The reasons for missed period while on the pill can lead up to a varied number of causes. Find out about the effects of the pill, and what it contains within it, that forces it do what it does…
Oral contraceptives or birth control pills as they are interchangeably called, are pills that when taken through the mouth, can stunt the ability of the body to implant an egg in the uterus. These hormone altering medications contain parts of progestin only, or a mix of both progestin and estrogen. This mix of estrogen and progestin stop the onset of a pregnancy by blocking the production of a gonadotropin hormone called the luteinizing hormone, along with the follicle stimulating hormone.
These two hormones are responsible for creating an egg, that is later implanted in the female uterus, while then preparing the lining for the embryo once the sperm fertilizes the egg. The role of progestin is to thicken the mucus that surrounds the egg, making it difficult for the sperm to perforate. Contraceptives are available in different kinds like skin implants, pills, contraceptive infused intrauterine devices, injections, vaginal rings and so on.
It is important to understand the changes your body is undergoing, since birth control pills have side effects that you’ll notice a day or two after ingesting them. The pills work by first blocking ovulation which is when there is an egg released from the ovaries, which is stopped to thus prevent a pregnancy. It changes the constituents of the mucus in the cervix, making it hard for sperm to infiltrate. The lining of the uterus is then altered to a point where it cannot support an egg for fertilization. It also affects the fallopian tubes by not allowing eggs to pass through freely to the uterus from the ovaries.
Why Does a Woman Miss Her Period after Taking a Pill?
When you miss your period, it is because the body is going through a lot of hormonal changes that either stop you from menstruating for days or weeks, or immediately induce your period. So, depending on your body’s reaction to the pill, your period could either be delayed, or early. By changing the balance of hormones in your body, the pill doesn’t encourage it to function the way it normally would. Due to the presence of hindering hormones that mess up one’s ovulation patterns, the body subsequently reacts as a result.
If you were to take your pills later than the first 48 to 52 hours, the chances of getting pregnant are high. It is important to understand that if you don’t want to get pregnant, then taking this immediately after intercourse, is imperative. It is advisable to take a birth control pill not later than 48 hours. Another reason for your period being delayed is when one’s uterus lining has thickened, thus preventing the body from releasing the outflow of blood. Medications upon examination are effective when taking this problem to a doctor.
Are Contraceptive Pills Suitable for All?
No one ever thinks about the problems they could face if their bodies weren’t fit enough to take on the effects of the birth control pills. Here’s a list of problems that shouldn’t encounter the presence of a pill.
- Diabetes that result in blood vessel problems
- Breast cancer
- Allergies due to any ingredients present in the pill
- Diabetes that haven’t been kept in check
- Blood clot disorders
- Liver disease/cancer
- Hypertension in its extremities
- Jaundice
- Heart attacks or strokes in the past
- Migraines
- Abnormal uterus bleeding problems
- Recent surgery done that included a long period of bed rest
- Uterine cancer
What are the Side Effects of Contraceptive Pills?
There are a lot of changes that the body will have to endure as a direct effect of the pill’s doings. Not all symptoms are witnessed, with many people not experiencing them at all.
- Bloating
- Breasts tend to enlarge or feel tender to the touch
- Causes an outbreak of acne
- Alters one’s libido
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Weight gain
- Nausea
- Spotting between one’s period cycle during the same month of taking the pill
- Discharge turns brown in color, and is slightly in excess.
- The eyes lose out on the ability to hold on to a pair of contact lens.
The reasons for missed period while on the pill as you now know, can arise due to hormonal imbalances that occur as an aftereffect of ingesting the pills. Follow safe habits when taking these, and avoid ingesting contraceptive pills too often, as they can alter period cycles and cause unpleasant effects on your body.