell you over the internet. I would advise you to contact a pregnancy resource center and get a free test there. You can find a center near you by going to http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP. Or you can go to http://www.heartbeatservices.org and click on the globe in the upper right hand corner of the page to find a center near you.

Let me know what happens. You can email me at CHERYL51@aol.com and hope to hear from you soon.

Diane Cheryl