Period FAQs

can medicine affect your period

by Helga Rodriguez Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can affect the menstrual cycle. A few examples are: Aspirin and other medicines (called blood thinners) that prevent blood clots. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (for example, Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (for example, Aleve).

Full Answer

What are the factors that affect your period?

From stress, to diet, to your contraception , there are so many factors that can affect your period.

Why does my period change?

Among these, you’re likely to find that your usual period routine changes radically. This is because the ovary is chemo-sensitive. "Chemotherapy results in a reduction in the number and growth of egg from the ovary," Dr Khaled advises. "This invariably causes loss of hormone production and missed periods, and even early menopause.".

What to do when you have cramps during your period?

Aspirin. It’s pretty common practice to use painkillers to ease cramps and other period-associated miseries, but if you reach for these on a monthly basis, it could be time to consider popping a different kind of pill. As it turns out, aspirin could actually be making the situation... well, messier.

What is antipsychotics used for?

"Antipsychotics are a group of potent medications, which are used for the treatment of serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia," says Dr Khaled. "They are associated with disruption of the menstrual cycle, and this is down to increased production of prolactin [a hormone that’s produced in the pituitary gland] - a side effect of how they work."

How often should I take a mini pill?

If you’re using the mini-pill, you need to take it every day at exactly the same time, and unlike some other the 21 day combined pill, you don’t get the guarantee of a regular period. As a result, the most common complaints are the absence of a period or bleeds mid-cycle.

Does aspirin cause period pain?

As it turns out, aspirin could actually be making the situation... well, messier. "Aspirin's blood thinning properties make it less ideal for period pain," explains Betty's resident Doctor, Dr Khaled Sadek. "Unlike other anti-inflammatory pain killers, aspirin possess blood thinning characteristics which can result in heavier menstrual flow.".

Can a mini pill cause a period?

The mini pill. Okay, so we know that this one is obvious, but there are a number of ways that the pill can impact your period, and it’s not just by delaying it or stopping it altogether. "The contraceptive pill comes in two forms: the combined hormone and the progesterone only ‘mini-pill’," Dr Khaled outlines.

What is the best phone number to call for menstrual cycle?

Although different kinds of medication have been found to affect the menstrual cycle, if you are experiencing any symptoms or abnormalities which you are worried about, don’t hesitate to contact your GP or gynaecologist, or give us a call on 0207 10 11 700 .

Can you take steroids before chemo?

Your doctor will often recommend that you see a fertility specialist before starting chemotherapy if you wish to preserve your fertility. Steroids: Steroid medications such as prednisolone can affect periods and make them irregular, prolonged and sometimes heavier. This is usually after long-term use of steroids.

Does aspirin cause bleeding?

Aspirin in theory can increase the amount of bleeding during a period, but in practice this effect is minimal. It is also not particularly effective at reducing the period pain. Ibuprofen is excellent for reducing period-related pain and does not affect the amount of bleeding.

Can a minipill cause periods to be blocked?

Sometimes the periods are completely blocked. Irregular bleeding in the first few months is also a common side effect. The injection pill, implant and minipill all contain progesterone and often lead to absence of periods. Irregular unpredictable bleeding is a known side-effect. Make an appointment.

Does Aspirin cause break through bleeding?

It makes the cycle regular and periods less heavy and less painful. Hence, the pill is often used as a therapeutic intervention for conditions such as endometriosis, heavy or painful periods. Occasionally taking the contraceptive pill can lead to break-through-bleeding between periods. Aspirin:

Can diet pills cause periods?

Diet pills are known to cause irregular periods. A body fat percentage less than 17% can also affect menstrual cycle and lead to a lack of periods (as in many Olympic athletes). Chemotherapy can lead to premature menopause and hence no periods. But sometimes the ovaries can recover and periods can resume normally.

Can antidepressants cause irregular periods?

Weight Loss Pill: A sudden change in weight can also affect menstrual cycle. Diet pills are known to cause irregular periods.

Why is heroin dangerous?

This class of drugs is dangerous for several reasons, including how they may affect your menstruation. Chronic heroin use can lead to irregular periods 2 and some opioids can impact your flow as well lead to heavier or lighter periods. 3

Can drug abuse cause period?

Drug abuse and addiction can lead to serious problems throughout the body, especially over time. Along with damage to internal organs and changes in the brain, these substances may also lead to issues with normal body functioning and processes, including possibly your period.

Can cocaine cause a fallopian tube to be damaged?

Prolonged cocaine abuse may also cause damage to the fallopian tubes that can make conceiving a child later more difficult. 1 Because of this risk, admission to a cocaine detox center sooner rather than later could save you from heartache down the road.

Can taking drugs affect your period?

Because doing drugs can affect your period as well as your reproductive health, if you are experiencing any abnormalities with your period, you should talk to your gynecologist immediately. Some of these problems could be signs of more serious issues or lead to fertility problems down the line.

Does cocaine cause ovulation?

Cocaine use, especially regular cocaine use, may disrupt the menstrual cycle, interfere with sex hormone levels, and stop ovulation altogether . 1 This means that a cocaine addict could go several months without a regular period or not get their period at all.

Can drugs interfere with your period?

Some women have irregular menstrual cycles to begin with, but substance use can make these problems worse or more pronounced. Just like how some prescription drugs and medications can interfere with your menstrual cycle, illicit drugs or abused drugs may have similar and in some cases, serious effects on your period and reproductive health.

