Regularity of Periods After Coming Off the Pill

emjem_3

Hi guys.

I stopped taking the pill 7 months ago as we decided to try and start a family. I have been making a note of my cycle but it's all over the place.
Having been on the pill for some 16/17 years I can't exactly remember what my cycle was like before I took the pill - but I think it was fairly regular and I didn't have any major issues.

My cycle is lasting anything from 30 - 38 days (and counting) at the moment! How long after taking the pill did your period "settle down?"

Thanks!

sara1980

emjem wrote: »

Hi guys.

My cycle is lasting anything from 30 - 38 days (and counting) at the moment!

Thanks!

U sure your familt hasn't already started :rolleyes:

I came off the pill after suffering a miscarriage in 2003, as far as i can remember my cycle was fine. Somes months maybe 35 days but then my period would last for 7 days aswell :mad:

HTH Sara

emjem_3

Aaaah unfortunately not sara1980 as did a test on Saturday and alas I only mangaged the one blue line (and it was one of the ones which you can test 4 days early).
My periods aren't heavy and last about 5 days.

honeypop

I returned to a 28 day cycle from the first month coming off the pill, just like it was before 11 years on the pill. I dicussed it with my doctor before stopping it due to wanting to start a family and I was told if my cycles hadn't become regular by 6 months at the latest, to go back and see him to try and find out why.

I know it can naturally take longer than 6 months though, as many people will probably tell you, but have you seen or considered seeing your GP about it?

mountainlioness

I don't have any personal experience (yet!) but one of my friends came off in May 2006 and had one period before she discovered she was pregnant a year later! She had been in despair that her cycle hadn't got going again but she had ovulated anyway... so I would say don't get too worried, it could take up to a year. She got terribly stressed about it, which I don't think helped, so if you can avoid that am sure you'll be back to being regular soon.

jo1967

When I came off the pill to start my family I went straight back to a 6 week cycle which I was before the pill. I had always had this length of cycle & was told it is normal as cycles run 21 - 40 odd days.

A year ago I cam off the pill as hubby had been "sorted" :rotfl: (!!) & my cycle now ranges 23 - 28 days - how I long for the 6 week cycle of my youth!!!!! :rolleyes:

Anyway - dont panic & good luck! :rotfl:

minskerella

I think it depends on how regular your cycles are naturally cos everybody is different and after so long you prob can't remember. After 11 years on the pill my cycles were pretty scatty - from 24 days through to about 36, but I always reckoned i ovulated about 12 days before my due date. Have you tried tracking this? I got pregnant quite quickly and the fact my periods weren't always the same didn't seem to matter. Just makes it harder to know when to do it!!

frivolous_fay

My cycle was always pretty regular. I came off the pill last month after 12 years on it... wanted to be a bit more in touch with things, as I felt like I had no clue about my cycle any more and wanted a bit more control. I'm charting my waking temperatures and various other stuff, I'm finding it fascinating. (And I'm not trying to get pregnant, and yes I am being careful!)

I anticipated my hormones and periods being all over the place for a while - the site I go to says it takes about 3 months for the pill to get out of your system completely. That said, things do appear to be more or less predictable, and joy of joys, got my first 'normal' period today.

Are you taking your temperature first thing in the morning? It can be a good indicator of what's going on, PM me if you want some advice

keelykat

This should be in health really....

I came off the pill a year ago, and suprisingly they were regular straight away (def weren't before going on it, one reason why i took it start with!)

If you've been on it a long time-they probably may take a while to settle down, one reason why i don't/wouldnt want to reply on the pill long term.

Good luck!

keely.

emjem_3

Thank you for all your replies.

Honeypop - I think it is probably time for us to see a Doctor and discuss this, although will they just say I have to wait for 12 months of TTC before they will refer us? At 32 my clock's a ticking!

Minskerella -I used an ovulator predictor kit this month but to no avail. Because my period is quite erratic I followed the instructions and began testing using the dates of my shortest cycle. I carried on testing using the dates of my longest cycle. Two boxes of tests later I still didn't have the magical two lines to that show I was ovulating!

Frivolous_fay - you sound very well organised, have you thought about a medical career?! I haven't considered taking my temperature as what with ovulating kits, using Preseed and jumping on my husband at certain times of the month it starts to become more 'mechanical' than a natural thing. My poor husband is starting to feel used. Taking my temp would probably give me more to worry about and you guys are right - I need to relax a bit!

I just wish my period would turn up on time or stop completely because I'm pregnant! Oh if life were only that easy!

LJM

i was on the pill for about the same time as you emjem,but i concieved my first in matter of couple months.but our second daughter took 6 months to concieve and i didnt go back on the pill ,so i think its diff for everyone.