Going off bcp and having regular AFs

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Going off bcp and having regular AFs
10
Wed, 08-20-2003 - 8:53pm
Okay ladies, looking for some wisdom...

I went off bcp in June because DH and I decided we wanted to try for #3. Went off mid-pack. 3 days later, have a very short AF, 3 days, somewhat normal flow for me.

In July, swore I was pg, but got AF again. 3 days long with not much more than spotting here or there. Took blood tests, came back negative.

It's now August. Charted, used OPK's and DH and I bd that day after FF said I O'd (he was gone and that was the closest to Oing that we could get) I have been having several symptoms, tender bbs, blue veins popping up out of nowhere on bbs, constipation (TMI, haven't had a BM for like 4 days), and have been tired alot. Right now, I'm 13 dpo.

On 10 dpo, I began spotting. It's pretty much stopped today. Really only spotted when I was vertical, standing. If I was sitting or laying down, nothing.

Here's my questions now:

1. After bcp, how long does it usually take to have normal periods (talking about flow)?

2. Should I consider this AF or possible IM?

3. What is your overall opinion.

Here is my chart:

http://circles2.fertilityfriend.com/home/2b30a


Thanks for any help, encouragement, and opinions,

Erika

Erika

mom to Michael, Allison, Alexander and

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Wed, 08-20-2003 - 9:27pm
Erika-

I am going through the exact same thing. I was on bcp's for 11 years. Prior to bcp my cycles were very regular (about every 30 days). Went off bcp in the beginning of June (waited to the end of the pack). Got AF for 5 days (normal). 28 days later(July 8th)got slight spotting for only 1 day. 16 days after that (July 24)got AF again (normal flow, 6 days). 16 days after that (Aug 8)got slight spotting again for 2 days. No signs of AF since then. I did OPKs in mid-July, early Aug, & again now...and so far all of them have been negative, so I don't think I'm even O-ing!!! I keep telling DH that I'm "broken". BBT charts & CM have been erratic with no clear pattern. I wish I would just regulate already, so I can figure out what the heck my body is doing! It's so frustrating. I'm sure you feel the same way.

My OB/GYN & everything I've read on the web says that it takes an average of 2 months for your cycles to return to normal after stopping bcp. But so far it's been almost 2 1/2 months for me & I'm still screwed up! I'm wondering if maybe the longer you were on bcp, the longer it takes to get back to normal?

It's hard to tell what is going on with you based on your symptoms. I've heard that IM spotting will occur around the same time that your next AF would have been due (around 14 dpo), so it's sometimes hard to distinguish. If you had IM spotting during your previous pg's, it sounds like you might be pg again. Also, given the symptoms that you're having, I would say it's worth doing a home pg test.

I wish you all the best. If you would like to chat more about all of this confusing stuff, please feel free to e-mail me directly (MIDNTGYPSY@aol.com)

-Judy

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Wed, 08-20-2003 - 9:35pm
Thank you Judy for your response. It's a very frustrating situation. I think I would be better off at least knowing that I haven't O'd, but I know I did, so the possibility is out there that I could be pg.

Hopefully your body will straighten out and you'll have normal cycles again. I never had a problem with this kinda stuff before bcp. Got pg in the first month trying for both of my kids. Now it's a bit harder, and possibly facing a short luteal phase (if this is AF, and not IB).

It's so confusing and I just feel like quitting. The only thing that is keeping me going is knowing how great it is to be pg and holding that baby for the first time, seeing it's chubby cheeks and hearing it's cries. I thought I was done after 2, but now I'm so anxious to have 3.

If this isn't my month, then I have to wait unti next year, that really SUCKS!!!!

Erika

Erika

mom to Michael, Allison, Alexander and

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Wed, 08-20-2003 - 9:46pm
Erika-

Why do you need to wait again until next year?

I too would love to know the feeling of having a + HPT, and holding a newborn baby...I turn 30 this year & am TTC #1....tick, tock, tick, tock!

I think you should take the HPT. I've heard of people still doing ok despite somewhat short luteal phases.

-Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Thu, 08-21-2003 - 3:08pm
Still just wondering how long it took for normal AF flow to return after AF. I put in a call to my doctor, but haven't heard back from her yet.

Erika

Erika

mom to Michael, Allison, Alexander and

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
Thu, 08-21-2003 - 3:29pm
It's really different for everyone. I actually had very normal cycles for the first 6 months that I was off BCP, and then everything went haywire. Some other women take several months before they feel like they're normal. I'm afraid there isn't a real standard out there, though I think a lot of people throw out "wait for 3-4 months" advice.

Good luck to you!

Tami

TTC#1 since 8/02

CC1 CD21 5DPO

Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2003
Thu, 08-21-2003 - 8:01pm
I took bcp for 11yrs and have been off for 14months ttc and am still waiting for my AF to be normal. My Dr. doesn't seem to think the bcp has anything to do with me not being pg yet because its such a low dosage. What does anyone else think?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2003
Thu, 08-21-2003 - 10:57pm
I understand everyones frustration about going of bcp and becoming regular - prior to going on bcp i was anything but regular, one month 30 days, the next 3 months etc, so the doctor decided to put me on bcp to "regulate" me, now after being on them for 7 years, my DH and I have decided we are ready for a child, and I stopped taking the pills. 44 days later my AF still hasn't arrived, my chart (this cycle being the 1st ive ever charted) is all over the place, Im not pregnant - did HPT and got a BFN, and I dont know when AF will arrive so we can start trying next cycle. - I just want to scream.

I dont think the doctors understand exactly how the reproductive system works and what the long term effects of the BCP are. I have been to doctors who still believe everyone has a 28 day cycle and that O occurs only on day 14 - I finally started seeing a Natropath/Homeopath 6 weeks ago and he is fantastic.

Anyway - enough ranting for me just felt like I need to let off steam - thanks, and sorry for butting in.

Stacey

ps - I belive that the bcp can effect you after, as when you go off your body doesnt know where to get the hormones from and has to work out how to produce them by itself again. (just my opinion.)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Fri, 08-22-2003 - 7:54am
What is your homeopath guy doing for you? Any herbs or something that you can recommend to me to help balance out my system. Since DH is gone and will be for awhile (Navy), I have time to work out my kinks now.

Erika

Erika

mom to Michael, Allison, Alexander and

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
Fri, 08-22-2003 - 8:36am


Hi! I too have had odd cycles after BCP, with a shorter luteal phase. Unfortunately, based on your chart, this may not be the month since your temps are back down now. I would probably still test to make sure though. I find that I don't really believe that I am NOT PG each month until I do take a test. This is my 6th cycle now and have only not tested one month! I am so sorry that maybe this wasn't the month, but remember, it ain't over til AF shows. If you never get real AF, I would definitely test!

Good Luck!

Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-22-2003 - 9:53am
I have been going through the same thing ... stopped bc pills in June too ... Dr. said it may be thyroid issues but wants to wait 6 months to do tests if I am not pregnant by then.

Sorry, that probably doesn't help ...

Yvonne