TTC and having hormonal problems since coming off the pill - HELP!

[bluefreckles]

I have been off the pill (Yasmin) since the end of September last year - nearly a year now. Prior to this I have been on the pill (Yasmin for last 6 years and others before that - Cilest, Diannet etc) since I was 16. I am now 30 years old - so a long time.

My fiance and I decided last year that aged 30 and 36 we would come off the pill and without giving it too much thought or pressure we would let nature take its course.

There has been no pregnancy yet which is frustrating enough but what's worst is that since coming off the pill my skin, weight and temperament have suffered considerably.

I reckon I have put on a stone since coming off the pill. I say I reckon because I haven't yet had the guts to get on the scales

My complexion is now horrid. I have overly oily and spotty skin which doesn't improve with any remedies or treatments. I don't even remember having skin like this when I was a teenager.

Add to that my mood has dropped significantly and you'll see why my self-confidence is now at an all-time low.

PLUS - still no pregnancy

Has anyone else gone through this and had a positive outcome?

I actually have an appointment with my female GP this afternoon so I'll be able to update this thread later on and hope to see it through to the, hopefully, shining end!

I'm keen to hear from others in the same TTC/hormonal nightmare...

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I would see if she will arrange for you both to now have some simple investigative tests done. You need blood tests and he needs a semen analysis. Such tests for both of you should be repeated.

Infact your GP may well not do any tests and just instead decide to refer you to a subfertility unit. You are at the point where you should be referred.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost. My guess with your good self is that PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) may be the cause of your problems now. Pills like Dianette in particular have anti androgenic qualities so that would have helped with the skin anyway.

[keepswimming1]

Hi Bluefreckles

I also gained weight in coming off the pill, I came off in May and I weighed last week gaining a total of around 9lbs.
I've started to diet now so hopefully get back to normal.

I also seem to be getting more spots than before... so frustrating. On the plus my sex drive has improved massively :)

Let us know how you get on.

[blamber]

You might have too much testosterone in your blood, which can cause acne and weight gain and problems with mood. Are your cycles regular?

A blood test can show if the level is ok. Hope the GP is helpful! Don't get fobbed off!

[woodwaj]

You sound exactly like me! I came off the pill around the same time I was referred to a gyno last week and was diagnosed with PCOS. Hopefully your appointment went well but I would be wanting them to rule this out for you! Good luck

[bluefreckles]

Hello all

So my Dr was very helpful and took blood to test for any hormonal imbalances (including PCOS) and also for any thyroid problems.

She is on leave now until beginning of October and asked me to return then to talk through the results and discuss next actions.

She suggested in the mean time I try and drop some weight off by cutting out carbs as much as possible.

[bluefreckles]

Atilla I think if my results come back normal we'll investigate further with my other half - thank you

[bluefreckles]

keepswimming - I've put on 1.5 stone

[bluefreckles]

blamber since coming off the pill I've had a period every month and my cycles have varied in length from 29 days to 42 days on one occasion...

[bluefreckles]

woodwaj it's nice to know I'm not the only one! What's your next course of action?

[woodwaj]

I am currently taking norethisterone (I think that's the correct spelling) to force a period on, which I finish tomorrow. I then start on Clomid to release my lazy eggs!! The doctor was really positive and expected me to get pregnant quickly so fingers crossed he is right. I thought I was gaining weigh because I was snacking because I stopped smoking in May last year but this explain my weight gain a bit better and my need for sugar, Luckily i'm not overweight so I can deal with that proactively now.

[bluefreckles]

First day of cutting out carbs gone well. Not a bit of bread, potato, rice or pasta in sight!

TTC not going to be happening this month so as I've just found out that my fiance has to go abroad for work next week for a couple of weeks. Grrr....

[VJONES1985]

I'm surprised your doc advised that as it's unhealthy to cut out carbs - you need them for energy. The best carbs to cut out are white ones (white bread, rice, pasta) but keep eating brown ones.

[blamber]

Cutting out sugar and substituting white for brown/wholemeal like vjones said, in combination with having loads of vegetables seem the best way to go.

[bluefreckles]

blamber and VJONES - I think you're right. We generally eat brown (bread, pasta, rice etc) over white anyway...

[xMrsD]

Hi all

Blue freckles Im in almost exactly same position was on Yasmin for 9 years... Did wonders for my skin and I'm really suffering without it. My hormones are def all over the ahop as in the year since coming off Iv had couple of 35 day cycles then no period for months...except the odd day of spotting here and there. Have seen gynae and been diagnosed as having pcos (symptoms previously masked by pill). Like woodwaj I am now on norethisterone to bring on AF and will then start clomid....really hoping that will kick everything into gear!

Woodwaj I think we will be starting clomid around same time as iv only got a couple days of the norethisterone to go! FC it works first time!

GL everyone!

X

[bluefreckles]

Hello MrsD it's so nice to know there are others to share with that are in the same boat.

FX we all get our positive soon and the side effects we're experiencing subside.

I've got a wee addiction to carrot and cucumber sticks dipped in Asda's morroccon houmous now. My god it's good!

[woodwaj]

Im so glad that someone else has norethisterone mrsD I have finished my course yesterday and waiting for AF, do you know how long it should take to arrive I didn't even think to ask! I got the copy of the letter the doc sent to my GP today and it all reads really positive so im happy.

Also if your having trouble with spots I would really recommend Garnier Exfobrusher (it has little soft bristles on the top) Its expensive for a face wash (around £7.50) but it actually worked for me and I hardly get spots now.

[xMrsD]

All doc told me is that AF should appear within 7 days of stopping it...I used to get AF 2 days after stopping the pill each month so I'm wondering if it might be the same with the norethisterone (?) Really good that your consultant is so positive (yay!) mine was really positive too and kept saying he was def not worried about me getting pregnant so I'm holding on to that and trying not to worry myself!

Will def try that face wash-tbh given how much I hate my skin at the moment £7.50 sounds totally worth it!

[woodwaj]

I was the same 2 days after, so I like that theory! I defo think having a good consultant really helps if they are confident it really gives you a boost. I haven't used the face wash for months was really good!

[j200]

mrs d and woodwaj, what tests did you have to do before you were prescribed norehist and clomid?

I have done blood tests which came back normal (but no progesterone just prolactin,thyroid and LH) and had a transvaginal scan which identified the PCOS. I know my husband will need a sperm test but will I have to have something else before I can get the prescription too? Just fed up of all the waiting, two weeks at least to get an appt then waiting for test results!

[woodwaj]

I had a blood test in April, was told by the doc I was ovulating, Im not a doc but it doesn't take a genius to work out that no AF means no Ov!! I then asked to see another doc after AF still didn't arrive (June then the 9 month mark) He did a sperm test on OH and another blood test on me and referred me then to the gyno (2 month wait) The blood test he did that day confirmed the pcos and I left my first gyno appointment with the prescription! OH sperm excellent !

[j200]

so you didnt have the dye test for blocked tubes? are you being monitored on clomid? just want to know what i should expect! Thankyou!

[woodwaj]

No, Im not having that done. I think that's because I had one natural period in July (prob the only natural one I will get for a year!) and OPKs detected Ovulation he knows I am capable. I also don't think im having a scan as the blood test already confirmed it. He's pretty much left me to it on the clomid he's given me 3 months worth and told me to come for an early scan if I get a BFP!

[j200]

ohhh fingers crossed for you :) x

[woodwaj]

Thank you :) And good luck for you too, I didn't expect to be going away with a possible solution so there is hope :D