Not always a problem...
It is actually quite common to have some delay before normal periods start again after stopping the contraceptive pill. It is not usually immediately clear how much this delay has to do with the pill itself, but if it takes more than 6 months, the pill was probably hiding an underlying period problem, rather than being the cause.
If periods don't come back within a couple of months, its worth seeing your GP or gynaecologist. The first investigations to be considered are:
What is your height/weight - normal periods sometimes stop if your body mass index (BMI) is less than about 19. This page helps you calculate your BMI. Being overweight can also interfere with normal ovulation.
- Progestogen challenge test - a 5-7 day course of progestogens are prescribed, at the end of which you should have a period - this checks that your ovaries are producing adequate oestrogen.
- Ultrasound scan of the ovaries and hormone test, to rule out common causes of failure to ovulate, such as polycystic ovaries or ovarian cysts.
- Hormone screen. This will look for other causes and may include a thyroid screen, prolactin test, bloods for PCOS and a check to make sure that you do not have premature ovarian failure (premature menopause).
If these are all normal, then its likely just to be 'one of those things'. If you are wanting pregnancy then you will probably respond well to a short course of clomifene for 5 days per month to make sure you ovulate. See also the infertility pages for more information.