Delayed Period While on Birth Control: Causes & What to Do

Question
Good Evening,

Thank you in advance for your time and advice.

I have a history of what I presume to be polycystic ovarian syndrome because I would go several months without getting my period.  In September 2009, however, I got pregnant but had a blighted ovum.  On Friday September 25th I had a D&C to remove all the tissue.  I bleeding stopped on Tuesday the 29th and I started taking Yaz birth control pills on Wednesday the 30th.

I got my period on schedule in October (started on 27th ended on 31st) and November started on 23rd ended on 27th.

The problem is that I missed the last active pill and space pills in the December packet and have not gotten my period.  My period was due on December 22nd and as of this writing on January 3rd I have not gotten it.

I have had no sexual activity whatsoever and I have not experienced any increased stress in my life.  I did, however, seem to gain a few pound due to holiday cooking.

Might you have any idea on what the problem might be?  Why the missed period?

Also, should I start the January pack and see what happens?  If so, when?  I presume my new cycle should have already started.

Thanks again!

Answer
Dear Aneika,

If you have not had any sexual activity of any kind, then the possibility of pregnancy is out. So, there is no harm at all in re-starting the Yaz. In fact, I would suggest it, since it seemed to be keeping your hormones in a good cyclic pattern - at least for awhile. The treatment for PCOD is often BCPs, so the Yaz is likely what was helping with the cycles. As far as the missed period this cycle, it is hard to say. Different food, different activities over holidays, holiday stress... PCOD women are more susceptible to these things.

It sounds like you should have actually started a new pack around the the end of Dec/first of January?? Is that correct - if you had stayed on track with periods... So, at this point, you'd be throwing your normal pattern off by about a week. You can either start retaking the pills now, since you didn't have a period anyway, especially if you aren't having signs of one, or you can wait to have a period in January and then take when period is done. If you do not have one, then start retaking pills one month from date of last pill. Either way... you will need to realize at this point that you have been off the Yaz long enough that you should be on it again at least a cycle before you consider yourself fully protected from pregnancy.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and apologize for the delay in answering. I recently moved and am in a mess.  :)

Brenda