QuestionI am 29 years old with no children. I took my last birth control pill on 11/18/05. I started my period on 11/20/05. My next period was due on 12/18/05, however it is now 12/21/05, I haven't had one. I had cramps on 12/18/05, along with very faint spotting. I haven't had anything since. I took a home pregnancy test this morning and it was negative. I had been on the pill for 10 years. Prior to starting the pill, I had irregular periods. Throughout my teens, I would have a period about once every 3 months. However once I became an adult, I bled incessantly. I would have my period for a week, and then go off, and start up again a week later and so on. When I started taking the pill 10 years ago, I had been bleeding for 40 days straight. Of course, while on the pill I have been extremely regular. I guess my question is, 1) is there a possibility I could be pregnant 2) did I not have a period because I didn't ovulate?3) what should I expect now, will I resume the 40 day thing again? My husband and I are trying to conceive.
AnswerVery often, a woman who stops the pill will resume the type of cycle she had prior to starting the pill. If you had irregular cycles before starting the pill, you may have irregular cycles again. If your last period started on November 20, you may have ovulated on December 3 and could have conceived if you had sex on December 2,3,4, or 5. If you did become pregnant on one of those days, a pregnancy test would not show a positive result until 14-21 days later (between December 16-23). If the test was negative this morning, it is doubtful that your are pregnant. However, the best time to take a pregnancy test is seven days after missing your next period. You were due for your next period on December 17, so the best time to take a pregnancy test is December 24 if you do not get your period by then. If it is still negative, consult with your gynecologist to see how to regulate your cycle now that you are not taking the pill.
