What to expect from 1st cycle off BCP?

RedInLove

I went off the pill about 3 weeks ago after being on it for about 15 years. I'm not expecting a perfect 28-day cycle, of course. However, I have no real idea of what will be normal for me, and what it might take to get there. Should I anticipate a possible wacky first cycle (or few), or would I tend to get to my normal fairly quickly? I started charting online with FF this month to keep better track (something I never did before I was on BCP, but I never had any complicated/painful/seemingly odd cycles before BCP that ever drew my attention or concern) but I don't want to get worked up for no reason if my first BCP-free cycle goes long, for example. Once I was on the pill, I never came off it until now, so I don't know what kind of crash or adjustment to expect.

Thank you for any information you might be able to give me!  

StephPV

I am going back in the memory vault for this since I have been off bcp for a few years now, but I don't remember the length of my cycle to have changed much at least initially.  What I do remember is that my pms symptoms changed.  

Either way, I wouldn't try to compare to what you remember your cycle and symptoms to be 15 yrs ago. Since being off bcp, my own cycle and symptoms have changed as I have gotten older and also due to weight, stress etc.  Your body just needs some time to get into it's own rhythm. (which will also change over time)

Mercades Lane

I went off and started bleeding for two days then quit.  Then I started this week a week and a half later full force bleeding.    Ugh is all I can say.

 

dragonlady1

Mine went regular in the first cycle, but it was incredibly irregular on the pill (so I may be atypical).  I definitely have worse period symptoms off, though.  Cramps, BB tenderness, etc.

 

Good luck!

Guennie

StephPV:

I am going back in the memory vault for this since I have been off bcp for a few years now, but I don't remember the length of my cycle to have changed much at least initially. nbsp;What I do remember is that my pms symptoms changed. nbsp;Either way, I wouldn't try to compare to what you remember your cycle and symptoms to be 15 yrs ago. Since being off bcp, my own cycle and symptoms have changed as I have gotten older and also due to weight, stress etc. nbsp;Your body just needs some time to get into it's own rhythm. which will also change over time

Ticker warning.

This. I was also on bcp most of my life until about 4 years ago. When I went off them my cycle surprisingly stayed regular. When I was young I had heavy painful periods but I found being older this changed. There isn't really one answer anyone can give you as far as what to expect, it depends on your body and several other factors, probably including what type of bcp you were on. You will just have to hang in there and see how your body adjusts. Tracking everything is an excellent idea. Good luck!

HeathernSteven

I felt pregnancy symptoms every month, it sucked sore boobs, nausea etc....was never pregnant. Turns out I had pcos so I was never regular after going off BCP, but my symptoms died down in about 6 months

Pintobean39

When I got off bc my cycles went straight to 28 day cycles and stayed like that until I got pregnant.  When I was younger and got off bc I had wacky cycles.  I don't think there is any way to tell.  

 

Good Luck!! 

melissiag

I went off BCP in May after having been on it for about 12 years.  May I was regular, and then last month my period came a week early.  Otherwise I don't really feel any different. 

gscoville

I didn't get my period for a whole month after taking my last pill, event though I should have at least had my withdrawal bleeding that first week after, go figure. I also had really severe PMS symptoms leading up to my periods for a few cycles after. Of course, PMS symptoms are pretty much the same as many pregnancy symptoms, so I made myself crazy convincing myself I must have been pregnant when I wasn't. 

MarylandWed

After I got off the pill my cycles were different from pre pill cycles. I would start spotting days before full flow which ended up being a luteal phase defect.

RedInLove

Wow, it really is an 'anything goes' scenario! I will definitely keep charting, hopefully that will show a good pattern within a couple months. I also just received my first package of Wondfo strips to start testing on my next cycle. Thank you for your kind responses, ladies!

jb2rn

TICKER/PHOTO

 

I had also been on the pill about 15 years.

Same as pp - I totally felt pregnant the first month. I didn't chart that first cycle, but I think my cycle was normal, about 30 days long.

Good for you for temping right away - you learn so much.

best of luck!

anniemck

I was on the pill for about 5 years, and when I stopped taking it, I didnt notice anything different, no bleeding or cramps. We got pregnant right after I got off it though, about 6 days after!

Good luck to you!