Light periods after stopping pill

Hi all, just a bit of an update. I've been trying flax seeds for the past month - one teaspoon most days, just mixing it in with my rice and other foods where possible. I've also been taking evening primrose oil, vitamin E and a multivitamin with iron supplement.

I've also focused more on my diet and been running 3 times a week.

My period started yesterday - my cycle was longer (been averaging 25-26 days since coming off the pill but this month it was 28). And although only on second day, my flow seems to be noticeably heavier. Still light and not as heavy as it used to be, but a lot better than it has been.

Not sure what's impacted it or whether it's a coincidence, but I'll continue with the flax seeds and supplements and see how I go!

Hi all

ive been off my BC since October and my periods have been so light. Spotting for a few days, mostly red but not needing a pad and then a day and a half needing a pad but only light bleeding.

I’m so worried it’s because I have a thin lining and TTC is futile.

im 32 and my partner is 34 so the doctor won’t see us until 12 months (because he’s not yet 35 🙄)

wishing baby dust for you all!

Hello all,

I thought I would also share my experience of this. I stopped taking the pill in April last year, I had been on it for 10 years before this. My periods came back straight away in the May and have been regular ever since (25-27 day cycles however so a bit short). My concern is how light my periods are. I'm probably getting bright red blood for around 24 hours, however this isn't even enough for a tampon, mainly just when I wipe then I'll get a small amount on a pad, however I probably could get away without wearing one. Then the following 24 hours is just brown discharge. I'm only 29 so worried this isn't normal.

I'm not at the point of TTC yet as we're in the process of buying a house first and have our wedding later this year. I suppose I just wanted to share my experience, I'm going to try and help this with diet and lifestyle first before seeing a doctor, however if anyone had any tips then please let me know x

@LifeOfRiley63 Hello! What you have described here is my situation exactly!! Even down to the 16 months ttc. Please can you tell me if you got help/what happened? I’d really appreciate it xxxxx

X

Hi all,

I’m new here and I realise this thread is getting older and older. However I wanted to post as reading about everyone’s journeys has really given me some hope and great information about light periods after coming off BC (which is non-existent online) so thanks everyone for sharing.

I was on the implant for 3 years and then a progesterone only pill for about 1.5 years (so not that long really). I stopped taking the pill in January (about 9 months ago) and since then my periods have been light only lasting about two days. Over the past few months I’ve been having spotting 2-4 days before period, but this month it was 6 days before! Ofc I got my hopes up for implantation bleeding given the timeframe haha. can’t remember if I’ve had the spotting since coming off pill but it feels like it’s started since TTC? Who knows. Anyway it’s great to hear that it’s something that can regulate over time. We have only been TTC for 4 months but my anxiety has been through the roof. Hoping I can relax a bit now and see what happens.

@Hughesy91 I have also been finding it distressing and lonely as none of my friends are at the stage of wanting children yet. I hope everything went okay with the appointment you had scheduled. Would love to hear about it.

Hi all

I'm still TTC 6 months later, 10 months in total. If anyone is still part of that FB group or is having problems, please feel free to message. I've found this thread a massive source of comfort over the last 6 months and I got so invested in everyone's individual stories (congratulations to those that conceived!)

I got a private scan in May which showed a 5mm lining around ovulation, so thin. I had an ultrasound for an unrelated issue and mentioned TTC. She told me my lining was 8mm on CD28 (I got my period the next day) which sounds thick but not when ovulation has long since past (I ovulate around CD12/13). She saw a follicle which was good. My husbands tests all came back as excellent.

I've got a progesterone test booked next week then I will get referred to my local NHS fertility clinic (I told them I'd been trying for one year), which is good because I'm sick of being dismissed by GP's.

I also did a thyroid test and my hormones were good but I had high TPO antibodies which are linked to infertility (and miscarriage though I've never been pregnant) so I am on a gluten free diet and taking selenium to try and reduce them.

