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What Causes Delayed Menstruation While On Folic Acid?

Posted on Mon, 2 Nov 2015

Question: Hi. Its been 43 days since my last period. I'm on folic acid - could this cause this? I'm definitely not pregnant

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No, folic acid does not affect periods. .

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Folic acid does not affect periods. There are other factors causing delayed periods including :
- hormonal imbalance
- genital infection
- stress, etc

Hope it answered to your query.
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Unfortunately it didn't really answer. So how do I know what has caused the missed period?
I've never missed one before and I'm regular.

I'm also on lamictal and kepra but have been on these a long time before this has happened. Nothing new has happened between my last period and now.

At my last GP appt it showed that I had a low red blood cell count and low in iron, hence the folic acid. Could the folic acid not be working? I've been on it for a a couple of months.
Would appreciate more advice

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
iron deficiency anemia is causing irregular periods

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,

I understand your concern.

Now, for a better understanding, I can say that iron deficiency anemia is causing your periods to delay.

Folic acid will help restore the low count of red blood cells without causing irregular periods.

Depending on the severity of the anemia (a copy of total blood count result will help me understand the current severity of anemia), it will take a while to resolve the problems with anemia and irregular periods consequently.

Hope it cleared up your doubts.

Dr.Albana

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar