Hello,

I had been on a low-dose birth control pill for 7 years and recently went off of it. I had a period from Dec. 12th - 16th. It has now been over five weeks and I have yet to see my period. I took a pregnancy test yesterday and it was negative. I had completely regular periods before going on the pill. I have been experiencing swollen, tender breasts and cramps on and off. Has anyone else experienced this?

It's not uncommon. I was regular before going on the pill. My first period after stopping the pill came 35 days later...the 2nd 30 days...then pretty much every 27 days. Some women go a few months before getting a period again after stopping the pill. But if you're beginning to get cramps and sore boobs...maybe that's a sign of PMS and your period will be here soon. Good luck!

Thanks. My husband and I really want to start a family. I really wish that health practitioners were more forthcoming with this information. I was never informed that I could have issues with irregularity after going off the pill. I'm beginning to regret going on it in the first place. I'm really freaking out.

So, the good news is that what you are experiencing is totally normal and usually the case for women who quit the pill. It can take from six months to a year to get your REAL period to come back after you quit the pill. I agree with you that they should have been WAY more forthcoming when first prescribing the pill to you instead of OUTRIGHT LYING TO YOU about the fact that it can cause a crapload of side effects both while you're on and then when you try to go off. It's all a big scam.

Personally, I did a ton of research just before quitting the pill to find out what may or may not happen. I really didn't like what I read, at all. It convinced me that the pill is poison, and really quite honestly women should not use it at all. Or any fake hormones for that matter. If you do some research on the net yourself, you'll see what a seriously widespread problem you have, because it happens to so many women when they quit the pill. I've read that for some women it's been 10 months and they still have no sign of their period. It's insanity!

You should probably go visit an endocrinologist to get your hormone levels tested if you still don't have a period after 6 months. You know you're not ovulating if you're not having a period. However, you won't know for sure if you're ovulating just because you have a period. So if you consult with an endo doc, they might at least be able to tell you where you're at with your hormone levels so you can find out how far out of control they are due to pill use.

I'm sorry you are going through this. It's an unfortunate side effect that they should tell their patients about, but NEVER do. I have yet to see a woman come on this board or any of the others I'm on and say that they were told this was a potential complication of having been on hormonal BC.

Thank you so much for all of the advice. I really appreciate it.

Well, the good news is that I got my period this morning. I just hope that my body is able to continue to regulate itself. I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to go back on the pill. What is the best method of birth control other than just condoms?

I use fertility awareness method (FAM). There's a book called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" that you should buy or borrow from the library if you're interested in FAM. Really, there's only about a week of every month (though more practically 3 or 4 days) when a woman is most fertile. You chart your waking basal body temperatures every morning and you can identify when you ovulate based on a jump to higher temperatures (caused by progesterone in the 2nd half of your cycle). You also monitor cervical mucus and cervical position to track your fertility. It involves some work, but not much and it's completely natural. During your fertile time, you either abstain or use a barrier method like condoms. I've really found FAM quite fascinating, and when you're ready to start a family, you will know how to identify the best days of your cycle when trying to conceive. There are some websites online that let you chart basal temps. for free, you can google fertility awareness method and free charting online and find a site to chart. The one I use is really for women trying to conceive, but it suits the purpose, or you can chart in Excel or on paper.

I'm definitely going to get that book, it's been recommended on other websites as well.

I've been tracking my BBT and this is currently day 20 of my cycle and no sign of ovulation yet. I'm hoping it's just late because my body hasn't regulated itself yet. Is it possible to get a normal period after going off the pill and then not get one again for a few months or so?

Yes, I've read on other websites that women have reported having a normal period or two but then nothing for a while and then somewhat back to normal. That does happen.

Thanks so much for your help. I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that my period returns this month and becomes regular again. I ordered that book, I can't wait to read it!

Well, my temperature was even lower this morning. I'm just concerned because I've heard that a woman's periods can be irregular for quite a long time after coming off of the BCP and I want to get pregnant as soon as possible. I had very regular periods before going on the pill and I don't have any medical problems (that I'm aware off). Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Maybe the low temp. is a good sign that your body is gearing up to ovulate? Sometimes I have a dip before ovulation. Have you been having any eggwhite cervical mucus? What are your temps. like? Too low and it could mean you have a thyroid problem. I think "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" mentions that consistent basal body temps. lower than 97 degrees F before ovulation and not higher than 97.5 or so after ovulation could indicate a thyroid issue. However, I did have a dip to 96.77 the day I ovulated last cycle, but all my other pre-O temps were above 97 and post-O above 98.

Have you tried taking Vitex (chaste tree berry or agnus cactus)? I started it just off the pill and noticed it moved up my ovulation quite significantly. I used to ovulate after day 20, the first cycle it moved it to day 17, the next month day 13, and I've been ovulating at day 13 ever since. Many women have success with Vitex spurring on ovulation. It might or might not work for you but it's worth a try. I buy mine from GNC and take 1000 mg daily throughout my cycle, and I'm sure there are also places you can buy it online.

