Light periods after stopping pill

@MrsKirsty they haven't really advised anything yet - thin lining doesn't seem to be a standard problem that my clinic are used to dealing with (even though I've found lots about it online), but they have referred me to an endocrinologist who should hopefully know more. That appointment is on 10th December so I'm really hoping to get some sort of treatment plan then 🤞 My understanding is that estrogen is the best and most common treatment, but every time I've mentioned that at the clinic they just say that they only give that as part of IVF cycles... so just waiting to see what the endocrinologist says for now.

@JennaRMD I hope you got that positive OPK in the end? Totally get the OPK frustration..! With the EWCM though, I tend to get that for about 5 days before a positive OPK, so your peak may not have happened yet - fingers crossed you didn't miss your fertile window and are still in with a shot this cycle!

@Maisy24 so sorry to hear about your BFN 😕 But great that at least you got to enjoy your weekend away! My experience with the doctors was that the GP will only do very standard tests and definitely not look for things like lining thickness. To be honest my light periods were even dismissed by the fertility clinic at our initial appointment! But thankfully they booked me in for a special scan to check my tubes (standard test when you first get referred to a clinic) and when I had that I explicitly asked them to also look at my lining - it was the first time I was having a scan later in my cycle (it was CD12). That's when they saw it was thin, and they then booked me in for a complete tracked cycle to check it throughout. So I did have to push to get it checked! But I also know that things vary so much from doctor to doctor, so definitely see what your GP says... xxx

@Hope365 @MrsKirsty @JennaRMD hi all, sorry for the delay in reply I woke up late Friday and rushed out! I did the FRER and no surprise it was negative, so had a good weekend with friends. I had some blood loss on Saturday (bright red) so thought that was the start but it's disappeared again and I'm still waiting for it to come. This has happened to me a lot though, where I have a bit then it goes and comes back fully. Anyone else have this? I've got the back ache and the cramps so think it will come today or tomorrow.

And it all starts again! I'm going back to the doctors though when I get chance I want referring or another scan to check the lining @Hope365 remind me how they found your lining issue? Did the nhs do another scan or a fertility clinic?

Xxxxxx

Ok so I've just had a whole week of negative OPKs (testing twice per day) some of them had a faint line over Thursday and Friday and even this morning but just done one earlier tonight and it is 100% negative. I'm either reading them wrong, they are too cheap to be accurate or I'm not ovulating! I've had cramps past 2 days and also EWCM (sorry if tmi) but still negative even when this is present. It's beginning to bore me now tbh......

Hope everyone is well @Hope365 good luck with your tww, I'm about to start mine but I'm not overly hopefully this month as think I may have missed my fertility window with obsessing too much on bloody OPKs. Seriously thinking about just ditching it all and listening to my body!!!

Sigh

@Maisy24 I hope you're having a lovely weekend, let us know how you got on with your test, sending all the good vibes your way!
So glad to hear you had bloods and was nothing to do with menopause. Luckily we're all far too young to be worrying about that yet, Google just loves the worst case scenario and to freak people out!!

@JennaRMD yes I'm the same with the spotting! Have 2-3 days before each period and few days after too. I also wanted to just let it happen but I started opks pretty early as I didn't know my cycle. I always pick up the LH surge but then I read that doesn't confirm you actually have ovulated, just that the hormone was high. So ive tracked temp now for 1 cycle and got the the rise after ovulation so defo think I'm ovulating which is a good start!! Sounds like we're the same with OCD and anxiety... I just can't chill out and leave things to be what they will be haha! I'm going to temp one more cycle then I've told my OH he has to ban me so I don't get obsessed and just relax!!
Completely agree about the festive period, it's time to have a good time and relax a bit until the new year! And you definitely have time, we all have to stay positive 😊

@Hope365 thanks for having me! So glad your hormone levels all came back good. It's such a shame we've been let down with the pill and doctors saying it doesn't cause infertility when it clearly affects lining in the long term! What have they advised you regarding your lining? Any treatment options? I also get cramps during ovulation, especially on my left side which is weird! Good luck in your tww , got my fingers crossed for you 🤞

I hope you're all having great weekends! Xx

Happy birthday @Maisy24!! Hope you're having a great time away with your friends 🤗 xxx

@Maisy24 how did the test go? Hope you have a good weekend regardless ❤️

Actually looking back you all wrote those messages last night so I'm having an issue with the messages not updating...

