Light periods after stopping pill

Hi @Tinkertailor88! Yes, I do wish I wasn’t, but it’s sort of nice to know we aren’t alone. I just find it so frustrating that there isn’t a clear treatment path. If you aren’t ovulating then that seems to be fixable; whereas I seem to make eggs perfectly well but then can’t support them. It’s been devastating really. I’m a bit uncertain also if I will be a candidate for extra estrogen outside of IVF as my levels were already pretty high and I’ve had two dominant follicles on 2 out of 3 of my scans - so I’m not sure if more would put me at too great a risk of multiples... (we’re open to twins but I’m not sure about more than that!) Of course, that’s all besides the point when I can’t even get one to implant! It’s like my body is trying so so hard to get pregnant but the lining just isn’t having any of it.

I am still a bit clueless about IVF. Will you have any embryos put back in all in the same cycle, or do they make them in one cycle and put them back in the next? That’s great news about getting to 7mm and I hope your embryos pick up.

@Dinosaurus86 yep sounds like you’re in the same boat as us! I’m the same as you all my hormones are normal as is ovulation but even though my estrogen is the right level my lining doesn’t respond. I’m doing my first round of IVF l now which isn’t going amazing on the embryo front but my lining did get to 7mm with the extra estrogen (my doc told me i need IVF as the amount of estrogen I need for the lazy receptors in my lining to respond is too excessive so would prevent natural ovulation). @Hope365 could send you the link to the fb group I’ve no idea how to do it, she had the menopur I think. My doc wouldn’t do that unless it was part of an IVF cycle. Yep I’ve done acupuncture and all the supplements and natural remedies I could find but nothing has worked for me, only extra estrogen

Hi @Hope365, @Tinkertailor88, @Bassie34, I was wondering if I might join your group? I think I'm in a very similar situation to you all, but a bit further behind in treatment.

I'm 34 and on cycle 12 of TTC. I was on microgynon from ages 17 to 29. When I came off the pill, I went 6 months without a period, which only came through use of vitex. Over the next year, they gradually became regular again.

I've been having private tests over the past few months, which have confirmed that I ovulate and have good, normal hormone levels. My tubes are fine and the uterus looks healthy except for a small polyp which I had removed last month. DP's semen analysis was normal but not stellar. The only abnormality picked up was my thin endometrium. It's been measured at 4.5mm (day 10) and twice at 5.5mm (day 13).

My periods have been really light since coming off the pill (and for the last year of being on the pill - which was partly why I came off it, as I was concerned). I do get red blood, but it's very light. Ironically, I was put on the pill as a teenager for horribly heavy periods. I am now regretting that decision, but I was explicitly told the pill would not affect my fertility!

I'm not quite sure what my next step is at the moment. I've tried acupuncture, which did not seem to help. I'm also looking into Chinese herbs. I think I will try to arrange another scan this month just after ovulation to check the thickness again, and if it is still poor then I may ask if I can have some additional oestrogen supplements. Did someone say menopur was the one they had on here? (I've just been reading the whole thread). I'm just not sure if it will help, as my natural oestrogen is totally fine! My lining just barely responds to it.

Hi @Bassie34 and @Tinkertailor88, sorry for slow replies! How are you both? @tinkertailor yes it sounds like we'll be doing IVF at the same time! @bassie I've heard of prp - another lady I've been speaking to from Greece had success with that, pregnant with twins despite a still relatively thin lining (I think 5.9 in the end)! I wanted to add her to the group but unfortunately she doesn't have Facebook - I thought that might be a problem as not everyone has it, but I can't think of where else to set it up... So I've finally done it! If you're still interested in joining, DM me your email addresses and I'll invite you in Facebook - the group is totally secret so can't be seen unless you're a member xx

@Bassie34 thank you I’ll be sure to report back 🤞❤️

@Tinkertailor88 I know exactly what you mean about feeling excited to start but nervous it won't work. I have read lots of success stories of women who have had successful pregnancies with lining as thin as 5mm. I know it's still not ideal but it can definitely happen! It sounds like you are on the right path now too. I have my fingers crossed for you ❤

@Bassie34 yes there are a few different options but my clinic is pretty old school. The most progressive clinics all seem to be based in London which is miles away from me. Theres also vaginal viagra and reproductive immunology (which they’ll do testing for if you have multiple IVF failures). I think they try the basic IVF protocol then if I still have problems they start looking into other options.

