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What Causes Menstrual Cramps With No Periods Inspite Of Being On Birth Control Pills?
Question: Hello. Can you have menstrual cramps but no period? I'm on the BC (2 months) recently got the IUD (mirena) taken out. I am on my third sugar pill and no period. I've been taking my BC at about the same time every day and have not missed a day. It has been 5 years since I had a normal regular menstrual cycle...last month was out of wack since I got the IUD taken out. I don't think I'm pregnant, but the question is there since I got pregnant two weeks after I got out of the depo and on the pill (5 years ago). I also had overian cysts (3 of them) that had to surgically removed in Feb 2013 and the cramps feel the same specially after having intercourse with my husband. Confused and scared :-) XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Do not worry it is not a major issue
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome,
I understand that you had an ovarian cyst removed in February 2013, did not use birth control after the IUD was taken out and now are using BC pills since 2 months.
Cramping can occur before periods in cases of pelvic congestion where there is increased blood flow in the pelvis before menses and this leads to heaviness and pain.
There are a few possibilities in your case. The commonest reason for absent periods is pregnancy as you have not used BC initially. I am not sure if you got your period after the month when you did not use contraception. If you had a period after that and started the pills on day 1 of the period then most likely pregnancy is not possible.
If you did not have a period since you came of the Mirena, then please get a pregnancy test done to rule it out as this is the commonest cause of absent periods.
Other reasons for the missed periods are pills, especially progesterone only pills. So please let me know which pills you are using. Also it takes about up to 7 days for periods to come after starting the sugar pills so they may come in the next few days.
The other reason may be recurrence of ovarian cysts. It depends upon what type of cysts they were. They may cause cramps and delay periods. It would help i you could tell me what type of cysts they were [ a histopathology report would help] to say if they are likely to recur.
So as of now, please do not worry so much as all the causes are common ones and can be taken care of. Get a pregnancy test done, if it is negative it is most probably the pills that are causing it. Wait for a few days and periods may come. If they do not come and you continue to have cramps then a gynec examination will be needed to rule out any other issue.
Hope this was helpful.
Feel free to ask any further queries and I will be happy to help.
Thanks for using HCM.
Have a good day.
Dr Nilajkumar Bagde
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology
Do not worry it is not a major issue
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome,
I understand that you had an ovarian cyst removed in February 2013, did not use birth control after the IUD was taken out and now are using BC pills since 2 months.
Cramping can occur before periods in cases of pelvic congestion where there is increased blood flow in the pelvis before menses and this leads to heaviness and pain.
There are a few possibilities in your case. The commonest reason for absent periods is pregnancy as you have not used BC initially. I am not sure if you got your period after the month when you did not use contraception. If you had a period after that and started the pills on day 1 of the period then most likely pregnancy is not possible.
If you did not have a period since you came of the Mirena, then please get a pregnancy test done to rule it out as this is the commonest cause of absent periods.
Other reasons for the missed periods are pills, especially progesterone only pills. So please let me know which pills you are using. Also it takes about up to 7 days for periods to come after starting the sugar pills so they may come in the next few days.
The other reason may be recurrence of ovarian cysts. It depends upon what type of cysts they were. They may cause cramps and delay periods. It would help i you could tell me what type of cysts they were [ a histopathology report would help] to say if they are likely to recur.
So as of now, please do not worry so much as all the causes are common ones and can be taken care of. Get a pregnancy test done, if it is negative it is most probably the pills that are causing it. Wait for a few days and periods may come. If they do not come and you continue to have cramps then a gynec examination will be needed to rule out any other issue.
Hope this was helpful.
Feel free to ask any further queries and I will be happy to help.
Thanks for using HCM.
Have a good day.
Dr Nilajkumar Bagde
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you Dr. Nilaj XXXXXXX Badge
I don't think I am pregnant. I took the IUD out in Feb 2014 and started the BC the very next day (24 hrs) and been taking it religiously :-) . But like I said five years ago BC failed me and I got pregnant while on the BC and getting out of the deposit but that was 5 years ago and now I have a beautiful daughter.
I'm on progesterone pills and my ovarian cysts surgery was on Feb 2013. It was a laparoscopy surgery to remove three cysts from my right ovary two were 2cm and the other was 4cm. None cancerous!
Its been a while since I've been a normal female....meaning I haven't had a period for a very long time....so its like being 16 again and getting it for the first time. Lol so lots of questions.....plus I really do not want to get pregnant again.
I'll just sit and wait for my period and if no period I will do as you suggested. Thank you for your time and consideration.
XXXXXXX
I don't think I am pregnant. I took the IUD out in Feb 2014 and started the BC the very next day (24 hrs) and been taking it religiously :-) . But like I said five years ago BC failed me and I got pregnant while on the BC and getting out of the deposit but that was 5 years ago and now I have a beautiful daughter.
I'm on progesterone pills and my ovarian cysts surgery was on Feb 2013. It was a laparoscopy surgery to remove three cysts from my right ovary two were 2cm and the other was 4cm. None cancerous!
Its been a while since I've been a normal female....meaning I haven't had a period for a very long time....so its like being 16 again and getting it for the first time. Lol so lots of questions.....plus I really do not want to get pregnant again.
I'll just sit and wait for my period and if no period I will do as you suggested. Thank you for your time and consideration.
XXXXXXX
Ooh sorry. I do remember my ObGyn saying that I am prone to get cysts since if had a small history of them but one surgery.....usually they've gone away on their own in the past. Sorry I can't remember the type of cysts they were.
Brief Answer:
It was a pleasure answering your query.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome back,
The chance of pregnancy is low if you have started the pills the very next day and taking them correctly.
Please check to see if they are progesterone only pills [ contain only 1 drug] as they cause absent menses. Also another possibility is the use of Mirena. It takes a while to resume the hormonal pattern in some women after using Mirena.
Also the pain may be due to the stones if they are still there. Sometimes they come down and cause pain. But this pain is more on one side and is severe. Please drink plenty of water to help flush them.
You have decided well. Just wait and see if they come. If they do not then follow the plan.
Take care.
Dr Nilajkumar.
It was a pleasure answering your query.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome back,
The chance of pregnancy is low if you have started the pills the very next day and taking them correctly.
Please check to see if they are progesterone only pills [ contain only 1 drug] as they cause absent menses. Also another possibility is the use of Mirena. It takes a while to resume the hormonal pattern in some women after using Mirena.
Also the pain may be due to the stones if they are still there. Sometimes they come down and cause pain. But this pain is more on one side and is severe. Please drink plenty of water to help flush them.
You have decided well. Just wait and see if they come. If they do not then follow the plan.
Take care.
Dr Nilajkumar.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you and you have great summer!
Brief Answer:
Wish the same for you all too Jamie!!
Detailed Answer:
Wish the same for you all too Jamie!!
Wish the same for you all too Jamie!!
Detailed Answer:
Wish the same for you all too Jamie!!
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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