No period (at least yet...) on the mini-pill?

January 28, 2012 11:50 PM

No period (at least yet) on a progestin-only birth control pill; do I really have to go in to the doctor?

I had to switch from Nuvaring to a progestin-only pill in late November because of highish blood pressure. I unexpectedly got an unusually heavy but short period beginning on December 5, a week after I switched, but things have been normal since- not even spotting.

I have had sex a handful of times in that time period, but I have taken the pill religiously within a 2-hour range every day and took a (negative) home pregnancy test a couple days ago. The pill's packaging says to go in to see the doctor if you go more than 45 days without a period. Do I really need to do this? Irregular menstruation (or lack of periods entirely) is a well-known side effect of the mini-pill and, with a negative pregnancy test, I feel pretty comfortable not going in assuming they're not going to do anything more than give me another pregnancy test. Is that assumption correct?

posted by My Top Secret Sock Puppet Account to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

I've been on the PoP for the best part of a decade and haven't had a period in all that time and no doctor has even batted an eye when the subject has come up. However, my pills don't say I need to see a doctor if I don't have a period for 45 days, unless its going to be a huge financial hardship, I go just this once to find out if there is something to be concerned about.
posted by missmagenta at 12:52 AM on January 29, 2012

Call as ask to speak to the nurse about it. Most likely the nurse will confirm over the phone that you don't need to come in.
posted by evilmomlady at 4:53 AM on January 29, 2012 [1 favorite]

Usually things are irregular the first 3 months. I had 3 weeks of spotting, then nothing, then a 3 day period. I wouldn't be concerned, but if your pills say to see the doctor, I would at least call the office and ask if you really need to come in.
posted by DoubleLune at 9:51 AM on January 29, 2012

Huh. I took the PoP for the better part of a year and never once had a period. Didn't occur to me that I should have that checked out--I took it mostly as a stroke of good fortune! I think the packaging is just being overcareful. But if you're concerned, call the nurse.
posted by Liesl at 7:02 AM on January 30, 2012

Most doctors will talk to you on the phone briefly as a follow-up or if you have a quick question like this. Try calling your doctor.
posted by radioamy at 9:23 AM on January 30, 2012

I started taking the progestin-only mini-pill recently in part because of the high possibility of not getting my period.

If you've been taking it as directed and a pregnancy test was negative, you're probably fine but it sounds like you need reassurance so call the nurse.
posted by noxetlux at 9:54 AM on January 30, 2012