AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question hi there!
I recently switched to a low dose birthcontrol pill, but i am nearing the end of the first cycle and still have not received my period, i am in a relationship and sexually active so i took a pregnancy test and it came out as negative. Is it normal to "skip periods"??
Answer Dawn
Missing occasional periods is not uncommon both for natural and more commonly emotional reasons. Simply changing the pill and the anxiety from your period being late can be causes. It is possible that the new pill may have altered your cycle length slightly, but this would probably re-stabilise as you start the next cycle. If you don't have a period (or have a light one) you should start the next course as normal as this is the greatest protection against pregnancy.
It may be that the combination of hormones in the new pill are still not right, so if the absence of a period continues to the end of the next cycle then you would be advised to check with your doctor. If necessary, a short dose of hormone could be given to bring on a period and alleviate anxiety, though obviously pregnancy would have to be excluded first.
Although it may be difficult and less acceptable to your partner, but using additional protection for the next cycle would add to the protection against pregnancy and I would hope that a caring partner would be understanding and supportive.
If you do start to notice any abnormal symptoms, then a further pregnancy test would be advisible, but in most cases like you describe there is usually no pregnancy and matters resolve naturally. So if you can stay relaxed it will obviously help you.
