When a period start on sugar pills..

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2004
When a period start on sugar pills..
3
Sat, 04-15-2006 - 6:26pm

Hi,

I've been on ortho tricyclen for almost two years and I'm curious to know when exactly I should be getting my period on the sugar pills. For a year and a half I ALWAYS got in on the third pill (which falls on a Saturday) and lately it's been changing a bit...like February it came on the Sunday....March it came the Thursday before and now it's Saturday (my third sugar pill today) and it's not here yet! I don't want to start to get worried because I take my pill EXACTLY the same time everyday and haven't used any antibiotics to change the effectiveness...so where is it? I have cramps and lower back pain. I have felt like my period is coming, but it's not here yet!! I get paranoid sometimes...can someone offer any insight into when it should come on the sugar pills and why some months the times can change from the first sugar pill to the fifth one when my period comes? Thanks!!

Lynne

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2004
Sat, 04-15-2006 - 7:18pm

I think technically it is supposed to start between sugar pill 2 and 5, but I missed many, many periods when I was on the pill. Some months, I just wouldn't have a period even though I was supposed to, and I was never pregnant. I wouldn't worry too much about it, especially since you aren't at day #5 yet. You can always take a HPT to ease your mind.

HTHs,
Allison

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 04-15-2006 - 7:39pm

Hi lynne81, welcome!

What is considered normal on BCPs is for AF to arrive anywhere from hormone free day 2 through 5 but it can be sooner or later. Exactly when she will arrive will depend on the hormones in a particular pill and the woman's reaction to them. Some months there can be slight changes in our bodies hormonal chemistry that will cause Aunt Flo to arrive a bit earlier or later than usual and when that happens sometimes there is no obvious external trigger, it just happens. As we age AF's arrival date can chance (usually becoming later) as our changing body chemistry interacts with the hormones from our pills. It sounds as though AF is on her way so I'm betting she will show up soon. I know it's unsettling to have AF changing around when she has been on a set schedule before, but I don't think you have anything to worry about as far as your protection is concerned. You might want to talk with your doctor and see what s/he says.

Thanks for coming by. please ask if you have more questions. Let us know how you’re doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2004
Sun, 04-16-2006 - 7:38pm

Hey,

Thanks to everyone who replied to my message...my period started to show up last night and is now here in full effect (cramps and all!..but I will not complain)!!! My mind is now at ease that everything is working as it should. Thanks again! Take care!

Lynne