First month off pill....

Novinophobia I'm from north Leicestershire, so not far from you.

Stealthbanana, are you going to do a test?

Such a frustrating time for us ladies!
X

hi stealth and babycakes. Sorry to hear you're both having issues getting back into a regular cycle. I wonder sometimes if years on the pill does 'mask' irregular cycles as we get older. I do think there's good evidence though that the pill doesn't actually affect your natural cycle/fertility. Here's hoping for AF soon! With any luck things will settle down soon. If not, you should both be investigated for polycystic ovaries

Stealth - opk detects the surge of a hormone called leutinising hormone (LH), which occurs mid cycle and should cause ovulation within a day or so. Fertilisation can then occur as the egg travels towards the uterus. If ovulation occurs, the level of progesterone then rises and can be detected with a blood test 3/4 of the way through your cycle. If you test your urine with the opk around mid cycle for a few days a detect an LH surge then it's time to do the deed! Of course, the egg may or may not get fertilised, but it's the best time to try :-)

Hope that helps

Hi! Last summer I came off the pill (after being on it for 7 years). I had three periods then nothing for 7 months. Docs are currently looking into it - i used to hate getting my period but now i really want it so i know where my body is and i can work out when I'm ovulating arghh. The doctor said that I could have blood tests to track when I'm ovulating or something but have to wait for other results to come back first (to check for hormonal imbalances etc). I hate being irregular. I hope the pill hasn't messed me up. I know they say your fertility isn't affected by it but it has so many other horrible side effects that it surely can't be good for it...

Hi can I join you? 34, ttc#1, London

It's not my first month off the pill but things have been pretty disappointing - came off microgynon the 2nd week of March, had a withdrawal bleed straight away as usual. Then took 40 days to get a period, which was pretty light but definitely a flow. Since then (that was 27 April)...nada! My tracking app is telling me I am 10 days overdue with a !! sign - implication being I'm pregnant but I don't think so. So it is officially CD50 for me today. Sigh.

Am not doing opks or anything mostly because I don't know what they are or where to buy them but am wondering whether I should go eg to the lister clinic and get myself tested? Have been on the pill since I was 17 and didn't start periods til I was 14 so don't have much of a history to look at really. Would just rather know if there's a problem now!

Sorry TriJo. Negative OPK over here this AM

Negative test this morning at CD30. Moving swiftly along...

Tamara - I am from Nottingham, are you from around these parts too...?

Kt - how long have you been off the pill now? What were your cycles like before you were on the pill? Sorry you're feeling low about it all :-(

I think usually the first cycle off the pill is quite long, when I came off a few months ago for blood tests I had two really long cycles, but then they started to get shorter. Until you have at least one AF it is hard for the docs to work out when to do the blood tests. What they are looking for is a progesterone spike at day 21 which you should get if you've ovulated that month. If your cycle is much longer, they have to adjust this day and take the blood test later in your cycle. I ended up having it done 3 times as my cycles weren't very regular or predictable! All 3 times progesterone was

Thanks margo. I'm holding on to idea that I have ovulated really late and hopefully a bfp. I hate obsessing!

Welcome Ems693!
Its exactly a week since I've come off my pill and nothing yet so I can't give advice, I am sure AF will make a visit soon! Maybe wait another week then visit the docs... Ladies on here have had varying cycle lengths and it can take 40 ish days for some by the sounds of it, hope it comes soon.

Ktkaye I think a trip to the docs is a good idea, hopefully they'll be able to answer some questions and reassure you, especially if you're feeling down. Sending a virtual hug

TriJo that's so frustrating, being on the Pill did mean things were easier to plan as you always knew when you'd get a visit from AF!

Bought some new underwear at the weekend, just woke up yesterday feeling like I HAD to go and buy some... Hormones?! But think it will be a while before I wear it, digging out my old comfy friends from the bottom of my underwear drawer in anticipation of AF again today, poor hubby!