I think we all wrote at the same time so I didn't see all those other messages! 😂

Hi @MrsKirsty, thanks for joining us 😊 Although I wouldn't wish these issues on anyone, I would definitely say the more the merrier when it comes to this group - it's so nice to have some support and know we are not alone... When I first started to worry about my light periods I did exactly the same as you - googled and started to panic about all the early menopause stuff, because that was all that came up! If it can make you feel any better, I've had all the early menopause tests done (FSH, AMH and antral follicle count) and they all came back fine. For me it does seem to be related to thin lining, which apparently long-term use of the pill can cause - but no one ever talks about this, and doctors always just dismiss light periods! I also get a lot of cramps - for me it's a week of discomfort around ovulation time, then cramps for at least 7 days leading up to my period, every month 🙄 Are you temping at all, or using OPKs? I think regular periods don't necessarily mean ovulation so it might be worth checking that.

@Maisy24 how are you feeling? Are you still planning on testing today? Thinking of you 🤗

I'm officially in the TWW - 2DPO today, here we go again! Xxx

@JennaRMD thank you! I'm not hopeful I just don't feel it this month, but think I'm past symptom spotting at this stage 🤣

It sounds like you and @MrsKirsty could be the second set of ttc twins 😄

Wishing us all lots of luck!!! And I'll keep you updated tomorrow when i test. Xxxx

@Maisy24 good luck for tomorrow!!! Let us know how you get on and if its another BFN then go and blow of some steam for the weekend. Hell you deserve it!!! Xx

@MrsKirsty - welcome! Your situation sounds very much like mine. Been off the pill for 6months and been TTC for about 3 now. Very light periods (more like brown spotting) for 3-4days (barely enough to even notice on knickers, sorry if tmi) but still getting cramps and every cycle is 28-30days. Doctor has said the lightness is nothing to worry about and as long as I'm getting "something" on a "regular basis" and cramping (apparently cramps are a sign you have ovulated that month) then she doesn't think anything is wrong. I wasn't really trying to start with as just kind of wanted it to happen by itself but I have looked back on my tracker app last week and have noticed I think we may have been missing the window (I wasn't doing ovulation tests then) and/or perhaps not DTD often enough. Like you I kind of thought I was pregnant last month as I was a day late, had no period symptoms and we had DTD every 2nd for over a week (we were on holiday so had a lot of time on our hands haha 😂) but woke up the day after with hellish cramps abd light spotting. I've stopped overly trying again this month as I was getting really obsessed with it (I have slight ocd and anxiety so none of this helps with baby making). If I'm not pregnant this month I'm planning on just enjoying the festive period and then starting to focus more on it again in the new year. My doctor assures me she thinks everything is fine but if not pregnant by May (1year of TTC) then to go in. I've just turned 28 so I feel I have some time. Just so glad I came off when I did as I was thinking of staying on for another year or so as we weren't in any rush. 🤦

@MrsKirsty the doctor said exactly the same thing to me "I'd have put you on the pill to see if it improved things but you are Ttc" I was thinking erm no I think the pill is what has caused this problem!

And yes I did the exact same thing, I started googling and panicking I was going into menopause, but when I had my bloods done I must have said at least three times "it's definitely not menopause is it" and she was like "no it is definitely not so stop worrying about that".

Well I'm 11dpo tomorrow and going away for the weekend with friends. So I will be doing an FRER tomorrow morning just so I can feel better about having a drink, no doubt it will be another BFN! If I do get a BFN then I'm booking another appointment and I want referring to check my lining is ok. As I'll be getting on for 16 months.

@Hope365 went through a similar process to us (telling her everything was fine) but she's since found she does have a problem with her lining and is being referred, so I want to rule that out incase I need treatment.

It has only been 6 months for you, so that's not long at all (I know it feels a lifetime) I'd say try and relax maybe start to use the clear blue advanced ovulation kits (I used them this cycle and loved them) and give it another 2 months of dtd in your fertile week, there are lots of people that only have light bleeds that get pregnant quickly so it could be nothing to worry about.

