Questions about stopping BCP mid-pack

peppers1227 · May 2015

Hey everyone. I have a few questions about stopping BC mid pack. I searched old threads and found some answers but looking for clarification beyond what I have read in TCOYF and other threads.

I know most recommend finishing a pack before stopping. I chose not to because I was on Seasonique so a pack is 12 weeks and the end of the preceding or next pack didn't work with our time line. So I stopped after 5 weeks in this pack. I expected withdrawal bleeding and have started getting it (just stopped pill 2 days ago).

One of my questions is why is there such a strong belief that stopping mid pack messes with your cycle more? I can see that could be the case with diphasic or triphasic pills, but many pills today are monophasic and doses don't vary throughout the cycle. If that is the case (which it is for Seasonique) I don't see why stopping mid cycles causes any more issues than stopping after finishing the pack. Only thing I can see is that if you don't get withdrawal bleeding it may be more difficult to date your cycle.

Anyone else have experiences to share about going off the pill mid cycle? From searching threads seems some people had no issue and others did, so probably different for everyone I guess.

Also, in general, what did you do if anything for contraception while waiting for your cycle to regulate? Condoms, withdrawal, nothing? I would like to chart a couple cycles before actively TTC so probably will try withdrawal since we would be OK if it surprised us sooner.

Thanks in advance for thoughts and opinions!

cattlebride · May 2015

I went off of bcp mid pack due to our luggage got delayed when we went to mexico. We were going to start TTC after that pack anyways so I wasn't too stressed about it. I started menstration a few weeks later and had another annovulatory cycle after that. I was on the mini pill due to breastfeeding. This was my experience however I know everyone is different. My cycle doesn't seem to truly regulate (ie last cycle was 48 days and a few cylces back I had one 28 days) so we didn't wait to TTC while my cycle regulated. Of course that being said my experience could be nothing like what you may go through. Good luck on your TTC journey

SisterMaryNapalm · May 2015

I'm not sure about the science behind going off mid cycle but I agree with you logic (although when did logic ever make sense of anything lol!)

When I was off bc a while ago and not TTC we used condoms. If you look at natural family planning places they can also help with strategies for non chemical bc. If you want to start TTC right away I've not heard anything about side effects after stopping bc and as long as you temp etc you should be able to pinpoint where in your cycle you should test.

mamaburdin2010 · May 2015

If you want to wait for a couple cycles to TTC, use condoms. I suggest getting Taking Charge of Your Fertility and a BBT and download Fertility Friend. This will get you a head start on figuring out your cycles.

Best of luck!

27alex · May 2015

BC has your hormones on a loop. It's one more hurdle for your body to go through to regulate.

What do you mean that doesn't work with your timeline? It can take a healthy couple a year to conceive, with a 20% chance each cycle. Release the control in terms of trying to time it perfectly.

peppers1227 · May 2015

cattlebride said:
I went off of bcp mid pack due to our luggage got delayed when we went to mexico. We were going to start TTC after that pack anyways so I wasn't too stressed about it. I started menstration a few weeks later and had another annovulatory cycle after that. I was on the mini pill due to breastfeeding. This was my experience however I know everyone is different. My cycle doesn't seem to truly regulate (ie last cycle was 48 days and a few cylces back I had one 28 days) so we didn't wait to TTC while my cycle regulated. Of course that being said my experience could be nothing like what you may go through. Good luck on your TTC journey

Thanks you so much for sharing your experience. Glad to see I am not alone! I know it may never regulate so makes sense you can't necessarily wait for that. At least like you said charting will tell you what you need to know about your cycles!

peppers1227 · May 2015

mamaburdin2010 said:
If you want to wait for a couple cycles to TTC, use condoms. I suggest getting Taking Charge of Your Fertility and a BBT and download Fertility Friend. This will get you a head start on figuring out your cycles.

Best of luck!

Thanks! I have actually already read TCOYF and am charting my first cycle off BC on FF. I didn't find a lot of information from those specifically why going off mid pack is so taboo for monophasic pills. Seems like a tribal knowledge rather than data based assumption from what I have read, so looking to hear if anyone had information otherwise.

peppers1227 · May 2015

27alex said:
BC has your hormones on a loop. It's one more hurdle for your body to go through to regulate.

What do you mean that doesn't work with your timeline? It can take a healthy couple a year to conceive, with a 20% chance each cycle. Release the control in terms of trying to time it perfectly.

BC is a loop because we time the pills that way, but your body doesn't "know" that. Your body responds to getting the hormones from the pill which prevents it from releasing other hormones etc that cause ovulation. I don't think it can recognize the difference between day 10 or day 20 on the pill because hormone levels are artificially constant. That is why you can "skip" your period with monophasic pills by just skipping the inactive pills. So with that logic I don't understand why it matters where you are in a cycle when you stop. The biggest change would be the thickness of the uterine lining if it hasn't built up as much as full cycle? Which is why it might be spotting rather than a full period?

I meant it didn't work for my time line because I am trying to avoid active TTC until July due to professional reasons. I started a new position in Feb and want to be at this job for overy a year before giving birth. I work in a very male dominated field so this is important to me. I know about the 20% chance a month but that affects how long it may take to actually get pregnant. That is not the part of my time line I am trying to control. But I am a scientist/engineer, control is my nature and I am sure will be a struggle for me when we start actively TTC. Thank you for the warning though as it is something I need to work on.

FiancB · May 2015

You'll probably have a short cycle and bleed a little, and possibly take a little break and then bleed a lot. It's nothing that won't regulate on its own, but it would probably regulate a little faster if you finished the pack. Everyone's different. Likewise, it's recommended you stop BC several months before TTC, but I just finished my first cycle off the pill and had a 28 day cycle and it appears I ovulated on day 15. So it looks like the withdrawal period wasn't really necessary but better safe than sorry. Currently using condoms, hopefully eventually use FAM + condoms during fertile period but H is not quite trusting of that yet. Not TTC til September.