Failing that, if your cycle drags on too long, you can see your doc and get Prometrium to start a period. Have you been checked for PCOS? That can delay ovulation and so can thyroid problems. It might not hurt to at least get your thyroid checked because I know being on the pill can have some effect on your thyroid so it makes since going off it might do the same. Good luck! I hope you ovulate soon!

Hi, I went off of BCP in April 2006 and did not get my period again until November 2006 and haven't gotten it again since... my doctors still say that up to one year is in the normal range after stopping bc, and even after you do get your period it might not be regular again for a while depending on how screwed up your hormones are :(

The lowest BBT I recorded this month was 97.01 and the highest was 97.43. I had my thyroid tested during a physical a few years ago and it was fine. I don't have any other symptoms of PCOS. My CM yesterday and today was creamy, not eggwhite. I'm just wondering how likely it is that I have anything wrong since I did have a normal period within 6 weeks of going off the pill. Is that a positive sign?

I'm going to buy Vitex tonight. Thanks!

Hi, I went off of BCP in April 2006 and did not get my period again until November 2006 and haven't gotten it again since... my doctors still say that up to one year is in the normal range after stopping bc, and even after you do get your period it might not be regular again for a while depending on how screwed up your hormones are :(


That's awful. Maybe you should try Vitex too. I'll let you know if it works for me.

I went to a health food store yesterday and bought Vitex. The owner told me not to take it during my period. She told me to start it after my period ends and then stop it the day I get my period. Does that sound right?

I take 1000 mg of Vitex daily, all through my cycle. If you're TTC, you should stop it if you become pregnant but it is OK to take throughout the LP until you get a pos. on a pregnancy test, in fact, it may help by lengthening the LP. It is fine to start it mid-cycle, I started mid-cycle and think it helped bring on O much quicker. Did you buy the pills or the tincture? I've heard the tincture tastes awful but it works too. The pills aren't that great but I'm sure better than the tincture. I take 2 500 mg pills in the morning. Supposedly, it's best to take it in the morning.

It is actually fine to take Vitex while on your period. It's actually a long-acting herb and is best to build up in your system. It's supposed to work best after 3-6 months, but I did have some success quite quickly and so have others on other boards I've been on. I've had no side effects on it, and I feel it has drastically lessened my cramps during my period and made my PMS moodiness much better. My luteal phase has also been increasing since quitting the pill and I don't know if Vitex is helping it along or it's just time off the pill (maybe both). My LP has gone from 8 days first cycle to 15 days last cycle (increases a day or 2 each cycle). This is great for me since I'm doing FAM to avoid pregnancy--a longer LP means more days for sex without protection :) Vitex moved up my O date from beyond CD 20 to first CD 17 then CD 13.

I bought the pills. The ones the health food store owner recommended to me are 80mg and I've been taking 3 each morning before breakfast for the past two days. She said it is very helpful for women who have stopped taking the BCP.

I am TTC, so I'll make sure to stop taking it if I do get pregnant. Thank you so much for your help!

80 mg is a little low even taking three pills that's only 240 mg/day. Everything I've read suggests Vitex works best at a dose of 800-1000 mg/daily, but maybe you'll have luck with 240 mg. Good luck!

I thought it was a little bit low, but that's the one the owner recommended to me. I think I might go go back and get the the higher dose. Thanks!

I see you are desperate to concieve. Just wanted to tell you my friend's experience. She got pregnant as soon as she stopped the Pill almost but then she had a miscarriage. Afterwards Dr told her that she should have waited for at least 3 months before trying as rate of miscarriages so soon after going off the Pill are really high. So now after about 6 months she is pregnant again and very healthy this time!
I know there has been some talk on other websites that suggest you don't have to wait 3 months but that is for getting pregnant (and you are actually most fertile straight after quitting) but rate of having a successful pregnancy is low.

I'm not really desparate. I'm only 28 and I just got married in May. I'm just concerned about regulating my cycle and hoping that the pill didn't do any long term damage.

I'm just wondering if PCOS is something that can develop over time or would I have had irregular periods prior to going on the pill when I was 20? I've actually gained about 10 pounds since coming off of the pill and I have no idea why.

It's now CD26 and still no sign of ovulation, although I am having a bit of eggwhite CF this morning. I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility on the weekend, it's an amazing book. I have a science degree and majored in biology and I can't believe how much I didn't know about my own reproductive cycle!

I had another question. Other than Vitex, what else can I take to help regulate my cycle and in what doses? I'm already taking Materna (pre-natal vitamin), but thinking of also taking Magnesium, Omega 3-6, Fish oil and Evening Primose Oil. I'm not sure if any of those will interact negatively with each other or what the daily doses of each should be. Does anyone know?