I've found TTC incredibly distressing, depressing and lonely. So feel free to reach out if you are struggling too.

@Dinosaurus86 @Desperateforababa

Thank you both for replying so quickly!

It is reassuring to hear about other people's experiences.

I was on the pill for 14 years. I did briefly come off last year then went back on and I think that made things worse.

I also did a 21 day progesterone test and my levels were low which might explain the spotting.

I think I'll give it 3-4 more months then go to the doctor. I can't believe I expected to get pregnant straight away 😂

Aw I'm sorry to hear this - it is super stressful! It took us 8 months in the end and what I have learnt from various pregnancy groups is how normal this was and how very lucky we were actually. It took 10 months or so for my periods to start getting a bit more normal after pill. I was so worried that I had some scans which showed thin lining but it didn't stop us getting pregnant. I think often if you look for a problem, you'll probably find something that is a bit off average but most people don't because of the 1 year wait. If I were to give myself the same advice again, I would say be patient, your body is still recovering after being on the pill and it will happen. I do regret spending money on private checks now that I know how normal waiting a bit longer is. Easier said than done but hold tight - most people do get there without help and for those that need it, the odds are very good.

Hi @Hughesy91, I think the Facebook group is still going but is a bit quiet now. For me, it took about 6 months for my period to return after stopping the pill, and probably another 6 months for them to regulate (fortunately I was not TTC at that point). It is a long wait but things may still be normal for you. My problem then was that they remained light and I also had spotting a few days before. Turned out I had a polyp and removing that solved the problem.

If you are still quite young then it may be that waiting a bit longer will do the trick. How long were you on the pill for?

Otherwise, when I was TTC with these problems and nothing happened after ~6 months, I had a gut feeling something wasn’t right and paid privately (not easily but I don’t regret it, as I suspect I’d still be waiting if on the nhs).

Hi all - I know this thread is getting older now but I'm in the same position. I came off the pill 5 months ago. I had a four day withdrawal bleed then I've had 1-2 day light periods since and no luck TTC.
I've been spotting the 4 days before mu period and now I've been on this period will be even lighter than usual.
Is the Facebook group still going? I'm finding this really difficult to deal with already knowing I won't get GP support for another 7 months at least.
Congratulations to those who got their babies and baby dust to those still trying 💗

@Desperateforababa that's such wonderful news, congratulations! And thank you for sharing on here - you're right that light periods/thin lining don't necessarily mean you can't get pregnant, and I'm sure your story will bring hope to lots of women!

In case anyone ever comes across this issue and wants some hope, I had extremely light periods for 11 months after coming off the pill. They were slightly slightly heavier towards the end but still really only one proper day of bleeding and two three days of brown spotting. When I had scans, they confirmed that my lining got to about 5.8mm on ovulation. However, my research showed that there isn't really any clear evidence as to what thickness is needed in natural conception (mostly research is focused on IVF cycles and this is extrapolated) and many many women get pregnant with light periods. It took us 8 months (which might be down to light periods or sheer roll of the dice) but we have just had our BFP. So please don't waste months panicking like I did!

Hi @Desperateforababa , I'm so sorry you've been having similar issues... Of course, I'll send you a private message with details about the Facebook group.
With regards to going straight to IVF or not, that's a really difficult one and a very personal choice... Some women do get pregnant with thin lining (might just take a little longer) so in that respect 7 months isn't very long to have been trying (don't hate me for saying that - I know it will feel like forever!) - so it definitely could still happen for you naturally... But if you're really struggling with the wait (I found it impossible...) of course you could move things along. There's also other things you could try before IVF - I tried a protocol using the drugs they give for ivf to stimulate ovaries but at a much lower dose, just within a natural cycle, and it was actually quite successful at thickening my lining. I didn't get pregnant but then it's never 100% successful even when there are no issues so hard to say from that one cycle... I was supposed to do a few cycles of that but then everything shut for covid, so in the end we went straight to ivf when things finally reopened.
Anyway, sorry for the ramble! I'll message you about the group 😊

