Why are my periods missed after taking birth control pills?

Question

Hello doctor,

I missed my period for this month and I am worried. I am currently on birth control (Estarylla pills) and the last week of last month, there were a few days I forgot to take my pills and had to double up for about 3-4 days. After that, I had brown discharge for 4 days a week before my period the 3 days when I was supposed to have my period. The discharge was pretty thick, but not exactly a usual period. I took a pregnancy test after my period was late 4 days and the results were negative.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The discharge you saw was breakthrough bleeding. Estarylla or any birth control pills contain estrogen and progesterone which are the hormone that control your menstrual cycle. They have to be taken every day at the same time, 2 doses being 24 hours apart. When a pill is missed, the estrogen and progesterone level fall, this causes an imbalance. As you have missed your pill for 3-4 days, this causes a big fall in hormones. Reduced hormones causes breakthrough bleeding which you see as brownish discharge. Do not worry. Now you have to restart your menstruation which is called withdrawal bleeding. This can be done by Progestin pill (like Provera or Deviry 5 mg taken twice daily for 5 days). Once you stop the pill, withdrawal bleeding or menstruation will occur within week of stopping the pills. You can start your new pack of Estarylla on day one of your cycle, but do not miss any doses.