Off of BCP and My Body is Freaking Out!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Off of BCP and My Body is Freaking Out!
5
Tue, 06-08-2004 - 5:29pm
My husband and I are TTC #1. MY LMP was 3/31 when I went off BCP after being on it for 10+ years. I have not had a period since. I have taken 7 HPTs since then all different kinds - all negative. I called my doctor who told me just to relax and let nature take it's course (she claims the lack of menses can be normal after going off of BCP). In the meantime my breasts have gotten larger, I am constantly bloated and I have had cramps on and off for the last two months. Has anyone else had their body totally freak out after stopping BCP? I am very confused and trying to be patient but lets face it I can't get this off of my mind.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2004
Tue, 06-08-2004 - 9:52pm
Yes,

I am having the same thing happen to me. I've been on the pill for 4 years. My LMP was 3/28. I had taken a trip and wasn't able to get a new prescription until my husband and I came back into town. Which was three days later..so I said I would just wait until my next cycle to start the new pack. But to my surprise my cycle never showed up. I took three tests and all negative. I finally decided to see the GYNO and had to wait two weeks for an appt. (which is tomorrow) I haven't taken a test in two weeks, I have had the bloating, and larger heavier breast. Don't think I am pregnant..guess we will find out tomorrow.

I know stress can also be a factor...but I am very happy at this stage in my life..no stress..not even from work.

Does anyone know what else can cause this?
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 9:26am
I cant answer that, but just wanted to ask you if you could let everyone know what your dr says tomorrow. I am sure there will be lots anxiously awaiting!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2004
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 5:13pm
Well Ladies..

The verdict is in and....Nope not pregnant. The first thing the nurse said to me when I walked in and told her the date of my LMP was "Girl..you are pregnant!"

I tried not to give her a grim look when I finally finished my exam with my doctor.

They did a simple urine test that came back negative and everything else seemed fine. He explained to me like kfallen2003s doctor told her...(lack of menses can be normal after going off of BC)

So I will be starting my new pack of BC on Sunday...and back to normal(I guess). I just got remarried with two kids from a previous marriage and my new husband has a son, the oldest child will be 10..so hopefully we will try for a baby within the next year or two.

kfallen2003--

Keep trying..leave it in Gods hands and everything will be okay. Best Wishes!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 1:41pm
Thank you so much for following up with us. I really appreciate your willingness to be so open about your experience at the doctor. I am glad to hear that your doctor told you the same thing that mine told me. Best wishes to you and thanks again!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2004
Thu, 06-10-2004 - 7:04pm
I'm sorry that you are all experiencing such hard times with your cessation of oral contraceptive use. I am a graduate nurse (that means I just finnished school and haven't taken my boards yet) and I can offer an explaination for your experiences. Birth control pills contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone in varying amounts (depending upon what brand of pill you are taking) and they work to prevent pregnancy by putting into your body the hormones that would be present in pregnancy. This tricks the body into thinking its pregnant & then it doesn't allow fertilized eggs to imbed into the uterus and grow a fetus, some pills can even decrease ovulation. The important fact in this is that you are adding hormones to your body...so when you stop taking the pill, your body has to react and adjust to a drastic decrease in hormone levels. In reaction to the higher level of hormones in oral contraceptives, the body will decrease its own hormone production because it feels you already have enough. It will take time for your body to readjust itself to the balance you had before taking the pills. Your body may initially react to the lack of hormones by producing too much estrogen as compensation or it may be very slow in coming back with normal production and you may have levels that are too low for 1-3 months. Either of these scenarios can produce exagerated effects on the body...bloating, mood swings, loss of mestruation, breast swelling and tenderness. It is a miserable thing to go through, but rest assured it is perfectly natural.

How you proceed and treat these symptoms depends upon your reasons for stopping the pill. If you are trying to get pregnant then unfortunately its something you are going to have to wait out. You can help your situation by treating the symptoms...for example, decrease your salt and caffeine intake to help decrease bloating and water retention. Proper nutrition, hydration and vitamin intake with help with moods, cramping and bloating a bit too. I would recommend definitely contacting your doctor's office with any and all concerns...thats why they are there. Most offices have a nurse line that you can call to get questions answered. Do not hesitate to call if you feel concern...better safe than sorry! If you do not wish to get pregnant, do not count on the idea that it usually takes a few months to get back onto a regular cycle after being on the pill for a while. A few missed pills can result in pregnancy so use backup methods like condoms and spermacides.

I hope this has helped you to understand and to feel better about your situation. The over the counter tests you take (first response, clear blue easy) are the same ones that are used at the doctor's offices. Check the expiration date on it. If they show up negative using the first urine of the morning then you can pretty much rely on that. If you still don't believe it then call your doctor to have a blood test done. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!