Hi all

Could I please be added to the private group too? I’ve been TTC for 7 months (off pill for 10 months) and as I was concerned about the light periods, have had some scans which should lining 5-6mm around ovulation so pretty thin. Tried some low dose oestrogen and that only helped marginally - they didn’t give me much so as to not prevent ovulation. Wondering whether there’s much point continuing to try naturally or whether we should go straight to IVF given the circumstances. Would love to hear about peoples success stories and general views and thoughts? @Hope365 - your experience has been a completely life saver as it reassured me I wasn’t going crazy and there was likely an issue.

Hi @Dinosaurus86 and that's so good to hear, congratulations! It does help though - it gives me hope that it can happen even after having these issues. Googling thin endometrial lining brings up quite depressing results.

That's soooo interesting with the polyp. A couple of years ago, my gynocologist thought I had a polyp and I went in for surgery. They didn't find one though, and assumed they'd been mistaken. The surgeon however said something was thin, I'm guessing the lining, and that maybe I should go off the pill. I had no idea then that it could affect fertility and nobody told me either, just that I might bleed easily during sex. Back then I thought I might have endometriosis since I used to have very painful periods in my early 20s and my gynocologist said I should absolutely not go off the pill, and I switched brands instead.

I'm mighty angry that they didn't give me the full picture and that I didn't just go off the pill then. But, anyhow, maybe there is a polyp after all! Maybe they missed it at surgery... 🤔

Thank you for replying @Hope365 and that's so wonderful to hear - congratulations on your girl!! 💛That makes me hopeful that things will work out in one way or another. Such a great update after reading this thread!

Hi @PlantOwl, I think - happily - a number of us have had success, though that does not help for those who haven’t yet. I had a small polyp removed, which the doctor said could be affecting the whole lining. I got pregnant not long after and now have a five month old.

Hi @PlantOwl , so sorry to hear you've been having the same problem, it's so hard... I'll send you a private message with details for the Facebook group.
I've been very lucky and now have a 7 month old little girl after a successful round of IVF - we never really worked out for sure whether my light periods/thin lining were the problem... x

I know it has been a looong time since anyone posted in this thread, but I stumbled across it while trying to find information. I'm like you all - was on the pill for 15 years, came off in August 2021 and been TTC since. First period was pretty normal, and then they've been very very light.

I'd love to hear how things have been going for you all, and if there's still a Facebook group, I'd love to join.

Hi everyone, I found this thread today and am so glad that I did.

I was on the pill for 15 years, came off in July, and have been TTC since. After my withdrawal bleed in July I have had extremely light periods, my cycle usually lasts 30-34 days with ovulation around CD19/20. I had regular bloodwork done in November and they said my numbers were normal. The OBGYN told me to just keep using OPKs and timed intercourse and really weren't concerned at all. I've been using two different OPKs and temp tracking with the Ava bracelet. I'm now on cycle 7 with no luck. I have an appointment with a fertility doctor at the end of March because it's really concerning me how light my periods still are. I know I haven't been off BC for that long and that it can take time for things to regulate but as I'm sure you all know "giving it time" is much easier said than done.

I'd love to join your facebook group because this thread is the most info I've been able to find about this and I've been obsessively googling for months. It would be great to have the support of others who are experiencing the same issues.

Hi @Bassie34! Yes, I’ve tried acupuncture etc but it doesn’t seem to have made much difference for me. I’m trying to do a short daily yoga video now because I feel like it can’t hurt. I quite liked the acupuncture even though it didn’t give clear results, but I’m not sure I can justify the cost at the moment, as I’ve been paying for so many other tests! But perhaps there is still time for you to improve? I don’t remember my dates exactly because I wasn’t TTC at the time, but it definitely took me at least a year to get back to a regular cycle after stopping the pill. I had 6 months with nothing, and then it was quite irregular probably for another year - sometimes with normal length cycles, but other times really long ones like ~60 days. But I really hope you ovulate soon.

