A strange and complicated tale. Please help!

[Arorah]

I'm 19 years old, and I do think I have my priorities right.  I'm at university studying a degree, I live with my parents, don't drink much, don't smoke at all and have never taken drugs.  Right that's the introduction over

I have a wonderful sexual relationship with my boyfriend of 2 years.  

I have a particularly fussy body, that likes to react negativley to contracteptives.

I've been on 3 different types of contraceptive pill, each different one made me depressed/gain ridiculous weight,/and have headaches.  The contractepive injection Depro Provera proved not to be for me either, since I retained over 6lb (and growning) of water over 6 months.

I've finally found the pill for me though ladies.  It's a progesterone only pill named 'micronor'.

My story (well my little confusion) begins in November 2006.  I was going through a rough time, I was just settling into university, and was moving into the halls of residence there (which consequently I left after not a long while, as I was disheartened by the drunks that threw up on my doorstep, and threatened me for no reason) and basically I was stressed.  The catch with the micronor pill, is that you have to remember to take it at exaclty the same time every single day, no breaks.  

I made a few mistakes, and went to bed, exhaused and forgot to take my pill.  I did this for around 2 days in a week for a bout three weeks (Yes I undertand that it was very silly of me, and lord knows I regret it).  As a consequence I had several periods back to back.

I began to notice at the beginning of December that I was gaining weight.  I dispiared since this was the season of good will and parties, and my birthday is in December, I had abought a lovely dress to wear, and I was terrified that I couldnt fit into it.  I blamed my pill, as this was the cause for my weight gain the past two times.  I was unable to see my nurse over the christmas period, and I stopped taking my pill.  This was silly of me.

Me and my boyfriend have not had sex AT ALL whilst i've been unprotected.  But we did during the time that I was forgetting my pill, but I can assure you that every occasion was protected.  I am such a cautious person, and miss beng intimate with my boyfriend.

Since I stopped taking the pill, I have not had a period.

I am very worried.  I am putting it down to having several periods at once in November.  The date was the 18th December when I stopped taking the pill.

Can anyone please give me any advice.  

I've never done a pregnancy test before, since I am so careful.

I am frightened.

Thank you xx xx Steph

[Popples]

The several periods in november, were they full fledge bleeding or just spotting/breakthrough bleeding? Because i know from experiance with my own birthcontrol if i miss a pill i get the spotting-ish sort of breakthrough bleeding. Really the only way you are going to know for sure about pregnancy is if you take a pregnancy test, they are usually pretty simple pee on the stick or pee in a cup and stick the stick in there sort of deals, you dont have to spend extra money on the super fancy ones either, the cheap ones work just as well, and they all come with pretty detailed instructions.
Your body could just be readjusting to life without artificial hormones, and it is taking a minute for your period to catch up, but the best way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test (or 2). The sooner the better especially if the results are not what you hoped for, so more options may be open to you if you so choose.
Good luck!

[Arorah]

They weren't fully fledged no, nor were they spotting, they were just like a light period.  I am really worried about his.  If I do a pregnancy test today, will that re-assure me that i'm definatley not pregnant?

[Arorah]

I did a pregnancy test today, and it came up 'not pregnant'  I have bought some more (for some reson the store was offering 'buy one get one free' on Clear Blue tests) so I can test again if I do not see Aunt Flo.
  Thank You for your advice.

I have bought some Vitamin C tablets and some Parsely Tea to encourage my period.  

I havent experienced any effects of pregnancy as of yet, except maybe very very slight cramps in my stomach, I think these coul dbe due to anything though.

[Jocey]

Hi Steph!

Taking a pregnancy test is exactly what I would have recommended doing.    

The symptoms you've been experiencing could be the result of going off hormonal birth control.  It's different for each person, but some women do find that their cycle is a little wonky for a while after they go off of HBC.  You might find some helpful information in this section of our Vulvapedia.

I would give your body a little more time to adjust to being off of hormonal birth control, and of course continue to use a back-up method as you have very wisely been doing.

Best of luck!  I hope your period makes an appearance again soon.

[Arorah]

I'd like to say a big thank you for you're advice.

You'll be pleased to know, my period arrived yeatserday.

It's been very painful today, since this is my first natural period for a few years, but i'm relieved.

I would have been much more worried if it wer'ent for VP, so thank you so much

Arorah

[Jocey]

Congratulations!  I'm glad to hear your period arrived, and also glad that we were able to help.

Also, if you continue to have painful cramps and whatnot, there are some great self-care strategies here -- I personally find that taking omega-3 supplements helps a lot.