Irregular periods after coming off BC

LunaGirl28

Hi ladies,

I'm just FULL of questions this week! Now that babies are on my brain, I have a lot of them... sorry.

I'm a bit concerned because I am having irregular periods and that's very unlike me (pre-BC).

I was on BC for 9 years.. and just recently came off of it in August. My first period post-BC was pretty late. I believe it was 1.5 weeks overdue -- 40 days instead of my usual 28 and very light. My next period was normal though very light - 28 days to be exact and now here I am.. waiting on month #3 post-BC. I was supposed to get it on Saturday, making me around 31 days. I've felt slightly crampy but beyond that, really no signs its coming.  Should I be worried? Is it too soon to get nervous that there's something wrong w/ me? I've been reading a lot about PCOS on here so of course that comes to mind.

I guess what I'm really wondering is that if my periods are still irregular when we begin TTC (which is in Dec/Jan timeframe), how the heck do I track it? Can I even get pregnant?

snooks721

I'm in the same boat as you girl! I went off in July after being on it 9 years. My first period was a few days later than what I was used to. Then I got my period 5 weeks after that. So my last period was September 14.... I haven't gotten it since! I keep thinking maybe I'm skipping a month because my periods were always irregular before I went on the pill when I was 18 so maybe they'll still be irregular. At the same time I'm constantly taking pregnancy tests... haha!

I had a gyno appointment 2 weeks ago and my dr said it was completely normal for your periods to be irregular especially after being on the pill for so long. So I guess we just have to be patient!

AlanaB2010

Thanks all for this info - I've been pretty regular since coming off the BC but this just highlights for me the importance of charting (I started this week).

Can I ask another related but not related and undeniably TMI question to all of you?  Since going off the BC 2 months ago, I have fallen into this horrendous cycle of yeast infection/BV/yeast infection that I am having trouble shaking.  Back to the doctor tomorrow...and seeing an OBGYN to ask TTC questions in a few weeks so planning on following up then if not resolved by my internist today.  I read a lot that going *ON* BC  is what causes this for a lot of people - did anyone have this result from going off it?  I'm wondering if it's just a hormone shakeup.  It is highly unpleasant - I've never ever had these issues in the past so working on no background knowledge or experience.  Ugh.  Yes.  TMI.  Sorrry.

hazeleyed

I am on my fifth cycle off 12+ years on BC. First cycle was 35 days, then 29, 38 and then 37. I track my temps to see when I ovulate so irregular cycles do not affect me TTC....I hope!

LunaGirl28

This is probably a really silly question, but how do you track your temps? Is there an easy guide out there that tells you how to do it?

hazeleyed

I suggest purchasing Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. Then I use the Fertility Friend website and app to record my temperatures. It is really easy and takes all of a minute a day at most.

kcisthebombdotcom

I was able to get pregnant twice even though I had long cycles. I had 30 day cycles for almost ten years, went on birth control for five years, and ever since I've been off it for the past five years my cycles have been 35-50 days. There is nothing physically wrong with me. I tracked my cycles and had a dating ultrasound when I got pregnant both times.

DoubleUp8

My last round of BC is next month, then I am going off of it. So I am posting mostly to keep track of other people's advice on this! My plan is to start charting after I go off, so I am ready this spring when we decide to start. Sounds like I should look into tracking temperature too. Can I use a regular thermometer, or do I need to buy a special one?

kara222

It's normal for your cycles to be off the first couple of months after going off. Please don't read too much into it and start to worry about PCOS or some other problem. We tried for 1 year and my cycles were irregular the entire time (shortest was 33 days, longest was 63 days). Went on Clomid and got pregnant the first time using it. Not going to lie, cuz my cycles were so crazy and long it was a PAIN to try (I know, should be fun, haha). And tracking my temp never worked for me. I tried ovulation kits but they're so expensive and with long cycles and irregularity I couldn't keep spending money on them. So I asked my doc and she recommended clomid. Good luck trying and don't stress!

LunaGirl28

I am 38 days right now.. still no period... getting nervous even though I know I shouldn't be. I've had a very stressful few days so I know that's probably not helping.  I guess my question at this point is -- when do I talk to my doctor? At what point does it become abnormal for this to happen?

jewskers

My husband and I are also trying to conceive, but I'm having a lot of the same issues. I started on BC when I was 16 b/c my periods were irregular. I chalked that up to being a teenager and a long distance runner. I stopped taking BC (Nuvaring) about 4 months ago. Now that I'm off my cycles are all over the place. Most recently AF showed up on day 42 and has been hanging around for almost 3 weeks now. Did anyone else experience very long AF when they went off BC?

Wine&Cupcakes

All of this is great advice...I'd also like to add that after being on BC for about 5-6 years, I got off of it and although my periods did regulate themselves pretty easily, my flow has remained pretty light and the length of my period went from about 5-6 days of full-on bleeding to maybe, 3 days of spotting that sandwich 2 days of light flow.

I'm slightly concerned about my LP and lining thickness, but hope to learn more by temping and charting...you would benefit from doing the same, me thinks.

Mysterious_wife

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