Missing Periods with New Birth Control

K., you didn't say how old you are but if you have been on birth control for 20 years, I assume you are in your late thirties or early forties. I am wondering if the pill is interfering with or masking the effects of early menopause. It sounds like you need a second opinion and probably a complete blood workup especially of your natural female hormone levels. The pill is probably not the best birth control method for women over 35. If you done having children, you or your spouse might consider tying some tubes, his or yours. I had it done and it was a relief not to have to worry about it anymore. Just a thought. Good luck.

I do not take yaz, but my pill does that-I have not had a period in almost a year except for spotting here and there. L.

Hi K.,

I checked the FDA site and a few published medical articles for you. Amenorrhea (no period)is a known potential side effect of Yaz, but I couldn't find any indication that it was a cause for concern as long as you're not pregnant. Since you had a negative pregnancy test that was administered per guideline, it is highly unlikely you're pregnant. Remember -- everyone's body is different. If your body already produces higher levels of progesterone naturally, the added amount from the Yaz could increase it just enough to prevent the monthly preparation of the uterus to support a pregnancy. Basically, if the blood supply and lining to the uterus don't increase, there's nothing to slough, hence no period. BTW, if this is the case for you, you might want to talk to your doctor about the possibility of PCOS, which also causes amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea (infrequent periods) along with a host of other symptoms. This seems unlikely for you, though, considering that you mentioned that you've always had regular menses and that you have had 3 successful live births, I assume without fertility treatments.

If you're having other significant side effects (check the package insert -- they're all listed there) then you should talk to your doctor ASAP. If you're not comfortable taking the pill considering the side effects, then switch to another method. If you go to http://www.drugs.com/pro/yaz.html, you'll find a table that lists the relative effectiveness of different forms of birth control (not of products -- just the general types).

As far a Yaz being in the "guinea pig" stage, that's not really true. The first research articles on the compound used in Yaz appeared in 1991. Various human trials have been ongoing for safety and efficacy since 1995. It received FDA approval (no small feat!) in March of 2006 for birth control use and in Jan of 2007 for treatment of mild acne, as well as for PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

This pill is still in the guinie pig stage. I would be very concerned. Some new birth control methods have been causing strokes and paralysis. The Mirena method causes extreme wieght gain. I would get off YAZ and let your body funtion normally. Have your husband wear a condom.

Hi K.,

If I were in your shoes, I would surely feel concerned. I did take YAZ, although it had the opposite effect on me. I didn't stop bleeding on the stuff. I hated it!!!

I would recommend seeing another doctor. Especially if your doctor hasn't run any tests to see what's happening inside your body. Focusing only on your instincts, how do you feel? Do you sense a problem or another pregnancy? I've not ever heard of one's period stopping while taking a BCP... an IUD, yes. I'm not a health care provider, but that just seems a bit off to me.

If you would like my doctor's name and number, I will glady share it with you. She has delivered both of my children and she is in a class all her own. She is such a beautiful hearted and understanding woman. She NEVER stresses and has never made me feel that way. She feels more like a sister or a dear friend than my OB/GYN. I just love her to bits!! And, for me, those appointments are ones I never welcome... When my husband and I moved to Orange County 7 1/2 years ago, finding an OB/GYN was a worse concern for me than finding a place to live in less than 1 day! I think I was absolutely blessed in finding her. In my opinion, YOUR doctor's concern of how your feeling and what you're thinking and going through must be as important to them in knowing and understanding as it is to you.

Until you find out what's going on, I would progress forward from this point on as if you are pregnant (if that's even a slight possibility). You wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize the baby. And just to touch on the fact that your pregnancy test read negative, so did mine at first when I was pregnant with my son.

In Light,
J.

I am on the same birth control and for the first couple months my periods were normal, but now i will only spot like one day if any. I have taken like two pregnancy tests both were negative. I have been on it for little less than a year, so iam used to how my menstral cycle is. I actually like it.

Many don’t realize that the period one has on OCs is not a REAL period; it’s actually withdrawal bleeding. Withdrawal bleeding is NOT necessary to maintain gynecologic health.
Some women falsely believe that without a period, blood or other toxins may begin to build up. Although some claim that it's unnatural or harmful to manipulate a woman’s monthly cycle by completely stopping her period, in reality, women are already controlling their menstrual cycles just by using birth control pills. Given that few women naturally have a 28-day menstrual cycle, pill use automatically directs a woman’s cycle to be 28 days.However when you take extented OC such as YAZ you are taking 24 days of active pills with 4 days of hormone free pills therefore your withdrawl bleeding will be minimal to none for most women.If you are concerned then YAZ is not the pill for you and you may want to change to traditional 21 days active pills with 7 days inactive pills to assure you get your withdrawl bleeding with each cycle of the pills.many womens choose to have less bleeding or none with these new pills in the market and it is your choice just let your provider know as what will be your desire......TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE!

My husband works in the medical field. He said make your doctor listen to you. It's not normal. could be dangerous as far as blood clots,and stuff

As a nurse practitioner, I highly recommend reading the book by a Pharmacist "The consumer's guide to the PILL and other drugs"
ALL Birth Control pills change your hormones AND ARE NOT your friend.
most do NOT prevent the ovary from releasing the egg, and if you really do read the insert that comes with you Pack, (2 inch wide 5 miles long) they trust you won't bother to get the magnifying glass to read it. It will say t he the method of action is usually to prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum.
Most practitioners will not be willing to tell you this piece of information.
barrier methods are much safer for your long term heath and sanity!

I have been on yaz for about eight months now in those months i havent had one period>>> i am coming off of the depo shot and should have had one by now i have the same question you do!!! At least you know that you arent alone!!! Good luck...
I will be going to the doctor soon to be taken off this pill!!! After awhile you really start to miss your period

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I was on Yaz for about 3 years and basically my period all but disappeared with occassional spotting during the time I was supposed to have my period each month. Personally, I loved not having a period to think about! If you are that concerned then maybe you should switch to a birth control that makes you have more of a period?? I love Yaz, though :) Birth control with no period? What could be better? ;)

I wouldn't bother with any of that stuff. Try checking out Natural Family Planning! You wouldn't ever regret being more informed. It has served my whole family splendidly. One good website is www.boma-usa.org. But either way, good luck!

my best friend takes yaz and she rarely gets a period. and when she does it is spotting for a day or two and that is it. she told me it freaked her out at first but her doc said it was normal with yaz. if i were you i would take a preg test and call the doc again just to be sure you are in the 'normal' range. like you i have always been on the pill and am programed to have a monthly visitor and not having one is odd to me too but docs say that we don't have to have one every month. hope that helps!