With the Seasonique, I probably would've done the same thing. I wouldn't sweat it. I also used to have Nexplanon, similar idea, and cycles regulated pretty quickly after that as well. Get the AF over with.

27alex · May 2015

peppers1227 said:

27alex said:
BC has your hormones on a loop. It's one more hurdle for your body to go through to regulate.

What do you mean that doesn't work with your timeline? It can take a healthy couple a year to conceive, with a 20% chance each cycle. Release the control in terms of trying to time it perfectly.
BC is a loop because we time the pills that way, but your body doesn't "know" that. Your body responds to getting the hormones from the pill which prevents it from releasing other hormones etc that cause ovulation. I don't think it can recognize the difference between day 10 or day 20 on the pill because hormone levels are artificially constant. That is why you can "skip" your period with monophasic pills by just skipping the inactive pills. So with that logic I don't understand why it matters where you are in a cycle when you stop. The biggest change would be the thickness of the uterine lining if it hasn't built up as much as full cycle? Which is why it might be spotting rather than a full period?

I meant it didn't work for my time line because I am trying to avoid active TTC until July due to professional reasons. I started a new position in Feb and want to be at this job for overy a year before giving birth. I work in a very male dominated field so this is important to me. I know about the 20% chance a month but that affects how long it may take to actually get pregnant. That is not the part of my time line I am trying to control. But I am a scientist/engineer, control is my nature and I am sure will be a struggle for me when we start actively TTC. Thank you for the warning though as it is something I need to work on.

Yeah you're going to need to work on that control thing when you actually have a child too.

Also, why come and ask a question if you a) want a specific answer and b) have no interest in taking anyone's advice regarding stopping mid pack?

peppers1227 · May 2015

27alex said:

peppers1227 said:

27alex said:
BC has your hormones on a loop. It's one more hurdle for your body to go through to regulate.

What do you mean that doesn't work with your timeline? It can take a healthy couple a year to conceive, with a 20% chance each cycle. Release the control in terms of trying to time it perfectly.
BC is a loop because we time the pills that way, but your body doesn't "know" that. Your body responds to getting the hormones from the pill which prevents it from releasing other hormones etc that cause ovulation. I don't think it can recognize the difference between day 10 or day 20 on the pill because hormone levels are artificially constant. That is why you can "skip" your period with monophasic pills by just skipping the inactive pills. So with that logic I don't understand why it matters where you are in a cycle when you stop. The biggest change would be the thickness of the uterine lining if it hasn't built up as much as full cycle? Which is why it might be spotting rather than a full period?

I meant it didn't work for my time line because I am trying to avoid active TTC until July due to professional reasons. I started a new position in Feb and want to be at this job for overy a year before giving birth. I work in a very male dominated field so this is important to me. I know about the 20% chance a month but that affects how long it may take to actually get pregnant. That is not the part of my time line I am trying to control. But I am a scientist/engineer, control is my nature and I am sure will be a struggle for me when we start actively TTC. Thank you for the warning though as it is something I need to work on.
Yeah you're going to need to work on that control thing when you actually have a child too.

Also, why come and ask a question if you a) want a specific answer and b) have no interest in taking anyone's advice regarding stopping mid pack?

I am not looking for a specific answer, I am trying to understand why or to hear other people's experiences. And I already stopped mid pack for the reasons stated in OP so advice to not do so is not relevant.

bsckgb7 · May 2015

I stopped the mini-pill in February (mid-pack). I just started my period last week. No breakthrough/withdrawal bleeding at all.

peppers1227 · May 2015

FiancB said:
You'll probably have a short cycle and bleed a little, and possibly take a little break and then bleed a lot. It's nothing that won't regulate on its own, but it would probably regulate a little faster if you finished the pack. Everyone's different. Likewise, it's recommended you stop BC several months before TTC, but I just finished my first cycle off the pill and had a 28 day cycle and it appears I ovulated on day 15. So it looks like the withdrawal period wasn't really necessary but better safe than sorry. Currently using condoms, hopefully eventually use FAM + condoms during fertile period but H is not quite trusting of that yet. Not TTC til September.

With the Seasonique, I probably would've done the same thing. I wouldn't sweat it. I also used to have Nexplanon, similar idea, and cycles regulated pretty quickly after that as well. Get the AF over with.

Thank you so much for sharing! Interesting and awesome that you ovulated your first month off BC! I was curious if that can happen as it seems many people don't ovulate until after your first true period off the pill. I was pretty regular before the pill so crossing my fingers that is still the case!

Before coming to the bump I had not planned on stopping BC much in advance of TTC because my doctor had said most people get their period quickly after even with extended cycle pills. Coming to TB made me realize it is normal for it to take a few months to have a full cycle. That is actually another reason I stopped mid pack, I wanted the extra few months to start charting and let my body figure things out before we TTC. If I finished the pack I would have wanted to TTC right away and it would have been more stressful. The extended cycle pill is usually great but made this part of it slightly more of a headache.

peppers1227 · May 2015

SrMaryNapalm said:
I'm not sure about the science behind going off mid cycle but I agree with you logic (although when did logic ever make sense of anything lol!)

When I was off bc a while ago and not TTC we used condoms. If you look at natural family planning places they can also help with strategies for non chemical bc. If you want to start TTC right away I've not heard anything about side effects after stopping bc and as long as you temp etc you should be able to pinpoint where in your cycle you should test.

Yeah I just started temping when I stopped the pills this week. I am hesitant to rely in FAM for primary BC until I chart a couple cycles so I know what to look for, so probably should use condoms. DH is a baby about them lol but it's not for long so he can deal.

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