When would you/did you seek medical advice?

[rosiegal]

My question relates to cycles after the pill, some days it really upsets me (today!) and I'm wondering what other people did?
About me, well I stopped cerazette last September and had light AF/withdrawal bleed in Oct. I then had AF again November, nothing in December but then AF 9th Jan, on both occasions AF was light.
I'm 31 & ttc#1, no history of dodgy cycles/pcos etc, not overweight. Not 100% sure I'm even ovulating.
So I know I could just be too impatient but I'm wondering when I should actually bother a doctor with all this? I'm desperate to get my cycle back on track but I dont really know whats normal after the pill and what should be investigated. Any thoughts lovely ladies?

Hi rosie. I think I'm at the same stage as you. 31 ttc#1 came of Cerazette in early Oct no history of dodgy cycles although it's been a long time (10 years!). Think they were longer than average - maybe 30-35days but can't remember and wasn't bothered back then!

Are you temping/using OPKs?

I did a bit in Dec and everyday this month but none the wiser really. Don't seem to have ovulated and on CD19 now. Had obvious OV signs in Dec (excm and slight cramps) but my temp charts didn't show anything so no idea what went on - I've heard you HAVE to have a temp rise if you OV.

My AFs have both been lighter than usual too. Maybe it's our bodies getting used to the idea.

It might be wise to go to a GP anyway just to chat through things and to "register" that you're ttc. That way if you're not successful in a year you have proof you've been trying.

I'm thinking about doing that myself - just not got round to it yet.

Sorry, not much help really but maybe it's good to know someone else is in the same boat?? Chances are everything will be fine though I'm sure. Think positive (or should that be BF Positive!) x

Hi Pebble and thanks for the reply, I recognise your name so I think we've 'spoken' before. A few months back when I was oh so much more positive!
I managed about a month with OPKs, mainly because I read that they may not be effective because my hormones were all over the place after the pill. I bought a BBT thermometer and its currently sat in the kitchen drawer, not sure how good they are but confident it wont do the job from there. So you could say that I could try harder but because my cycles are so messed up part of me thinks these tracking methods wont help. I've been keeping an eye on ewcm and am definitely getting this, have also been monitoring cervical position.
Currently I'm CD11 with slightly sore niples and could cry at the drop of a hat. I'm thinking I may see the doc at the end of this month........
I truly hope you have more success with your cycles

I had a fon

Hold on, I have a stupid phone...

I had a similar experience. I had about three periods in six months after coming off the pill. I did see a GP, and he told me to go away and come back in a few months if they'd still not settled down. I was pregnant two months later. I tried sticks, but I don't think I ever got a positive. We just had a lot of sex.

I think that I have very long cycles, so I have no idea when I actually ovulated - if my pregnancy was dated by my last period, then I was a month overdue... we went by the scan dates. I realise that we were probably very fortunate, but in the absence of any other problems, I hope it's just a matter if time for you.

Thanks, thats reassuring to know. Part of me thinks everything will settle down but the nutter part of my brain is going into overdrive. I've never been through this before, never even had a pregnancy scare so its all new to me.

Now convinced I'm not ovulating. Very little ewcm and temp is still low. We've dtd loads (for us...cd11,14,16,17,19)and now feeling grumpy about the whole thing.

I had what might have been a positive OPK on cd18 but find them open to interpretation when trying to tell what darker is!

I know I should stop stressing as it's probably making things worse but how do you do that? As soon as I try to stop myself thinking about it, I'm thinking about it!! Any calming techniques welcome.

I would say that after 12 months of ttc you should see your GP. However, if your periods are not regular then I would make an appointment now as there may be issues that can be dealt with easily.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advise, I think I will make an appointment at the end of the month.
Can totally relate to you Pebble I too am getting grumpy, frustrated, confused, upset. I suppose on a positive note I'm not getting stressed about 2ww because I've no idea when that would be! I dont really have any tips for chilling out, some days I feel more positive about things. I bought 'Impatient womans guide to getting pregnant' which has some tips and its quite a good read, think it was around £6 on Amazon.

Hi ladies, I have been TTC for a while now (9 months) with no success, my periods are regular as clockwork but when I do my temperatures they dont really have a clear rise. I am pretty sure when I am ovulating (from symptoms) but the uncertainty is still there. I am very stressed at work at the moment but not really sure what to do about that apart from giving up work!! I am looking for another job but I think I would be stressed regardless, I am just that kind of person. Am going to start yoga soon, hoping that might help. I would def say go to your GP until they do something.

Thanks Jenny I'm definitely going to make an appointment once January is out. I'm sorry to hear you're not having any success either, I can only imagine how stressed out I'll be then if it doesn't happen for me. Interestingly, that book I mentioned in my previous post talks about stress and ttc. The author writes that it doesn't always have a negative impact on fertility, quite interesting really. Maybe worth a read if you haven't already? Can't harm and may even teach you something and get your bfp! Good luck x

I saw that book recommended somewhere else, might order a copy. Surely worrying about being stressed is a form of stress in itself? I have actually found I am more relaxed now, after the first few months of excitement, for me I have got to a point where I realise it is going to take a while and I need to concentrate on other things in my life. It still sucks though. Good luck at the docs x

Taking charge of your fertility is a great book!

My sister swore by temping but I am just to lazy for it, so I used cheapy wilko's at 6-7pm (I think there is a positive one on my profile photo's) as it was the only time I got a positive! Then followed the smep which basically is sex every other day till you get a positive then sex for three days in a row miss a day then have sex again. That got me pregnant. Which ended in mmc.

Found out recently I am pregnant again we had sex 4 days before I ovulated and not at all when I was ovulating so I guess either method can work

Good luck!

Congratulations cookie.

It'll be interesting to see if you have a girl as that length of time would in theory have the girl sperm surviving :)

Thats what I told my dh!

Very good question, I came off pill in sept had two regular cycles then last cycle was 40 days long!! Currently waiting for AF on cycle day 32 and no sign of it appearing (sigh). I got scared about my long cycle so did the digital OPKs this month which showed ovulation on day 22 so I felt better knowing I ovulated. I'm seeing the doctor on Monday though because I've had awful symptoms like exhaustion, heart palpitations, dizzy spells, dry skin and moodiness that suggest my hormones are out of whack. I've heard it only takes weeks for the pill to be out your system so I think if your not feeling yourself after a few months get bloods done. Why wait when there is medication out there to regulate cycles which help you get preggars! Sounds like your not ovulating which will probably sort itself out eventually but when your in your thirties time is of the essence. Hoping I get a nice GP though as they may just tell me to come back later!

Congratulations Cookie and I hope it all goes as smoothly as possible for you after the mc. I've still got some cheapy opks here, I did actually get 2 days of positives back in October/November (cant remember exactly) but when I didnt end up pregnant I had a massive strop and stopped using them! Maybe I'll have another go. May even start using the BBT thermometer too....
Thanks too Bump I agree that if theres medication there to help me then I'd like it now please and not in 6 months. I'm considering telling the doc I've been off longer than I actually have, a bit deceitful perhaps but I just wish I knew what was going on.