Coming off BCPs for IVF, cramping hard

KLake42 · December 2015

So is this normal?

I had a natural cycle, then AF arrived, and I started BCPs the next day. I had three weeks of BCPs, then came off them three days ago.

I'm bleeding lightly, though I understand its breakthrough bleeding and not a true period. I'm having really heavy cramps, though, like a heavy period.

Are the cramps normal? I feel like this is a dumb question, but y'all must know.

Ultrasound was good, and estrogen level is good. I start stimming tomorrow. I worry about side effects from the injections, but I thought I'd at least start out feeling normal.

Piperella · December 2015

I did have some cramps, but not as heavy as what you are describing. I did end up having an actual period after stopping the BCPs before starting stims for IVF. I had 2 days of spotting and then a legit period for 2-3 days. My lining was pretty thick though. Did you have a lining of 8+? Fx that the cramping goes away for you soon. It's no fun.

babyexpress · December 2015

I'm in the middle of the same thing. I was warned that I would have some spotting, but I stopped BC on Saturday and have had to use 3 tampons a day for the last 2 days because of the heavy bleeding. Far from spotting in my opinion. The cramping is the same as it would be during my normal menstrual cycle. Not fun. I start swims for IVF tomorrow.

KLake42 · December 2015

Thanks y'all! @Piperella, my lining this morning was actually pretty thin, so hopefully I don't have much left to bleed.

@babyexpress, I hope your cramping eases! I think I noticed in another thread that we're cycle buddies. Surely the cramps will at last go away by the time we start feeling anything from the stims!

babyexpress · December 2015

I hope so. Mine was worse yesterday than today, so hopefully tomorrow will be even better.

oxinfree · December 2015

@KLake42 I went through a really bad spell after coming off BCP years ago, where my cramping was insane. Like on the bathroom floor in a ball insane. They even looked at Endometriosis as a possible cause since it was so bad. It's finally leveled out for me, but I think the BCP actually just normalized my hormones and once I didn't have them, my body didn't really know what to do on its own. I used a lot of heating pads, and painkillers before finding a correlation with my diet. Not necessarily what's going on with you, but just thought I'd mention in case. Once I eliminated gluten/wheat, all of my cramping ceased and is now generally very mild or non-existent. That being said... could have also just been the passage of time that helped. Who the heck knows

knklein10 · January 2016

I just stopped my BCP on January 3rd in preparation of my first IVF cycle and I had horrendous cramps and pretty heavy BTB for about the last seven days being on the pill. I am still bleeding, although no longer cramping or feeling nearly as horrible as I did while on BCP. I have no idea if this is my "period" now, though because I have been bleeding for what seems like forever... I hope everything worked out for you!

I actually am starting a repeat pregnancy loss and IVF blog and would love for you to check it out. My goal is to start a little community of women who are experiencing these similar struggles through this blog: ThreeLittleBeans.com

Positive vibes headed your way!
Kelly

KLake42 · January 2016

Thanks-- I at least stopped bleeding after 5 days!

babyexpress · January 2016

I stopped bleeding after about 3 days and then had some slight spotting for 2 more days. The bleeding felt like full blown AF in the beginning though.

@KLake42 how are you feeling today? I was feeling pretty good until about 2 nights ago. My cramps are really bad now. My RE said it is normal and I have expected it, but DANG it is bad. Tonight is the worst so far. I took 2 extra strength tylenols lastnight and tonight. It barely touches the surface though.

KLake42 · January 2016

@babyexpress, my cramps have eased up, and I'm just really bloated. I can feel twitchiness and tingling around my ovaries, sometimes small cramps, but nothing like the cramps I had before.

I'm sorry you're feeling so rough!

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