Light periods after stopping pill

[HRMC87]

I stopped taking my pill in December and TTC since. I have had really regular periods since but they are so light! The same every time, period pains start on the Sunday night and I don't get it til the Friday. Last for 2-3 days and I can get away with wearing only one pad everyday. Getting worried now, I know it takes time for them to get back to normal but I have had 4 and they were never like this before! Anyone had anything similar with success?

@Desperateforababa that's such wonderful news, congratulations! And thank you for sharing on here - you're right that light periods/thin lining don't necessarily mean you can't get pregnant, and I'm sure your story will bring hope to lots of women!

Hi all - I know this thread is getting older now but I'm in the same position. I came off the pill 5 months ago. I had a four day withdrawal bleed then I've had 1-2 day light periods since and no luck TTC.
I've been spotting the 4 days before mu period and now I've been on this period will be even lighter than usual.
Is the Facebook group still going? I'm finding this really difficult to deal with already knowing I won't get GP support for another 7 months at least.
Congratulations to those who got their babies and baby dust to those still trying 💗

Hi @Hughesy91, I think the Facebook group is still going but is a bit quiet now. For me, it took about 6 months for my period to return after stopping the pill, and probably another 6 months for them to regulate (fortunately I was not TTC at that point). It is a long wait but things may still be normal for you. My problem then was that they remained light and I also had spotting a few days before. Turned out I had a polyp and removing that solved the problem.

If you are still quite young then it may be that waiting a bit longer will do the trick. How long were you on the pill for?

Otherwise, when I was TTC with these problems and nothing happened after ~6 months, I had a gut feeling something wasn’t right and paid privately (not easily but I don’t regret it, as I suspect I’d still be waiting if on the nhs).

Aw I'm sorry to hear this - it is super stressful! It took us 8 months in the end and what I have learnt from various pregnancy groups is how normal this was and how very lucky we were actually. It took 10 months or so for my periods to start getting a bit more normal after pill. I was so worried that I had some scans which showed thin lining but it didn't stop us getting pregnant. I think often if you look for a problem, you'll probably find something that is a bit off average but most people don't because of the 1 year wait. If I were to give myself the same advice again, I would say be patient, your body is still recovering after being on the pill and it will happen. I do regret spending money on private checks now that I know how normal waiting a bit longer is. Easier said than done but hold tight - most people do get there without help and for those that need it, the odds are very good.

@Dinosaurus86 @Desperateforababa

Thank you both for replying so quickly!

It is reassuring to hear about other people's experiences.

I was on the pill for 14 years. I did briefly come off last year then went back on and I think that made things worse.

I also did a 21 day progesterone test and my levels were low which might explain the spotting.

I think I'll give it 3-4 more months then go to the doctor. I can't believe I expected to get pregnant straight away 😂

Hi all

I'm still TTC 6 months later, 10 months in total. If anyone is still part of that FB group or is having problems, please feel free to message. I've found this thread a massive source of comfort over the last 6 months and I got so invested in everyone's individual stories (congratulations to those that conceived!)

I got a private scan in May which showed a 5mm lining around ovulation, so thin. I had an ultrasound for an unrelated issue and mentioned TTC. She told me my lining was 8mm on CD28 (I got my period the next day) which sounds thick but not when ovulation has long since past (I ovulate around CD12/13). She saw a follicle which was good. My husbands tests all came back as excellent.

I've got a progesterone test booked next week then I will get referred to my local NHS fertility clinic (I told them I'd been trying for one year), which is good because I'm sick of being dismissed by GP's.

I also did a thyroid test and my hormones were good but I had high TPO antibodies which are linked to infertility (and miscarriage though I've never been pregnant) so I am on a gluten free diet and taking selenium to try and reduce them.

I've found TTC incredibly distressing, depressing and lonely. So feel free to reach out if you are struggling too.

Hi all,

I’m new here and I realise this thread is getting older and older. However I wanted to post as reading about everyone’s journeys has really given me some hope and great information about light periods after coming off BC (which is non-existent online) so thanks everyone for sharing.

I was on the implant for 3 years and then a progesterone only pill for about 1.5 years (so not that long really). I stopped taking the pill in January (about 9 months ago) and since then my periods have been light only lasting about two days. Over the past few months I’ve been having spotting 2-4 days before period, but this month it was 6 days before! Ofc I got my hopes up for implantation bleeding given the timeframe haha. can’t remember if I’ve had the spotting since coming off pill but it feels like it’s started since TTC? Who knows. Anyway it’s great to hear that it’s something that can regulate over time. We have only been TTC for 4 months but my anxiety has been through the roof. Hoping I can relax a bit now and see what happens.

@Hughesy91 I have also been finding it distressing and lonely as none of my friends are at the stage of wanting children yet. I hope everything went okay with the appointment you had scheduled. Would love to hear about it.

X

@LifeOfRiley63 Hello! What you have described here is my situation exactly!! Even down to the 16 months ttc. Please can you tell me if you got help/what happened? I’d really appreciate it xxxxx

Hello all,

I thought I would also share my experience of this. I stopped taking the pill in April last year, I had been on it for 10 years before this. My periods came back straight away in the May and have been regular ever since (25-27 day cycles however so a bit short). My concern is how light my periods are. I'm probably getting bright red blood for around 24 hours, however this isn't even enough for a tampon, mainly just when I wipe then I'll get a small amount on a pad, however I probably could get away without wearing one. Then the following 24 hours is just brown discharge. I'm only 29 so worried this isn't normal.

I'm not at the point of TTC yet as we're in the process of buying a house first and have our wedding later this year. I suppose I just wanted to share my experience, I'm going to try and help this with diet and lifestyle first before seeing a doctor, however if anyone had any tips then please let me know x

Hi all

ive been off my BC since October and my periods have been so light. Spotting for a few days, mostly red but not needing a pad and then a day and a half needing a pad but only light bleeding.

I’m so worried it’s because I have a thin lining and TTC is futile.

im 32 and my partner is 34 so the doctor won’t see us until 12 months (because he’s not yet 35 🙄)

wishing baby dust for you all!

Hi all, just a bit of an update. I've been trying flax seeds for the past month - one teaspoon most days, just mixing it in with my rice and other foods where possible. I've also been taking evening primrose oil, vitamin E and a multivitamin with iron supplement.

I've also focused more on my diet and been running 3 times a week.

My period started yesterday - my cycle was longer (been averaging 25-26 days since coming off the pill but this month it was 28). And although only on second day, my flow seems to be noticeably heavier. Still light and not as heavy as it used to be, but a lot better than it has been.

Not sure what's impacted it or whether it's a coincidence, but I'll continue with the flax seeds and supplements and see how I go!