Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Missed Period Inspite Of Being On Birth Control Pills?
Question: Dear Dr. Gibson, I have been off invega sustenna and risperdol consta injection since July 29 2014. Have not had a period since. I am currently on birth control for one month to see if it will give me a withdrawl bleed. Is it possible for these to medicinces to be in my system after 6 months and affecting my prolactin levels so I'm not getting a period. Please help.
Brief Answer:
invega may still be present in small quantities
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is not likely for the risperdal consta at 6 months but possibly the invega would be having a minor effect.
All medications have a half life. The exact time varies from one drug to the next. The half life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of medication in the system to decrease by half.
It takes 3 to 4 half lives for a medication to be completely eliminated.
The half life of risperdal consta is 3 to 6 days . This means that it would be eliminated in 9 to 24 days approximately, so by this time it would not longer be exerting an effect.
The half life of invega sustenna is 25 to 49 days. This means that it would be eliminated in 75 days (2 1/2 months ) to 196 days (6 1/2 mths).
It is possible that residual amounts would still be present and having an effect on prolactin level.
Since this medication would be completed eliminated by the end of month 7, if the problem persists then there is likely another cause.
The other causes of delayed periods are: (1) increased prolactin due to another cause
(2)physical illness
(3)abnormal levels of thyroid hormones
(4)excess physical activity
(5)polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
(6)emotional stress or illness
If another cause is suspected then blood tests (prolactin levels, thyroid hormone, reproductive hormones, testosterone- increased in PCOS) would be done
Imaging would also be needed
Summary: (1) risperdal consta would already be eliminated
(2)invega may still be present in small quantities and having effect by should be eliminated by end of month 7
(3)if symptoms still present after this point need additional testing
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
invega may still be present in small quantities
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is not likely for the risperdal consta at 6 months but possibly the invega would be having a minor effect.
All medications have a half life. The exact time varies from one drug to the next. The half life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of medication in the system to decrease by half.
It takes 3 to 4 half lives for a medication to be completely eliminated.
The half life of risperdal consta is 3 to 6 days . This means that it would be eliminated in 9 to 24 days approximately, so by this time it would not longer be exerting an effect.
The half life of invega sustenna is 25 to 49 days. This means that it would be eliminated in 75 days (2 1/2 months ) to 196 days (6 1/2 mths).
It is possible that residual amounts would still be present and having an effect on prolactin level.
Since this medication would be completed eliminated by the end of month 7, if the problem persists then there is likely another cause.
The other causes of delayed periods are: (1) increased prolactin due to another cause
(2)physical illness
(3)abnormal levels of thyroid hormones
(4)excess physical activity
(5)polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
(6)emotional stress or illness
If another cause is suspected then blood tests (prolactin levels, thyroid hormone, reproductive hormones, testosterone- increased in PCOS) would be done
Imaging would also be needed
Summary: (1) risperdal consta would already be eliminated
(2)invega may still be present in small quantities and having effect by should be eliminated by end of month 7
(3)if symptoms still present after this point need additional testing
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes, dr. already did MRI and found no tumors and ultrasound which was fine. I don't think thyroid was check so I can still do that..Unsure about polycystic ovarian syndrome...I didn't have any problems until I took these medicines and I called company and they said invega can be in system up to 343 days so that's 11.4 months not 7 months...where did you get that information????So if invega is still in system it could still be affecting prolactin levels. Do you think by taking birth control for 28 days it will give me a withdraw bleed at this point or is the invega still strong in my system so it won't do anything. I will be interested in knowing if birth control works in 1 month.
Brief Answer:
the written info on the meds
Detailed Answer:
HI
The prescribing info states a half life of 25 to 49 days but the company would be aware of facts not necessarily printed in the info.
Invega can increase prolactin levels and this would cause delayed periods as mentioned.
The possibility that it is still in your system was suggested and it is possible that it is causing your delay.
The birth control should work to give you a withdrawal bleed since the levels of the drug should be continuously declining, though it may be at a slow rate.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
the written info on the meds
Detailed Answer:
HI
The prescribing info states a half life of 25 to 49 days but the company would be aware of facts not necessarily printed in the info.
Invega can increase prolactin levels and this would cause delayed periods as mentioned.
The possibility that it is still in your system was suggested and it is possible that it is causing your delay.
The birth control should work to give you a withdrawal bleed since the levels of the drug should be continuously declining, though it may be at a slow rate.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
