Expert: Brigid Kowalczyk - 7/7/2006

Question
Hello,

I've been off Mircette for about 3 months.  The first month I had a regular period, the second came a week early and now the third is late.  I've also been having more vaginal discharge (clear and milky, depending on the time of cycle) than I had while on the pill.  I also suffer from severe health anxiety, so I'm worried.  I'm not in pain or any kind of discomfort.  Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Unfortunately, the pill is actually a drug and has side effects.  It can appear to make your cycles "regular" but that is just appearances. Your natural hormones are what drive your periods to come and go at the proper time.  So, I would guess that during the time you were on the pill (and had your "normal" bleeding) your natural hormones were disturbed and have not regained their pattern.  They may in time settle down to a more normal pattern but that may not be the one you were used to while taking the artificial hormones.  

The discharge is a normal part of the way your body reacts to your natural hormones and that is a good sign, not a bad one.  As you get used to your natural health, you will be able to tell when something is wrong and when something is right, because your body sends you signs (like periods, vaginal discharge, fever, headaches - some good signs, some bad ones).  

I believe you will just have to be patient and wait and see if things don't settle into a natural pattern in a few more months.  It doesn't sound like there is anything serious to worry about now.