Question about my periods, post-Pill

[Chan1976]

Hi everyone! DH and I have decided to start TTC in a few months' time, so I thought I'll join you ladies over here.

I have a question about my periods.. my periods were like clockwork before I went on the Pill (they came every 28 days and lasted for 7 days), but after I got off the Pill (I took it for 1.5 years) around the beginning of this year (we switched to condoms), it took about 2 months for me to regain my period. After that, I had spotting twice a month for another 2 months before I started having more normal bleeding.

Even though my periods are now coming every 28 days again, I still sometimes get brownish, really light periods (more like spotting), as opposed to "normal" periods with red blood flow (It's about a 2:1 ratio of normal vs light).

I think I am ovulating every month, (I check for the egg-whitish, stretchy discharge), but I am concerned about my periods not being completely back to my pre-Pill days after so many months off the Pill.

Did anyone go through something similar? I will really like some advice on this.

 

[Catholic Wife]

Welcome!

First, see if your doctor will check all your hormone levels throughout your cycle.
Second, how do you feel about "traditional" medicine?

 

[Chan1976]

Welcome!

First, see if your doctor will check all your hormone levels throughout your cycle.
Second, how do you feel about "traditional" medicine?

Thanks for the welcome CW.

1) I am thinking about making an appointment to check my hormone levels if my period is still wacky this month.

2. I have no problems with traditional medicine at all, and will appreciate any recommendations.

I wish I knew how the pill would screw up my body before I started taking them.. all the research I read said that it would not have any long term effects on my body, but it's been so long.

 

[Leanna]

I think you need to take basal body temperatures to check for a true ovulation. Use fertilityfriend.com. That will tell you a great deal!

I did use the pill for 4 years pre-kids, no problems with fertility here though I have heard of it happening.

 

[Catholic Wife]

I wish I knew how the pill would screw up my body before I started taking them.. all the research I read said that it would not have any long term effects on my body, but it's been so long.

All I can say is that this is probably one of the biggest lies told to women today - that hormonal birth control does nothing to you. It messes with quite a few women's cycles. I agree with Leanna about checking BBT and charting. Fertility Friend is easy to use and it's free. If you don't mind traditional medicine, read The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, especially if you don't conceive in six months. You might also consider going to an acupuncturist and/or herbalist if things don't get back to "normal".

 

[Chan1976]

I think you need to take basal body temperatures to check for a true ovulation. Use fertilityfriend.com. That will tell you a great deal!

I did use the pill for 4 years pre-kids, no problems with fertility here though I have heard of it happening.

Thanks for the link! I tried to chart a while back but just couldn't keep up with taking basal body temperatures every morning.. I really should get back to it.

All I can say is that this is probably one of the biggest lies told to women today - that hormonal birth control does nothing to you. It messes with quite a few women's cycles. I agree with Leanna about checking BBT and charting. Fertility Friend is easy to use and it's free. If you don't mind traditional medicine, read The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis, especially if you don't conceive in six months. You might also consider going to an acupuncturist and/or herbalist if things don't get back to "normal".

Thanks for the book recommendation.. I will check it out on Amazon. My mom has a friend who specializes in homeopathic medicine and she's going to pass me some remedies to regulate my periods.. I think I will give this a try.

 

[Catholic Wife]

Temping can be a pain - especially if you're one of the women whose temps are affected by every little thing - but it's the best way to know for sure if you've actually ovulated or not. Luckily, as long as I've gotten a couple of hours of sleep and the room temperature isn't too hot or cold, my temps are pretty consistent. Actually, my BBT is affected by what I eat the night before more than anything else.

 

[Leanna]

Definitely do it! Stretchy mucus alone isn't a guarantee of ovulation.

 

[beehoney]

I think the concensus is that it can take several months for your cycles to return to normal after discontinuing a hormonal contraceptive but there should be no long term effects on fertility. I think your best bet would be to check with your doctor if you think your cycles are abnormal.

 

[Chan1976]

I'm trying to take my temperature every morning, but I've been sleeping pretty badly these couple of days (a result of napping after I get off work, and then not being able to sleep at night), so I'm guessing the measurements won't be very accurate. I'm still trying though. Thanks for all the replies!