Expert: Diane Cheryl - 11/18/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I was just wondering when to start "worrying" about not getting my period yet. I got off of Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo after my last period, and still have not gotten my next one. It is 5 weeks late today. I had been on the pill for 7 years, so I know my body is probably pretty confused at this point! I'm not worried yet, but just wonder how long until I should be (and take a pregnancy test). Thanks so much!

ANSWER: Hi Natalie,

Thanks for giving me this question. Please check with your doctor as I am not a medical professional. So you have gone off the pill and you want to be pregnant? Please clarify that for me. Yes, your body takes a while to normalize after having hormones in your body. I would go to http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP to find a local pregnancy testing center. They could recommend when and where to get a free test. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Diane,

No, I am not looking to be pregnant. I just decided to go off the pill because I think my body deserves a break of those added hormones. I may go back on, but wanted to see how my body reacted (also in regards to acne). I was just wondering at what point would it be time to check if I'm pregnant? Two months of no period? Six months? My body was on the pill for 7 years so I realize it may take a while. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Natalie,

That's good that you understand that you are getting a lot of hormones when you are on the pill. Unfortunately, if you don't want to get pregnant, you might not have gone off or picked another kind of birth control method. I would think after 2 months of no period, I would get a pregnancy test. I wouldn't want to wait till 6 months, but then if you were pregnant, you would have symptoms by then! Like I said, please go to http://www.optionline.org or call 1-800-395-HELP
If you're not in the U.S. let me know and I'll try to find some other resources for you.

Diane Cheryl
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com