I have been of the pill since Aug 2005. My period has always worked like clock work - always on time while on the pill. When I stopped the pill it was still regular. In October I was late by a week but was quite anxious, I did 2 hpt & 1 blood test which was negative & I was quite disappointed but got over it. Ever since my period has been regular again & no sign of conception. My last period was on the 17th of Feb & the next was expected on the 17th March. I was late again - it came on the 19th. Is this normal? Why the weird delays? Should I be concerned?

If you're really concerned, of course, your doctor will know best. However, in my experience, I have had the same things happen before. It's fairly normal to have fluctuations in your cycle every now and then. It's possible that since you've gone off the pill, your natural cycle is trying to normalize itself again. When you're on the pill, your period is clockwork because the hormones you're taking dictate what stage of your cycle you're in. When I was on birth control over a year ago, I had a 28 day cycle. When I went off, my cycles started getting shorter, until finally it settled at a 26 day cycle. It still runs like clockwork, but every now and then, I'll be late a day or two. Some people have normal cycles that are longer than the standard 28 days. Chances are, your period is normal. Of course, like I said before, the doctor knows best, but if you go, make sure they know you're trying to conceive. A lot of times doctors will prescribe birth control to regulate your cycle. Hope that helps some.

-B

Sometimes the stress of trying to conceive... you know, the hopes and disappointments can cause pyschosomatic symptoms to occur in a woman's body such as nausea, breast tenderness, and a delayed period. I am trying to conceive now and the same thing has happened to me. I talked to my doctor about it and his advice was to relax. Good luck!

Ever hear of the old saying only when you stop looking will you find what you have been looking for? It relates. Stop stressing. my period has never been normal in the 15 years I have had it. At 18 I had to take hormone therapy to even get it. Artifical hormones also screw up the natural go of things. It often takes a year to normalize. Make sure your not overdoing it in the bedroom. Every 3 days is best, never more. Let his sperm build up a bit and well, quickies do suck. Relax, make the experience linger. Do you want to say "daddy and I did it like rabbits trying to get you" or "you were made out of love when the time was right"? When you feel crampy but not bleeding, make love. usually ovulation mimics PMs with no bleeding and there is also a increase in discharge or a thickness to it.

Hypatia