I’m on so many vitamins now that I rattle when I walk. My doctor also has me trying baby aspirin.

Hi also @Hope365! I would quite like to join the Facebook group and will send a DM! I am still holding out some hope that it might happen naturally. I want to see what my scan this month shows, and then I think I’ll make a decision over whether to try naturally for a bit longer or ask about some kind of medicated cycle. Although I seem to get better results when I’m ovulating from my right side and I think this month will be a left! I’m so pleased to hear that your lining has responded for the IVF! That’s great news and gives us all hope!

I hope also that you will get some good news @Tinkertailor88. You’re so right that there’s so little understanding of what is required of the lining.I’ve read a few anecdotes of pregnancies at

Hi @Dinosaurus86, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this same problem - it's so upsetting coming off the pill after all those years and realising that things aren't right... I'm the same - everything seems to be working normally, and normal levels of estrogen, but my lining just doesn't respond enough. We tried a couple of rounds of low dose menopur at our fertility clinic to stimulate my ovaries into producing more natural estrogen, and that did seem to help a lot on the lining front, but I still didn't get pregnant. Doing our first round of IVF now - lining so far has responded beautifully, which I'm very grateful for, now just waiting to see whether we have any embroys 😬🤞
If you'd like to join the private Facebook group just send me DM on here and I'll let you know how! There's a few of us on there, all with similar versions of the same story, and all at very different stages of the journey - some quite early like you and @Bassie34, some just starting out with IVF like me and @Tinkertailor88, and some who have had multiple rounds, some successful some not. So be prepared for perhaps a little information overload! But hopefully it's useful for sharing tips and support, and not feeling so alone with this problem that's upsettingly often not recognised by doctors. And please remember that for some women lining does sort itself out naturally over time, so there is still hope for you that it could happen naturally 🤞😊 xxx

Hi @dinosaurus86
I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this too. I'm actually still relatively early on in my journey and I don't know as much as the others. I came off the pill in May 2020 and TTC since August. I have my first appointment with a fertility specialist next week which I'm so excited for. I haven't really tried any treatment yet other than natural things such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, fertility massage and yoga. I was told that my estrogen was normal but this cycle I'm almost on day 50 with still no ovulation and apparently my estrogen is low this cycle. I'm hoping the fertility specialist might be able to help with that and maybe it opens a few doors treatment wise, but I really have no idea! I have ovulated in previous cycles which I think indicates my estrogen would have been normal then.
Hopefully @hope365 can help with the Facebook as I'm not sure either how to do it

@Dinosaurus86 yes seems to be a problem with a lot of women with long term pill use but the Doctors don’t admit it yet as in the grand scheme of things it’s pretty rare. At my clinic they transfer the embryos in the same cycle and freeze any left over. Mine aren’t good quality on day 3, they like them to get to day 5 at my clinic the blastocyst stage before they transfer. They’ve said there’s still a chance they’ll make it but it’s low as they’re growing too slow. I spent so long worrying about my lining then I can’t even get good embryos! Not sure if it’s something to do with my protocol or just my age. I have 2 children from a previous marriage which were both conceived first month of trying so I know I was able to conceive once upon a time (they’re 18 and 14 now though). IVF is such a complex process and there are soooo many stages it can all fall apart. I never considered not even having anything to transfer so it’s been a bit of a traumatic learning curve for me. The NHS won’t do anything until you’ve been trying 2 years and wouldn’t help us at all as I already have children so we went private. Both consultants I’ve seen have said It’s still possible for the lining to recover after 2 years after the pill apparently but we just didn’t want to wait due to our ages. I also know a few women in the group who are past that point and their lining still hasn’t recovered. My NHS consultant did also say that we don’t really know in nature what thickness lining works so it’s hard to say whether that’s really the issue at all! In conclusion it’s a minefield 😂