Is it worth seeing a doctor? Your experiences please...

[Didyeaye]

Hello

I stopped taking microgynon last December. We were not really trying (as in not doing on specific CDs, not doing is at the right times etc) until August but wasn't so bothered as wanted to give some time for my cycles to settle...they still haven't.

My cycle lengths have been 31, 33, 36, 38, 28, 52, 42. I'm currently on CD 35, got a positive opk on day 28 (first cycle using them) so, assuming I have an average LP, expecting this cycle to be 42/43 days.

My questions are...has anyone experienced this and been to see their doctor? If so, what did the doctor say? I realise that medical advice is generally specific to the person receiving it, but suppose I'm wondering if it's worthwhile going to see my doctor. I know there's also conflicting advice about whether or not it takes time for cycles to regulate after the pill. I was on it for 12 years from my second period so no idea what my cycles would have been like without the pill!

Please share your experiences with me?

According to the nhs website, it can take up to six months for cycles to settle after the pill and if a couple under 35 has not conceived after 12 months, investigations may begin. So, yes, in your situation I would go to a doctor. Good luck!

Thanks V I kinda thought it was going ok till it all went wrong 4 cycles in! Then I got excited at the 28 day one and got excited! I keep saying 'I'll wait til my next period, then I'll have another statistic to add' but at that rate I could be waiting til cycle 40 before I do owt about it!

Maybe I won't get AF this cycle so won't need to go. Ha! wishful thinking

I went to the GP for irregular cycles 6 months after stopping the pill. The first GP wanted to wait longer before doing anything, but the second GP did some blood tests. However, he does not want to refer me to a specialist until we've been ttc for a year. I do not agree with this though and read some NICE guidelines on fertility. These guideline say that they refer you after a year of ttc if there have been no indications anything is wrong, but they may refer earlier if there are some obvious issues. This would include irregular cycles.

I also heard from a doctor on MN here that it can take up a year for your cycles to stabilise, but if they show no signs of settling after 6 months, it would be best to investigate your hormonal profile. I think this is a bit confusing, so should you wait 6 or 12 months then?

So I would say, go see your GP, but I know it really depends on the person what happens next.

Actually the pill leaves your system very quickly after taking the last tablet.

Your cycles have certainly lengthened over time, particularly the last two which are probably anovulatory ones. A "normal" cycle is a cycle length of between 21 and 35 days or with less than 4 days of variation from month to month.

I would seek medical advice now and if the GP is clueless ask for a referral to a gynae at a subfertility unit. Some GPs as well are not up to speed generally with regards to such issues and it can be too easy to be fobbed off.

I was referred on a similar basis after 6 months; it took a further 6 months for the referral letter to arrive.

Thanks blamber and atilla

You both made good points and I had heard about the tycoon for a year before investigations but also think, even if I'm not referred after I see the GP on my first visit then at least it's in record IYKWIM?

I also know that the pill can mask problems cos u obv get regular bleeds while on the pill (depending which one) so I'm not thinking it's related to taking the pill, more that I could never have known I had such irregular cycles while I was on it!

Thanks all, GP for me then!

Haha ttc not tycoon!