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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Off pill and still no period

32 replies

chinadolly · 15/08/2013 12:52

I came off the pill at the end of May, I had my normal withdrawal bleed but since then no period. I've had some light spotting but nothing that I would count as a period.
Could I ask you all how long it took for your periods to return? Does the lack of periods mean I'm not ovulating?

OP posts:

blueamber · 15/08/2013 13:38

I came off the pill end of April and had my fist real period beginning of August. I went to the GP, but he said it could take 6 months and he was sure I would get my period soon. I did, a few weeks later.

It does mean you're not ovulating yet. Once you ovulate you have to get your period or else you're pregnant. Your body might be gearing up for ovulation, but not getting there yet, as it could take a while for your hormones to balance out. Don't worry, it will get there.

Do you remember what your periods were like before the pill? They should settle back to that eventually.

RonBurgundysPanpipe · 15/08/2013 13:44

I came off my pill in October and didn't have a period accept the withdrawal bleed until the following April. Conceived dc1 that month though.

I also had lots of symptoms and did countless hpts during that time as never knew if I'd ovulated or not. Went to gps a couple of times and they never seemed concerned.

woodwaj · 15/08/2013 14:41

I came off the pill September last year and started again last month! Like you I had light spotting once in January which I wouldn't have even noticed normally! I also went to the docs and they didn't seem massively concerned! Looks like its just a waiting game for that first period!

Original poster

chinadolly · 15/08/2013 15:45

Thank you everyone for your replies.
I had been on the pill for 9 years so can't really remember what my real periods were like. I know I did have them monthly though.
You don't want to know how many hpt I have taken! It's annoying because I get some symptoms of ovulation like ewcm but my period never arrives.
Would your advice be to carry on dtd regularly until I get my bfp? I was even considering using condoms until my periods returned so I'm not always in limbo wondering whether I'm pregnant.

OP posts:

OrangeLily · 15/08/2013 15:54

I came off implanon implant last year and it took 63 days to get my first period or bleed. Obviously not the same contraception but it might give you an idea!

woodwaj · 15/08/2013 16:14

I was on the pill for 8 years so I couldn't really remember either! Me and my OH were DTD every other day just incase but after a while went to every 3rd day. I have done loads of HPTs as well! Its hard not too!! Good luck!!

blueamber · 15/08/2013 16:58

It's up to you really. For me, I didn't want to wait any longer so kept dtd, but I hated being in limbo as well. Another option is to take your temperature every morning. After ovulation there'll be a temperature shift. However, it takes quite an effort to to this every morning before getting up and it may make you more stressed waiting for that temp shift.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/08/2013 17:22

The pill leaves your system very quickly after taking the last tablet. What the pill can do is mask symptoms of underlying hormonal imbalances.

I would seek medical advice now on this matter, blood tests can be done to see if there are any underlying hormonal imbalances. These blood tests can be done according to calendar days.

A lack of periods means that you are not ovulating.

(It is also quite possible to have periods without ovulating) Symptoms like EWCM are misleading and is actually a poor predictor of ovulation.

blueamber · 15/08/2013 17:28

The pill leaves your system quickly, yes, but then it can take a while for your body to start producing hormones sufficiently again, especially if you've been on the pill for a while. You could have had normal cycles before the pill, but then need some time after to get back to it. It might need up to 6 months to do that. GPs won't do anything before then.

VJONES1985 · 15/08/2013 17:42

I agree. It can take a while for your cycle to settle down and I'm in that horrible limbo stage myself at the moment so I do sympathise. If you're waiting longer than six months, see your doctor as there may be underlying issues.

woodwaj · 15/08/2013 18:15

BlueAmber & VJones are right, the doc most likely wont see you until at least 6 months, I went after and they still didn't really want to see me, I had bloods done and was told I was ovulating when I wasn't. I think the doc was trying to keep me happy till it got to 12 months.

VJONES1985 · 15/08/2013 18:17

Woodwaj - has a reason been found now for why it's taking so long?

woodwaj · 15/08/2013 18:35

Not as yet, I asked to see a different doc so had to have new bloods done, and he tested OH sperm as well which is fine. I have been referred to fertility clinic but the wait was 7-8 weeks so not had my appointment yet that's at the end of this month. However since then period has started still advised to go to my appointment but they have advised they will prob just do new bloods to confirm everything is fine (fingers crossed!)

VJONES1985 · 15/08/2013 18:42

That's great - fingers crossed it just took a while for your cycle to settle but that there's no underlying issues.

woodwaj · 15/08/2013 18:55

Thanks I hope not!!

Original poster

chinadolly · 15/08/2013 19:09

Thank you to everyone for your advice and for sharing your own stories, it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who's been stuck in this limbo. I guess I'm more worried because I'm young and relatively healthy so thought my dh and I would be one of the lucky ones who catch quickly.

I will wait until the 6th month mark to go to my gp, I don't want to go now just to be fobbed off. For now I'll try to relax and stay away from the hpt!!

OP posts:

VJONES1985 · 15/08/2013 19:14

Yeah, just keep dtd every two days and maybe try opks (ovulation prediction kits)?

Tea1Sugar · 15/08/2013 20:28

I had a mirena coil removed In march and was put on the pill instead, though I stopped it after 3 months, period arrived 25 days later followed by a bfp. We're all different, our bodies adjust in their own time. But waiting until the 6th month sounds like a good idea. Good luck!

HickoryDickorySnooze · 15/08/2013 20:36

Another one here who took a while (4 months) to get them back, and another few months to be regular

Took me 11 months to conceive DS after this. Then 4 months to get periods back again (FFeeding)

Never went back on the pill (used condoms) then got pregnant first time we didn't use anything - this month!

I loved the pill but do think it made my hormones a bit unbalanced.

woodwaj · 15/08/2013 20:40

I think its easy to panic because everyone is so different and its hard to find someone similar to confirm it will all be fine! I am sure it wont be long till we all get our bfp's! Congrats Tea!

jenni200 · 15/08/2013 20:47

So glad to find this thread- I am in exactly the same situation. I came off the pill in May (straight after my wedding) as everyone warned me about getting pregnant straight after coming off but haven't had any periods since (and am not pregnant)! Have had some blood tests already as I haven't had a period since I was 14 (lost weight quickly and they never returned despite returning to a healthy BMI) but they came back normal so have been referred for a scan as I am really stressed about it (and think my GP was concerned too due to my history). Fingers crossed! I keep seeing babies and pregnant women everywhere- it is soooo hard and I have realised I am very impatient! Hopefully we will get ovulating soon!

woodwaj · 15/08/2013 21:01

I agree Hickory I liked the pill at the time, but I don't think I would use it again now!

Welcome Jenni Hopefully your scan will be fine, It sounds like you have a good Doc though which is re-assuring!

Original poster

chinadolly · 15/08/2013 21:07

Jenni200 - are you me?! I also got married in May and didn't stop the pill then as I was worried I'd conceive before the wedding. I hope your scan goes well.

OP posts:

jenni200 · 15/08/2013 21:49

chinadolly- haha, we are in the same situation :) Scan in two weeks time so fingers crossed! Keep me posted on your situation too, its really good to have other people to talk to and make me feel like I am not crazy!

MooseBeTimeForSpring · 15/08/2013 21:53

I'd been on the pill for 20 years when I stopped. I went to see my GP after 6 months and he told me to come back at 9 months. I got my period the week before I was due to go back. They were pretty irregular. So irregular I fact that I was 17 weeks pregnant with DS before I found out!

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