Babies on the Brain

What is "normal" after stopping BCP?

My husband and I decided almost a year ago that August would be our time to TTC. I finished my BCP pack in early August, and had my period that month. I haven't gotten a period since (I've taken pregnancy tests, not pregnant). Wondering if this is normal? I have an appointment with my doctor next month but I've been anxious in the meantime. I've also been taking prenatal vitamins, as I've read that is recommended when TTC. Help?

Re: What is "normal" after stopping BCP?

  • Hi, just wanted to let you know that I am going through the same confusion!  I stopped taking my BCP in September, thinking that would give my body plenty of time to regulate before TTC in January.  Of course, now we pushed up TTC to November, so I don't know what my body will be doing by then!

    Like you, I got my period a few days after I stopped BCP, just like I normally would on a placebo week.  Then nothing for 30 days  (before BCP my cycle was more like 26 days, so I assumed it would go back to that ... ha!).  I also thought maybe I was pregnant and took two tests.. nope! And then ... the WORST period I've probably ever had!  Very heavy flow, terrible cramps... it lasted for 3 days, then completely nothing for a day, and then started up super heavy again the next day... WTF?!  I'm still waiting to be done. 

    It sucks, but I just have to hope that eventually I will be normal again! I don't that there's really anything that can be done, but I would ask your doctor if you already have an appointment.  
    Me (28) & DH (29)
    Married: May 2015
    BFP 1/24/16 EDD 10/4/16
    It's a boy!

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  • I think your cycle being totally wonky or not even happening for a few months is "normal". It took my friend almost 4 months to get her period after she went off BC. Im hoping to go off mine soon and im nervous bc i dont want crazy acne or mood swigs or weird periods lol everyone is different though! just let your doc know whats up next month and see what they say.
  • Your bleeding after stopping the pill is breakthrough bleeding and isn't necessarily a "period". Waiting for your body to kick back up is normal. I recommend buying TCOYF by Toni Welsher? Spelling might be off. But it will explain alot about how your body works and even talks about coming off the pill and what you could experience.
  • Normal can be so different for everyone. Personally, I didn't experience any differences in my cycle after coming off BCP, but I know a lot of women do experience symptoms and changes to their cycle for months after stopping. It's very common.
  • I've read that it can take up to a year to get "back to normal". My first cycle after stopping bcp was 87 days. Even the next two cycles were long, around 40 days. So I guess it took me around 6 months to become somewhat regular. Wasn't trying to get pregnant at that time, so for me it wasn't an issue. But it would have been excruciating if I was TTC at the time.
  • Thank you all for your comments! Very helpful.
  • Unfortunately, its' very normal.  It took me 5 months to get a period again, and then it disappeared again and I'm on CD55.  Hang in there!  Doctors don't tell you how normal it is because they want you to take BCP!
  • No clue. I had absolutely zero perceptible changes and no disruption of cycles. I'm sure it depends on the type of BC.

    @dubledoresarmy your last sentence is one of the most ridiculous statements I've read on this site thus far. Doctors take an oath to "do no harm" and purposely withholding information in order to promote drug use is a violation of that oath. Not to mention that it's an absolutely baseless assertion, a sweeping generalization, and completely nonsensical. It suggests that you may actually know very little about health care and perhaps ought to learn a bit more before dispensing "medical advice".
  • After I finished BCP in August, I had my period normally with the first cycle at 32 days and second at 28. I am currently on my 3rd cycle so I am not sure what this one will end up at. When I went to my OB, she told me that I can 4 months to go back to "normal". I had only gone on BCP after a surgery to remove a cyst but even before than I had pretty regular periods (once a month).
    BabyFruit Ticker
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