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Why no menstruation after stopping the pill?
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Absence of menstruation after stopping the pill, also called post-pill amenorrhea, is common. It may take some time for the menstrual cycle to return to normal. Sometimes the absence of menstruation can indicate an underlying problem. When should you get your period again after stopping the pill?
Also read: Amenorrhea: why no periods?
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When you decide to stop taking the birth control pill, or when you reach the end of a pack, the withdrawal period (false period) generally occurs within a few days (or not at all in the case of progestin pills). But it may take longer for your natural menstrual cycle to fully recover.
This is because the synthetic hormones in the pill can have temporary effects on a woman’s hormonal system. It may take some time for your body to produce these hormones again.
Every woman is unique and the way her body responds to stopping the pill may differ. Real periods (not induced by the pill) and ovulations usually start again within three months after stopping contraception. If this amenorrhea lasts longer after the pill, other factors may be the cause.
Also read: Female cycle: 9 useful apps
Also read: Can the pill give you migraines?
Possible causes of absence of menstruation after the pill
When we worry about missing periods, pregnancy and menopause are often the first reasons that come to mind. However, post-pill amenorrhea can have many other causes, such as the use of certain medications, hormonal disorders and problems with the ovaries.
Factors that can affect menstrual cycles after stopping the pill include:
- Earlier periods: Women with a history of irregular periods are more likely to experience a significant delay in the return of ovulation after stopping the pill.
- Age: Younger women can recover their cycle more quickly than women approaching menopause.
- Early menopause: 1 in 100 women experience menopause and its symptoms before the age of 40. This is caused by premature ovarian failure (POI). The ovarian reserve is abnormally low. Menstruations become rarer until they disappear completely.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Nearly one in ten women suffer from PCOS, a hormonal imbalance that results in excessive production of androgens (male hormones). This syndrome mainly causes disturbances in the menstrual cycle, the absence of menstruation and ovulation.
- Amenorrhea in sportswomen: Women who play high-level sports or those who exercise intensively can develop amenorrhea due to insufficient body fat. This absence of menstruation is reversible. One solution is to exercise less often and less intensively. Menstruation usually starts again on its own.
- Weight: people who are very thin or suffer from eating disorders (anorexia and/or bulimia) may have a disturbed menstrual cycle. Obesity can also lead to hormonal imbalance and cause amenorrhea. Menstruation normalizes as soon as you regain a healthy weight.
- Medication: the use of certain medications (oral corticosteroids, antidepressants, antipsychotics) has the side effect of amenorrhea. You do not necessarily have to stop taking your medication, but discuss possible alternatives with your doctor.
- Stress and psychological shock: A traumatic event (death, accident, rape) or stress can affect the proper functioning of the hypothalamus and result in the absence of menstruation as long as the patient’s mental state persists.
An ovarian tumor, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) and hyperprolactinemia (excessive secretion of prolactin) can also cause amenorrhea, but this occurs only rarely.
Also read: Ovarian cancer: vague symptoms lead to late diagnosis
When should you worry?
If a woman does not have a period after stopping the pill and this persists for a prolonged period – more than 3 months after stopping estrogenic contraception – it is advisable to consult a health professional to assess the situation.
Also read: Sports and menstruation: the influence of your cycle on your performance
Sources:
https://www.em-consulte.com
https://www.nhs.uk
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
https://www.msdmanuals.com
Last updated: February 2024
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2024-02-21 23:02:55
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