Yes they will give me the normal stims injections then they’re putting me on the estrogen tablets and patches leading up to transfer. I got to 6.9mm in my trial challenge still not ideal but better than 2/3mm. My consultant just had success with a lady who had 6.6mm lining shes now pregnant with twins so he is happy to go ahead based on my results. I feel so relieved that I’ll finally have a consultant in charge of things that can actually make decisions and try different options as nothing I’ve done myself has made any difference. Excited to start but also nervous in case my body just doesn’t play ball. Leaving it to the universe! 🤞

Hi @Hope365 and @Tinkertailor88
I agree- a private Facebook group would be a great idea!
@Hope365 I'm so sorry you're still going through this- I hope you get your bfp soon. What a coincidence you will both be doing ivf next month!
@tinktertailor88 in regards to your situation, because the estrogen has worked for you, will they give you this leading up to the transfer to thicken the lining? It sounds promising to me if that's the case, but I am obviously still learning about all of this.
I've also been doing a lot of googling and have come across a rather new treatment called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) which is supposed to help thicken the lining. It is really new and I came across it when I was researching a fertility specialist here in Melbourne. I don't think everywhere offers it yet and I think it needs more research but the results so far sound promising. It could be worth mentioning to your fertility specialist if what you try next isn't successful (but hopefully it is)? I have no idea what the criteria for it is but it's something!

@Hope365 sounds like we’re going to be February IVF buddies. Let’s keep in touch!

@Hope365 what a brilliant idea I’d be interested in a private group definitely. I’ve not met anyone else with this issue which is quite isolating! We went private too (hence how we were able to fast track the IVF) but my fertility consultant doesn’t seem bothered about trying to find out why I’m having this lining issue. He denies that it’s the pill but I can’t give me any answers as to what else it could be! He doesn’t seem bothered about investigating the cause just wants to press on with IVF which is good on the one hand but on the other I’m worried that it may not work anyway if the lining problem isn’t resolved. He told me our chances at IVF are a lot lower than normal due to my lining problem so I’m not feeling as optimistic as I’d like

Hi @Tinkertailor88 and @Bassie34, sorry for not replying sooner! I'm still very much in the same position as last time - STILL waiting to start IVF after our clinic shut down for a second time because of covid, as we were literally about to start (after waiting since May) 😭 Anyway, we've given up on the NHS and gone private so we are now booked in for IVF in Feb. Will hopefully learn a lot more about my lining issues then...
@bassie I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this problem too :( It sounds like you're doing all the right things with getting diagnosed and getting some form of treatment going, so hopefully you'll see some results, or at least get some answers soon 🤞
I'm actually talking to quite a few different women with this problem now, and I was thinking of maybe setting up some sort of private group where we could all chat and share stories/swap tips. The most obvious option is a secret Facebook group - would either of you be interested in joining of I set it up? X

Thank you @Tinkertailor88. Hopefully there is a bfp around the corner for both of us :) best of luck to you and I'll make sure I keep you updated!

@Bassie34 yes the thyroid definitely impacts too! It sounds like you have some other issues going on which hopefully they can treat! My situation is a little different in that I have regular ovulatory cycles all my thyroid and hormones are all fine but still my lining just isn’t responding. Totally unexplained nobody can give me any answers. I think you still have a few avenues to explore before you get to where I am so all the best to you and keep us updated! Keep pushing the docs they need constant pestering especially at the minute!

Hi @Tinkertailor88 thank you so much for responding! That is good news that you are at least responding to the estrogen. Good luck with IVF, I am really praying for you ❤ I'm hoping that if I have no luck with anything else that I will at least respond to estrogen too- I'm scared to think about the lack of options if I don't. 2mm is just so damn thin isn't it! I have been able to confirm that I'm ovulating but my cycles are irregular- I think I'm still adjusting slowly after the pill. My longest cycle was 50 days and that was the same cycle I had first tried the herbs- I was wondering whether they threw my cycle off a bit. I have read that hypothyroidism can also impact the lining- but the information is scarce so it's a long shot to hope that if I get that under control it might help too. It's a bit of trial and error too I guess. Such a frustrating condition to have. Please keep me updated- I would love to hear how you go!