Stay on this thread, we are all sharing any info we find out that could help.

Xxxxxxx

Xxxxx

@Maisy24 I'm so relieved others are in the same boat as when I googled it lots of pre-menopause info came up and I panicked a bit!
I went to gp a few months ago for the cramps saying last period was only 1.5 days and she brushed it off and didn't seem worried. Actually said if I wasn't TTC she would have regulated me with the pill (!!).
I'm on day 1 of cycle now so going to see how this one goes and thinking I should go back to gp and focus on the light bleeding. Really thought i was pregnant last cycle too, its rubbish worrying about everything! Xx

@MrsKirsty welcome! This has been really helpful for us all to share advice we've been given and just generally support eachother! Sounds like you are very similar to us! Have you been to the doctors? Xxxx

Hey, I hope it's ok to jump on this thread! Been reading your experiences and they're exactly like mine... Haven't found anything else helpful online other than this so thank you all for sharing!!
I also came off the pill (lucette/Yasmin) earlier this year, having been on it since age 15 (I'm now 31!) been TTC for 6months with such light periods. Had heavy painful periods whilst on the pill (and before) that I had scans etc. (all fine) but since I've been off they've got lighter and lighter each cycle. Did any of you experience this?
Cycle is always regular 28-30 days so pretty sure I'm ovulating but period is now down to basically a day of very light bleeding, only a few drops! I do have spotting before and after though, but its not enough to even reach a pad. Still get all the cramps... Yay!🙄

I'm annoyed there isn't more advice out there on this. As clearly we all have similar experiences! I'm going to check out the supplements that have been mentioned, you never know!
I wish you all the luck in the world on your journeys too, it can be tough!!

P.s I'm also November birthday haha, weird!

@Maisy24 I half expected you to say your birthday was today too 😂😂 The similarities are getting ridiculous!

Thanks, yes I am grateful for OH every day - it took me a while to find someone who makes me so happy so I feel very lucky 🥰 Off out for drinks now, then a lovely dinner with the man!

Xxx

@Hope365 Happy Birthday!!! Guess what... it's my birthday on Saturday!!!! I swear this is getting more and more freaky 🤣🤣🤣

33 is DEFINITELY your year! And you are right you have loads of things going for you that you should feel happy about. Loads of women haven't been lucky enough to find a good OH yet! And you have your appointment to look forward to. Exciting things to come!

I hope you are being spoilt and having a lovely day xxxxxx

@Maisy24 I get cramps every cycle from about 7DPO so they always make me feel like I'm out, but I know for a lot of women they can be a sign of implantation - fingers massively crossed that's what it is for you! 🤞

It's my birthday today (33)! It's hard not to focus on the fact that a whole year has passed and still no baby... but I'm trying to stay positive and appreciate the things I do have rather than those I don't - like my OH and both our families who are so supportive. Plus the fact that we have appointments coming up very soon that will hopefully get things moving! Hoping 33 is my year 🤞🤞🤞 xxx

@Hope365 oh god they are quite worrying!! Thinking I need to swap next cycle! It will be interesting to see if OH SA comes back with any change in December. Not too much longer to wait now! Excited for you.

I haven't really had any symptoms, I have been getting some cramps but probably not related. I'm going to test on Friday before I go away I'll be 11dpo then.

Not expecting much though!

@Mycrazylife85 it sucks to be left out of anything, never mind something you want so much. I'm fortunate that most of my clost friends don't have family yet so I'm probably the most broody out the lot. I have a 3yo Nephew but my Brother and sister-in-law are older than me so don't feel as pressured there.
@Hope365 yup, I totally just wish I knew when... I just keep thinking even if it takes 10years I'll still only be 38 😂 trying to think of all worst case scenarios so that when it happens in 5 years instead of 10 then I'll not be as disheartened. Defo going to wait until my 1y of "trying" tho before I go to docs about anything. I was on another thread that simply asked "how long did you take?" And quite a few women were saying around 2y with no known medical reasons why. Guess @Maisy24 is right, it's just your luck of the dice ha x

@JennaRMD @Maisy24 Loving the dice analogies ladies 😂 And totally with you both on just wanting to know when... I could handle the wait so much better if I knew it was going to happen for sure, but as you say Jenna it's all the 'what if's that are hard...

