Coming off pill....please share your experiences!

[Dollydaydream99]

Hi MN'ers,

I'm new to all this business... Will be hoping to start ttc early next year, few questions I have though ....

1. is it safe to come off pill & immed start ttc (I've been on it solid for about 11 years) or should I have a wait & use other protection for a bit??
   
   
2. how did you feel coming off the pill? I hear horror stories about acne breakouts/weight gain etc. & am concerned as I'm due to be a bridesmaid in march!
   
   Any advice would be much appreciated.... :)
   
   ---------------------
   
   Hi there - this thread is a little old. If you'd like to know more about coming off the pill, we've got some information here. MNHQ

[MoaningMingeWhingesAgain]

i was on microgynon for years. Came off and got pregnant immediately
Twice. start the folic acid before you stop the pill would be my advice.

[Dollydaydream99]

Great, thanks :)

[blueamber]

It is recommended to stop the pill, wait for a period then ttc. It has to do with that the lining on your uterus might not be thick enough after stopping. But then again, many women do get pregnant immediately.

However, there's another issue that is worth considering. Your body might need time to get back to normal. Your hormones can be messed up after stopping, which can mean that either it takes months for your period to come back, or your cycles could be irregular. I didn't think this would be a problem, but I stopped three months ago and still have had no period. This is very frustrating when ttc, so I would recommend stopping a month or three before ttc, because it could prevent much stress.

After stopping, I had a headache for a few days, then I had more spots, but now that has come back to normal. I did not gain any weight, but then again, every one is different.

[Dollydaydream99]

Thanks blueamber, hope you have some luck soon!! Will definitely take on board about what you've said, is there a chance you could still ovulate without having a period? Since I know I've read on here you can have a period without actually ovulating so wondered if it works the other way around too?!

[pxmx]

hi dolly i came off microgynon at xmas was on it for about 11 years also & i started ttc straight away.
The problem i had was that my cycles took a while to get regular my first was 56 days, second was 42 days etc. They have only regulated in the last three cycles and are now between 32 and 34 days. I also found that my pmt was MUCH worse than when i was on the pill! I'm not sure whether this was to do with extra hormones but i was not fun to be around the first few months! Thankfully i'm a little more sane now days so possibly my hormones have regulated themselves again? I agree with blue that it does put extra pressure on when your cycles are a little haywire, if i was starting again i probably would have stopped the pill and waited a couple of months before starting ttc.
Blue i feel for you its so strange all the years dreading af and now all you want is for her to arrive so you can get started properly!! Best of luck to you both :)

[blueamber]

Thanks both.

You can't ovulate without AF showing later unless you're pregnant. I have had several false starts though, got a positive on the ovulation predictor stick once but it still didn't happen.

[DisneyDiva87]

I had no bother, not even much pmt apart from getting a bit weepier and having sore titties.

I did get bad spots again but I think that was due to the evening primrose oil I was taking which I haven't taken this month and my skin is so much better already.

My periods have even been pretty regular (so far!) 28-30 days. I have been on the pill for the last 10 years as well but I have switched types so I don't know if that has helped (was only on the last type,cerazette, for about 6 months.

[mymagaret]

I came off the pill, and and was pregnant within two months. I had absolutely no issues! I was taking Pregnancy vitamins as soon as i stopped taking it (which my midwife was delighted with). Some people have horror stories about pregnancy after the pill, but for us it couldn't have been simpler. Good luck :)

ps. I tried ovulation sticks and they never showed i was ovulating! But i most certainly was as there is definitely a 20 week baby in there!

[scratchandsniff]

It took about 6 months for my cycle to regulate itself and I'm not sure if I was ovulating to start with either. Got pregnant after nearly a year, which is not out of the ordinary.

[Dollydaydream99]

Thanks again all!

Mymagaret - are they folic acid ones or do they contain a bit more! Have always wondered what the best supplements to take are whilst ttc! :)

[Tea1Sugar]

I stopped mercilon on 24th June and my period quickly returned two days ago, after 25 days. I had a few spots on my forehead the first week but sudocrem cleared them up. Im taking seven seas "trying for a baby" as it contains b6 as well as folic acid which is recommended for regulating your cycle

[mymagaret]

It was just a shops own version of Pregnacare, its just an A - Z Pregnancy vitamin. Nothing specific for trying to conceive, i continued to take it until roughly week 12 until i was given the free vitamins prescribed by the NHS by my midwife which I now take.
Once again, Good Luck, that first positive line is so exciting, i took four tests that day just to make sure!

[happypinkpanther]

I stopped in march and my periods went back to normal straight away, though they are much less painful and are lighter and shorter than before the pill or when I was on it (microgynon for 10 years). Ive had no other side effects- I was also worried about putting on weight but nope :). Got midcycle spotting last month, but no BFP. This month got my first +ive with OPK so keeping my fingers crossed :)

[colleysmill]

I stopped in May after being on it about 18 months.

Thought the old body was taking its time to get back to "normal" as nothing was happening - but have tested positive this week.

Massive disadvantage is I have no idea how far along I am - test says 3 weeks + so anything from 5 - 10 weeks maybe. Waiting to hear about a dating scan.

Good luck!