@Bassie34 you sound very similar to me! I have ‘slight’ PCOS apparently as I have acne and slightly cystic ovaries but I have regular ovulatory cycles so they didn’t fully diagnose me. My lining is still only measuring 2.5mm in the luteal phase. I’ve had 1.5, 4, 2.5 and 2 on 4 different scans. I took the chinese herbs did acupuncture for 4 months all the supplements etc but still no improvement. I also had high prolactin but that has come down now. Apparently that’s another thing that’s common after long term pill. I also had low progesterone which is now much better I went from 13 up to 25 and stopped spotting in my luteal phase so all that has levelled out. Unfortunately my lining is still not responding to my own estrogen (which is a normal level). I had to take estrogen tablets and patches from the fertility doc to see if I’d respond. I did (to a certain degree still not amazing) which is good news but the bad news is I need so much estrogen to stimulate my lining that I’m unable to ovulate while taking it as the level is so high it acts as a contraceptive. We were advised therefore that we’d need to do IVF. We start our first round in February all being well. Feel free to message me if you’d like to keep in touch. It’s such an annoying problem to have and doctors don’t seem to be able to treat the lining only or explain why it happens. It does appear to be very rare! Usually the lining being thin is related to not ovulating. Have you managed to confirm whether you’re ovulating or not? If that’s the issue they can give you meds to bring on ovulation which should then help the lining

Hi @Tinkertailor88 and @Hope365 , I hope you don't mind me joining- I can see this thread has been quiet for a couple of months. I came across your thread and just had to join as I feel you have described my exact situation. I came off the pill in May last year after 13 years. My periods have been incredibly light since- brown spotting for a few days (can even get away without wearing a party liner if I wanted to). I had an ultrasound in June (due to weird cramps I was having at the time) and my lining measured 3.8mm in the luteal phase. Last cycle it measured only 2mm in the luteal phase. I am so devastated. I have just started seeing a doctor who has done a whole heap of tests and have also found out I'm very low in progesterone and I seem to have an underactive thyroid and high prolactin. I'll be starting treatment for all this next cycle and am also booked in to see a fertility specialist. I also was diagnosed with pcos when I was 20 years old (hence the pill). I'm 34 years old and starting to feel quite stressed now. Apparently my estrogen levels are normal so my doctor hasn't wanted to prescribe this but I don't see how else I'm going to get the lining to thicken. I feel reassured to hear that you have at least responded to estrogen and if I can convince my doctor to prescribe this I'm hoping it might help me too. I can also discuss with the fertility specialist next month. I'm also trying acupuncture, yoga and fertility massage to try and increase blood flow- and also just recently started using castor oil. @tinkertailor88 do you mind if I ask what herbs you are taking? I have started some Chinese herbs too but am really interested about the estrogen building ones! I would love to keep in touch and follow along your journey. I really hope we all have some success and good news soon ❤

@Hope365 just to update you the only clinics I can find in the Uk that do reproductive immunology are in London. ARGC seem to be the most experienced in it and it looks pricey and quite specialised. It’s a bit woo in the sense that a lot of doctors don’t believe in it but it’s steadily growing in popularity. Mainly for recurrent miscarriage and implantation issues rather than thin lining specifically. Something about NK cells in the endometrium. They won’t help me with a blood test unless I go though them for IVF so looks like we’ll have to stick to original plan and press on with IVF where we live and then perhaps turn to immunology if we end up with repeat failures. Acupuncturist has me on some estrogen boosting herbs first half of my cycle and progesterone supporting herbs to start after ovulation. I’ve just found out though that we’ve been pencilled in for ivf in February and I have to start bc pill from December in preparation for that if I want to go ahead. Means I’ll only get one more cycle to try naturally. I’m seeing another gynaecologist on Monday about my mid cycle spotting so I’m going to quiz him too. No harm in a second opinion.

Also have you heard of the hidden infection test by the Greek clinic lotus something or other? Mixed reports on those lots of women on a baby centre forum had great results turned out they had hidden infections causing their thin lining which cleared up with antibiotics. But again most doctors will tell you it’s a con and that in the Greece clinic they say every patient tests positive so they can treat them!

Most frustrating thing is finding so much conflicting advice and nobody who actually knows for sure what the hell is going on. I’ll let you know if I find out anything else of any use!

@Tinkertailor88 that's really interesting, I've done a lot of research on this but never heard of the antibody theory! Yes, please do keep me posted - and also if you find out the name of that consultant. I'm still struggling to find a doctor that really understands/knows anything about this specific problem... Good luck with the acupuncture in the meantime - I've been thinking of maybe giving that a go too...

@Hope365 she’s thinking it may be an immune system issue where my body has developed antibodies to hormones namely estrogen. It’s rare and the research is really thin on it. She knows a consultant who specialises in it so she’s going to see if he will offer a consult. Apparently I’ll need a blood test for specific antibody markers but she’s not sure which ones she needs advice on that. There’s a Clinic in Greece that specialises in it too the Consultant there has led a lot of the research. Most doctors are sceptical though and it’s certainly not available on NHS as a treatment. She’s going to treat me with herbs in the meantime until we get more info. I’ll let you know if I get any further with it!

