Expert: Brigid Kowalczyk - 6/29/2006

Question
I was on the pill for about a year and I got off it because I didn't like the idea of it and I was nervous of long term side affects.

I stopped two months ago and my period came late and i was told that is normal but another month has gone by and it's late again. Is that normal too?

Answer
The pill is a steroid compound.  It has side effects that can be predicted and some that are not so predictable.  Causing cycle irregularities is a common side effect from the pill even though it is prescribed for the opposite effect.  The pill is not "normal" so what happens as a result of the pill is not normal either.  It may take a few months to get back to a normal pattern.