First month off pill.withdrawal bleed 5days later for 7 days and still no period since. I'm in day 33, all tests BFN. Worried I'm not going to get my period or not ovulating

CD29 and not even the slightest sign in either direction - which probably means that my period is going to decide to arrive some time in the middle of next week at the most inappropriate time if it's anything like last month - I missed an open water swim race because I woke up with horrific cramps on the morning of it, with absolutely no warning.

Had a very relaxed weekend, somehow managed to sleep for 12 hours on Friday night, chilled out at home with hubby both evenings and went cycling together this afternoon. First hilly ride post honeymoon and the legs were screaming!

Thank you Rose I'll have a look xx

Yippee Hannah, your OH will be delighted! I'm CD 10 and negative CB digital OPK which I'd expect but was possitive CD 8 (tested early as cycle length varies) so I've no idea what's going on!!

Ktkaye I'd call your GP in any event. I saw my GP last week given my cycle lengths and she was superb. Offered me CD21 bloods if I wished or carry on for a few months then
Come back. She said to look up Ready Steady Baby, a site they advise us TTC ladies to use.

Oo get busy hannah!!

Definitely ring the docs KtKaye, better to do something.

That's exactly how i felt Margo. I've only just started feeling normal again and I've just finished my last cycle.
Xx

Tamara - so did I! Which begs the q... What on earth is going on?! Three days and then nothing - absolutely nothing. Opk and of tests both negative (surprise surprise). I think if nothing else has happened in a couple of weeks I might just phone the GP and ask. Prepared for them just to say leave it a bit longer. Feeling really down about everything today it's been months now of questioning and worrying. What if something is wrong?

Anyho. What have you ladies been up to
This weekend? Hannah I wonder if you have caught?!! Exciting!! Xx

Gutting KtKaye! I thought for sure this was it! Hmm maybe paint the bathroom, give you a break from reports and school work.

Hi to everyone! Novinophobia, whereabouts in the midlands are you from?
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That's great news Hannah!

Welcome Novinophobia good tip about what to look for in CM when ovulating!
I'm now on day 6 after stopping the Pill, was optimistic for AF to make an appearance this weekend after stomach cramps, bloating and feeling very emotional by Thursday... Nothing to report as yet though, maybe I was being a bit optimistic...!
Hope you are all having a good weekend x

Fantastic news Hannah, get to it!!!

Yay Hannah!!!

Hi all! How is everyone? Currently sat in bed pondering whether or not to get up and paint the bathroom (our flat is always mid- some sort of decoration) or whether to take advance of a husband free day to catch up on my reports. So far I have eaten an out of date pancake and realised I've forgotten to post my dad a Father's Day card. Whoops.

My spotting earlier this week clearly didn't herald a period as I've had nothing for two days again. Feeling a bit fed up tbh, thought I was getting back to normal. The AF wait is still on! X

Hi everyone, I hope it's ok to join in. I came off Marvelon about 6 weeks ago, had an initial withdrawal bleed and then a cycle of 35 days before the next period. I was really surprised it came as quickly, as I stopped the pill for a few months last year whilst I was having hormone tests to investigate for PCOS (which I probably do have), and had much longer cycles. I have been on the pill for the best part of 12 years

With regard to time of ovulation, I think it usually happens 10-14 days before AF. Without wanting to sound gross, it coincides roughly with when your cervical mucus turns clear and very stretchy - this makes it easier for the swimmers to make their way up the channel!

I am 31 by the way, trying for first child and live in the midlands. I am actually a doctor, although am not an expert in O&G. Pleased to meet you all!

Been away for a couple of days at a wedding so was nice to spend time with DH although in only on CD 9 today! I'm 27 live in Abrrdeen. TTC no 1 and been off mercilon for 9 months (although 1st month TTC). I'm blosted and still a hormonal wreck around AF. Must say I got my sex drive back after a few months of coming off the pill and am so horny (sorry!!) when I suspect I'm due to OV!!