You should get everything you need from pre-natal vitamins. Doubt having too many of them will do you any good?

I picked up an Omega 3-6-9 yesterday. I was going to get Evening Primrose Oil because I read that it can help increase CF production, but the label said not to take it if you were also taking Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex). Does anyone know why?

I take evening primrose oil with Vitex and never had a problem, and I know a lot of women take them together. But if you're taking Omega 3-6-9 the EPO would probably be an overkill. EPO is rich in Omega 6, which is what helps your body. You can also try adding a balanced B vitamin complex. For example, I take a B-50 complex. It should be OK on top of the prenatal vitamins, just be sure you keep vitamin B6 consumption below 200 mg a day; it is dangerous in high doses. Beware that the B vitamins will probably turn your urine bright yellow; this is a normal side effect since most (though not all) excess B vitamins are execreted in the urine. Some women have noticed B vitamins helping with their O and length of the luteal phase.

If your lack of period goes on too long (usually it's 90 days or more of no period), you can see a doc and they can help jumpstart a period by giving you Provera or Prometrium (hormones again, unfortunately).

Other things that are said to help increase fertile cervical fluid are drinking plenty of water daily, cutting down caffeine, drinking 1-2 cups of green tea daily (but not more than that because it can interfere with absorbance of folic acid), and eating baby carrots (something about the beta carotene they contain I believe).

I finally ovulated! Looks like it was CD28. Hope it doesn't take so long next time! Thanks everyone for all of your help! :)

I have been on the pill for over fifteen years and recently stopped. I have not had a period in two months and have absolutely no sex drive - has this happened to anyone else?????

hi everyone...just wanted to share my annoying story about going off bc because i think it might make some people feel better...

i was on yasmin for about three years before going off in june. i didnt get my period for 9 whole months and i was really starting to freak out. i tried everything...red raspberry tea leaf, vitex, etc. i really didnt want to use provera...which my doctor gave me a prescription for...so i was holding off. anyway, after 9 months my period just came back naturally. so there is hope for things to go back to normal...you just have to wait for a while sonmetimes!

Hi
I am getting off the pill this month so I am glad I have a heads up about not getting a period. Did anyone have problems with hair loss or acne? I have heard these can be major problems. I have been on the pill for so long I am very nervous!

i broke out for a little while in the first few months, which was annoying...but i lost a quick five pounds. so that was awesome haha...i dont think i will ever go back on bc.

Hey I am thinking of going off the birth control pill. I have been on Alesse for 5 years. I want to give my body a rest, and so when my fiance and I plan to start a family it will be easier. I am just wondering if anyone has some websites with good information, that I could read up on. That would be very helpful. It is also great to know that when I stop the pill I may not have a period, this way I don't freak out.

If you think the B complex is causing you numbness, I'd just stop taking it and see if you feel better. I have not had that result from the B-complex though I take a smaller complex, a B50 complex. I did find it was better for me to take the time-released complex versus the regular one (stomach upset with the regular). Definitely stop it and see if your situation improves. Maybe see a doctor?

Hello!

I had been on the birth control pill for 11 years. First and for the longest period of time Ortho-Cyclen, then Seasonale, and finally Yaz for just one month. I have continuously had different problems with different pills, hence the switching. I got sick and tired of all my side effects and finally went off the birth control pill in Sept. '07. Since then I have not had a regular period or any period for that matter. I figured that after all of the years being on the pill that it could take some time for me to get a period, never did I think that it would take this long. Earlier this month I had a appt. with my gyno and she confirmed that it could take a few months to get back to normal. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing intense cramping and backache way beyond my normal symptoms, this has been daily for about a month and a half now and is getting worse. I'm hoping that the fact that its getting worse is a sign that my period is soon to follow, so right now I'm waiting. If something doesn't change soon I will go back to my gyno who told me that there is something that she can prescribe to help me get my period, this is my last resort.

Ugh. I'm in the same boat. I stopped the pill back in March, and I haven't had a period since. I think I'm on day 47, and it's very frustrating as DH and I would like to try to conceive. I'm 31, and he's 35. I've thought of calling my doctor, but I haven't yet. Should I? I've also heard the book many of you have referenced. A friend of mine also recommended it. Perhaps I'll see if it's at the library.

So, am I not ovulating b/c I haven't had a period? Is there a way to know?

I went on dianette when I was 15 for my skin and was on it for nearly 8 years, came off it last October 07 (was turning 23). I still haven't had a period & its May 08.. 6 months on. (I thought I had a one day bleed in Jan, it was brown in colour, sorry about been so descriptive). Before I went on dianette I never really had a period. My doc says to wait another month or two, but my skin is getting bad & want to try Roaccuntane, which will mean I will have to go back on the pill (or could I try another form of contraception).

So depressed about my skin & periods
Help!