@Maisy24 I know it's crazy how similar our TTC situations are! After over a year of feeling very alone with these problems it's so nice to be able to share. I also hope we get our BFPs together! I'm not entirely sure of side effects but I did read some stuff about vitamin E which worried me a little - have a look at side effects on this link www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-954/vitamin-e
L-arginine seemed maybe a little safer from the reading I did, though it definitely seems to be affecting my gut (sparing you the details 😂) - and that's only at 3g per day which is half what they took in that study I sent you, so not sure it'll have any effect. It's so hard to know about safety just from the internet though... I will try and ask the endocrinologist about this stuff when I have my appointment. My OH is only taking the Wellman conception multivitamin, and also now cutting down on hot baths, and cycling too (he does a lot). We'll see if anything has changed when they retest him in December, and whether they think the morphology is a problem...
Any new TWW symptoms for you?

@Mycrazylife85 I'm so sorry your friends are excluding you like that, it must be so tough - though I agree with Maisy that not going to kids parties is probably a good thing, I find that kind of thing quite hard. But I do totally get the feeling left out thing, and it's very unfair of your friends not to invite you despite you telling them you'd love to come (which is you being a much better friend than I'd be!)

Xxx

@JennaRMD I totally agree! Why can't we be the ones that throw six and go straight to go and collect 200 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@Mycrazylife85 I know it's easier said than done but try to stay positive. Trust me I know how hard it can be being surrounded by people who seem to just "fall", not always the best feeling.

@Maisy24 I just wish someone could tell me that everything is ok. Even if someone said it'll take us 3-4 years I'd be ok with that (and would be able to relax more) it's just more the "what if" that stresses me out. When you are doing everything right and it's still not happening after 6months. I know that's not a massive amount of time but it's like how do others just have it happen easy lol? Just confusing and frustrating. I just wish I could see into the future 😭😂!!!
I love the dice explanation, totally get it, just I thought I'd be the person to roll an unwanted 6 that puts you back to the start, not the one who kept getting every number bar the 6 that you need to win the game 😂

@JennaRMD Your doctor is definitely right! you haven't been trying for long at all, if you can try and relax and enjoy it for now that will help things massively (I know its easier said than done) but I honestly think stress plays a big part in it all. I didn't ask DH to be tested until last month, which was around 14 months. Just think to yourself it WILL happen but its just a case of WHEN :) It is all chance and if you think of it like rolling a dice, we could all roll a dice once a month and still not get the number 6, whereas someone could get it first throw. We just have to keep throwing :)

@Hope365 omg we really are TTC twins!!!!! I hope we get our BFP's together too! Very interesting article! Maybe I need to switch to what your on as it looks to have higher success rate, what are the risks of Vitamin E? Are there any risks to the L-Arginine I also still worry about the morphology as it makes me wonder if this is why it isn't happening, have you got OH on anything? Since getting my DH results back he has completely cut out baths (he was having at least 5 scorching hot baths a week as we didn't know that effected sperm) , he has cut down on his drinking as he goes out quite a lot at weekend, he already eats healthy and goes to the gym but i've got him on an array of vitamins that are meant to be good Lycapene, Zinc, Vitamin C and COQ10. I also read tomatoes are fantastic for morphology and count, so up the spag bols and chillis for tea! haha.

@Mycrazylife85 Sorry you are feeling crappy, whenever I feel like this I try and think about all the positive things I have in life such as DH, holidays where I can actually enjoy myself and relax (unlike my parent friends haha) good job, good health, family, my beloved pets. :)

I am with you on not wanting people to talk behind your back or be cautious around what they say around you, I much prefer to put an award winning act on than tell everyone. In regards to the kids parties I am the COMPLETE opposite! I HATE kids parties and my friends make me feel guilty if I don't go, so I go to please them and end up standing there like a spare part haha, honestly they are NOT FUN so please don't get upset over that, enjoy your time you don't have to attend.

I am sure your in-laws will not give the books away, they will be waiting for your little bundle of joy to arrive :)

xxxx