What are some medications that cause irregular periods?

Medications are a common cause of irregular periods. Anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, weight loss medications, steroids, hormones, and ADHD medications are some examples of medications that can alter menstrual cycles. If you’re taking one of these medications and being to experience irregular periods, talk with your doctor.

Why does my period stop?

For example, if your body has too little fat on it or you are exercising too much, your period can stop or your cycle can be longer than average. Seek medical support if you have an eating disorder or believe your period may be affected by disordered eating. 4 . Stress can also affect your period.

Why is my period irregular?

Make sure you alert your doctor if your period is consistently irregular. Certain medical conditions can also affect your period. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, can make your period irregular, with cycles being heavier and less frequent. Other chronic conditions that put stress on your body over a long period ...

What is the most common bleeding disorder in girls and women?

Prolonged or heavy bleeding after minor cuts, dental work, childbirth, or surgery. The most common bleeding disorder in girls and women ( von Willebrand disease ) runs in families, so your mother, sister, female cousins, or aunts also might have some of the signs listed above. 5.

Do biological women have periods?

Most people think of periods as a predictable part of a woman's life. As a biological woman, you will most likely develop a period ; however, when and how frequently it occurs can vary even if you've been getting your period for years. Lewis Mulatero / Getty Images.

Can stress affect your period?

If you are going through a particularly stressful time, your period may stop or change from what is normal for you. While this usually doesn't cause long-term period problems, try and reduce your stress if it is affecting your period.

Why is my period delayed after taking antibiotics?

That doesn’t mean you might not have a delayed period after taking antibiotics. It just means the antibiotics aren’t the culprit. The truth is that many things can delay to your period. Often, these things are happening during the same window of time you’re on antibiotics. For example, a delayed period can be caused by stress.

Why is my period so late?

Stress. Stress is one of the most common reasons your period might be late. Stress can lead to changes in the part of your brain that regulates your period. It can also lead to changes in weight, another common cause of late periods. Body weight or weight loss.

What does it mean when you miss your period?

As you approach menopause, your periods may become less regular. If you’re younger than 40, missed periods could be a sign of a condition called early perimenopause. While it’s rare, a late or missed period can also be a sign of ovarian cancer.

How to fix a delayed period?

The best remedy for delayed periods is to talk with a healthcare professional. They can help you figure out what’s causing your late periods and develop a treatment plan to help address the problem.

Why is my period one month late?

You might have a late period one month, but then be back to your normal cycle next. However, a late period can be a sign of something more serious happening in your body, so it shouldn’t be ignored. Reasons you period might be late include: Pregnancy.

Can ibuprofen cause menstrual bleeding?

Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen can cause changes in your menstrual bleeding.

Does rifampin affect birth control?

Other antibiotics haven’t been shown to have any effect on your hormones, so they’re unlikely to have any effect on birth control.

What medications can cause a period?

Taking prescription drugs. Any medication that involves hormones—like thyroid medication (and thyroid problems in general), steroids, or antipsychotics (which release a hormone, dopamine)—can influence your period. The first thing you should know is that hormones don't act in isolation.

Why does my period get shorter?

Thanks to shifts in your hormones, your cycle gets shorter before it gets longer, explains Samantha Butts, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Penn Medicine. "Then, at a certain point, the number of eggs in your ovaries declines such that your periods are infrequent," she says.

What hormones are released when you travel across time zones?

Traveling across time zones. Your brain produces the hormone melatonin to signal to your body that it's time to go to bed. But when you travel to another time zone, your body releases melatonin as if you're still at home, even if it's broad daylight in your new location.

Why do marathon runners lose their periods?

Heard of marathon runners losing their periods? It's not a myth: frequent rigorous exercise combined with low body fat puts stress on your body, and this stress tells your brain to stop producing reproductive hormones. "Since you can't nourish a baby under extreme stress, your body temporarily shuts down the production of fertility hormones," explains Dr. Lerner. One study found that half of exercising women experience subtle menstrual irregularity. A period that arrives a few days off schedule is nothing to worry about, but see your doctor if you haven't had your period for longer than three months. "It's a condition called amenorrhea, and it can compromise your bone density long-term," says Dr. Lerner.

How long is a period without a tampon?

You'd plan beach trips around it and you'd never be caught without a tampon. Unfortunately, a little variation is typical: "The average cycle is 28 days—that's 28 days between the first day of one period and the first day of your next period—but anywhere in between 24 and 31 days is considered normal," says Veronica Lerner, MD, ...

Do pesticides interfere with hormones?

"Pesticides mimic hormones," says Dr. Puritz. "They compete with and block the hormones in your body, making it difficult for your endocrine system to function properly." One study found that women living on farms that used pesticides had longer cycles and more missed periods than women who lived on pesticide-free farms. What's more, those who were exposed to hormonally active pesticides were 60 to 100% more likely to have long cycles, missed periods, and spotting, according to the study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Dr. Puritz suggests limiting your exposure any way you can: "Even choosing organic food at the supermarket helps," she says.

Does birth control cause cancer?

Having too much estrogen for an extended period of time increases your risk of endometri al cancer. If you can't seem to drop pounds, talk to your gynecologist about going on the pill. " Birth control thins out your endometrial lining, decreasing your risk for endometrial cancer," explains Dr. Lerner.

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