@Tinkertailor88 yes my situation sounds very similar to yours. I saw an endocrinologist who said exactly the same as your acupuncturist - that years of the pill and flooding my body with estrogen had likely desensitized my estrogen receptors and so my lining now needs more estrogen to grow. Tests have shown that my estrogen levels are normal, but that doesn't seem to be enough to build a good lining... That endocrinologist is one of very few doctors I've seen who linked it to the pill - most deny that the pill can do that, but I've now spoken to quite a few different women who seem to have the same problem after years of the pill, and there does actually seem to be some evidence for it in the scientific literature too...
I'd be really curious to hear what your acupuncturist suggests!

@Hope365 can I just ask did you have low estrogen to start with? Or normal estrogen but lining just not responding?

@Hope365 thanks so much for your reply! Sorry to hear you’re still having issues best of luck to you. Yes I had super light periods I knew something wasn’t right. I took matters into my own hands booked a private scan online for £90 and she confirmed my lining was 2mm. I waiting a few more months to see if it improved. It didn’t so we booked privately for a fertility MOT at a fertility clinic. DH has super sperm apparently so he was very smug ha but my lining was still only 4mm just after ovulation. The doctor recommended estrogen priming to see if the lining would respond. It got to 6.9mm in about 12 days so he said he would recommend IVF. He still completely denies it’s caused by the pill but can’t give me any other reason either! At that stage we weren’t quite ready for that yet so I’m going through the process now of applying for finance for it (not covered by NHS as I already have an 18 year old son from first marriage). I’m also seeing an acupuncturist who does traditional chinese herbs. She thinks it could be an estrogen receptor issue. So I’ve been on the pill so long my receptors are needing an excessive amount of estrogen to be stimulated. She says she may have a solution and she’s going to call me later to discuss. I’ll let you know how I get on. I also had low progesterone and spotting and the herbs she gave me for that last cycle did help a lot so I’m keen to hear what she has to say. I’ll try anything at this point and you’re so right there’s very little info on this issue. My acupuncturist says it’s very rare.

Hi @Tinkertailor88, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this problem too - it's so frustrating, especially when there's so little information out there about it and why it happens... It's great at least that your problem has been diagnosed and recognised by your doctor, as that can sometimes be half of the challenge for getting help - it took me ages to convince anyone that my light periods weren't normal, and to convince them to check my lining! So do you also get very light periods?
It's really good news that you responded to estrogen, as that's not always a given, and means something can be done to help - even if that does often mean IVF. The treatment I tried was basically the medication people take for IVF (called Menopur), but at a much lower dose - it stimulates your ovaries and makes your body produce more estrogen (and more eggs if you take it at an IVF dose). This means you get more estrogen but still ovulate, so you can have thicker lining and still try naturally - or with IUI. My lining responded quite well to it but I sadly still didn't get pregnant (but we're now thinking we might have some male factor issues too). I'd definitely recommend giving it a go if your doctor will let you - are you with a fertility clinic?
Covid put all treatment on hold for us which was hard, but we're now finally hoping to start IVF in the next month or so 😬
Feel free to message me if you want to chat some more, and keep us posted on how you get on - I'm always keen to share with others going through this as there's so little information and support out there xx

@PracticalMagic111 just read your post from a few months ago and was wondering how you are getting on? I too have had a blood test come back with a mildly underactive thyroid, this was a couple of months ago now and I'm waiting for a private test kit to arrive so I can get a more comprehensive look at my thyroid x

@Hope365 I’ve no idea if you’re still around I know this thread has been quiet for a while. I know @MintGreenLife from another thread she told me to check this one out. Looks like I’m having very similar issues to you. Basically since coming off the pill I’ve had a few lining scans as my periods were so light. I’ve had 2mm and 4mm naturally around ovulation day. My Doc put me on estrogen to see if it would respond. I got to 6.9mm. My doctor has told me there’s not much chance naturally for me and that he recommends I go straight to IVF as my lining needs too much estrogen to thicken which would inhibit me ovulating naturally. He didn’t admit the pill as the problem at all even though I’ve had no surgeries or infections or any other causes. He just said it’s unexplained. I was hoping we’d still be able to try naturally for a bit longer but with some meds, I notice you mentioned some injections that helped your lining then a shot to bring on ovulation. What were those? It’s really hard to find anyone else with this issue so thought id reach out on this thread in case anyone else has any words of wisdom. So frustrating that they won’t even admit the pill can cause these issues!!! My periods were always fine before. Hope you don’t mind me asking the question and I hope you’re getting sorted with your treatments. Sounds like all the ladies on this thread have had quite a time of it!!!