Came off the pill 10m ago - periods still irregular...

[piccolo22]

I came off the pill 10 months ago and my cycles so far have been 80d, 60d, then 150d...

I've had two lots of blood tests done at the doctors, and an internal scan.
Blood tests all normal. Scan showed cysts but doctor doesn't think it is PCOS as my blood tests are all normal. I've been told to wait two more months to see if things regulate.

I'd be interested to know of other experiences after this length of time - have your periods suddenly gone back to normal, or did your cycles gradually reduce in length?

Thank you in advance - I'm trying to be patient...!

I had the same thing, completely random periods still 12 months later (biggest gap was 5 months). We were referred to the fertility specialists, everything came back normal, but they agreed to start me on Clomid to try and kick start everything. Anyway, two weeks before I started it I found out I was pregnant So they never went back to normal, but it didn't actually matter in the end. I was also a bit impatient

Hey piccolo, commenting because if be interested to hear peoples advice on this one too.

Stopped the pill at the very end of December and still haven't seen AF, except for one instance of brown CM in February.

Out of interest, did your doctor say that you were ovulating even in the absence of AF?

Hi, I stopped pill in v early oct and have had 2 periods: late jan and mid march. I have heard it takes 3-9 months to get back to normal. Interested to hear others experiences though as when I came off pill to conceive dd they were regular but v long (c. 45 days between bleeds).

Prior to ever taking pill I was 28 days like clockwork. Makes me feel a little funny about the pill.

I've got a docs appointment next week but that's cause I have other weird things too and I think they suspect pcos.

Just feel a bit sad about it all.

Thanks for your comments ladies.
SherbertLemon - yes the doc could tell I was ovulating from the blood tests.
I saw a friend this evening who stopped the pill a year ago and she said it has taken a whole year for her to get nearly back to normal.
I've started to take Agnus Castus as a natural remedy in the meantime, lots of reviews online saying positive things about helping to regulate periods.

Hi all - just found this thread and hello to Sherbert who I've met on another thread! My stats: came off pill Aug 2013, had a w/d bleed then 10 weeks before first 'normal' af and then another 10 weeks for second af which came in Dec and lasted a whole month until Jan. Now nothing since Jan (18 weeks and counting). Have started to watch my body tho and i think i've ov'd each month at the same time despite no af.

Went for a blood test and got results this week - slightly high LH hormone but all else normal and my Dr has told me to carry on ttc until August i.e. a whole year. Did say to go back in 6 weeks for another blood test if still no af...

Very annoying because can't time dtd at all so i've started poas daily to see if I'm reading my body right and trying to be healthy in the meantime taking folic acid etc! May have to look into the Agnus Castus thing...good luck to you all!

Yes, it can take a year for it to regulate. I would stay away from the Agnus castus - it can actually make your cycle worse!

I think your doctor was a bit quick to dismiss pcos. Your bloods may have been fine, but they saw cysts and in combination with irregular periods you have two symptoms that indicate pcos. I would ask to be referred to a fertility specialist. It's good news that you're ovulating with long cycles though, that means that you can still get pregnant on your own, without any help. Although it is frustrating to have long cycles.

I stopped the pill in April last year and got my first period over three months later. After this, my cycles were long, always more than 6 weeks. My bloods came back fine too (FSH/LH/testosterone) except for ovulation - so was referred to a specialist. They diagnosed pcos. They did another progesterone test and this time it did show ovulation and I got my BFP! This was almost a year after stopping the pill.

What blood tests were done and what hormone levels were measured?. If these were taken on the wrong days the test results are actually meaningless.

The pill actually leaves your system very quickly after taking the last tablet. There is no real evidence to suggest the pill is responsible for failure to ovulate but what it can do is mask symptoms of any underlying hormonal imbalance.

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. With cycles as you describe it is highly likely you are not ovulating regularly if at all.

I also think your doc was too quick to dismiss PCOS given that the ultrasound showed cystic follicles (these are not cysts in the usual sense of the word). Many GPs are not all that up to speed when it comes to such problems anyway.

Lay off taking the AC as well, this can actually make underlying hormonal problems far worse.

I would also be requesting a referral to a subfertility unit from the GP and do not take no for an answer.

Thanks ladies - seen enough on here to steer clear of the Agnus then...! I'm going to trust the Dr tip August (one year of trying) then I'm going to kick off if I don't get anywhere. I figure a couple more months won't harm and we're really busy anyway so will distract me enough till that time...

Thought I would post my latest on this in case anyone was watching the thread. After my 150d cycle I went back to the docs who referred me to a fertility clinic. I decided to pay for a private apt at The Lister in London. In between both appointments, I got my period at 43d - hurrah! Not sure if it was the AC. The specialist diagnosed me with PCOS and has put me on Metformin for three months. If no joy after that she suggested a laparoscopy, then Clomid. Fingers crossed...

Hi Piccolo,

Clomid is usually the first line of treatment and it can sometimes work better if taken in conjunction with Metformin rather than on its own. It should be used with a degree of caution in PCOSers anyway.

Do not accept no monitoring if you are given clomid as its quite powerful stuff. It can also affect hormone levels markedly which is why PCOSers should be monitored whilst on it.

A bit surprised she mentioned the lap op, why was that suggested and importantly for what purpose?. A lap op is usually only done when endometriosis is suspected. Laparoscopic type surgery called ovarian diathermy can have some success in women with PCOS; maybe she was thinking along those lines. That part of your discussion certainly needs further clarification between you two.

Am I alone in thinking that the pill might be an elephant in the room as regards fertility issues/PCOS?
It's such a wonder drug that open criticism of it is rare but I do wonder.
Also as PCOS is linked to diabetes why do doctors not talk about low carb diets? They are too keen to prescribe pills.

Hey Piccolo - good to hear your update and got everything crossed for things sorting out. Hope you're being reviewed and watched on the meds.

I'm at day 143 without af still. Now had two blood tests and results normal. Have appt to see dr on weds and am gunning for a standoff. Will not be fobbed off. Am also considering private tests just to get the ball rolling.

Attila - great advice from you and will be watching and listening closely...!