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?

@Hope365 would you mind keeping us updated on the treatment path for this?

I also have very light periods since coming off the pill (12 years on it) i am lucky to get 2 full days and even then it isn't heavy. I went to the doctors and she wasn't concerned at all, she said as long as it's regular that's what matters. I have had hormone blood tests, and ovulation blood tests. And also an internal pelvic scan. Everything came back fine. I specifically asked about the lining at the scan and the doctor said everything was normal. I was on CD 9 on the scan so my worry is how would they know about the lining at that point, surely its to soon?

However I have been ttc for 15 months and nothing! So I am wondering if it does matter.

Xxx

Hi @Maisy24, of course, happy to keep you updated!
Your situation sounds very much like mine - I was on the pill for 14 years, and have now been TTC for 13 months with no success (and crazy light periods). Like you my doctor wasn't concerned about the light flow, just regularity - my periods were actually also irregular but seemed to have settled a bit now (though still quite long cycles). My basic tests also came back all normal - hormone blood tests and scan, but like you the scan was early in my cycle so I worried it wasn't the right time to check lining. We got referred to a fertility clinic quite quickly (think we got lucky!), but even there they dismissed the light periods, until I pushed to have a tracked cycle - where they do a number of scans throughout - and found that my lining was way too thin during the luteal phase (5 mm). All that to say that in my experience you really need to push to get your lining checked - it doesn't seem to be a standard test... I guess cases like mine are rare and most of the time light periods don't mean lining issues - I hope that's the case for you - so they don't tend to worry about it.
They have finally acknowledged the problem and I have now been referred to see an endocrinologist to decide on possible treatment, though unfortunately that appointment isn't until February - I'm trying to move it forward though so I will keep you posted as soon as I find out more. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat more (if DM is possible on mumsnet? This is my first time using it!)
Xxx

@Hope365 that sounds exactly like me! Thanks for replying it's reassuring to know someone else is having this experience. Annoying the appointment isn't until February but that will be here before you know it with Christmas in between! I also don't know how to DM 🙈 or I would as it sounds like we could be ttc buddies!

Are you with the nhs? Wondering if this is something they will do. If I haven't conceived this month then I'm going back to the doctors and asking them to check my lining. I'm not a very forceful person so I struggle but I honestly do think it's odd to have such a light period and I think it's the lining!

Xxxx

@Maisy24 yes I am with the NHS. The scans were done through the fertility clinic though, I'm not sure it's something your GP would organise. If you've been trying for 15 months though you can definitely get referred to a fertility clinic so I would do that if you haven't already - hopefully you wouldn't have to wait too long for the referral, then when you get to the clinic that's where you would push for them to check your lining. I totally get the not being forceful thing - I'm the same - but this fertility journey is making me much more pushy then I ever thought possible! I just care (and worry!) too much about this to sit back and be passive...
I've sent you a DM - turns out we have an inbox on Mumsnet (though it took me a while to find!) Xxx

@Hope365 @Maisy24 would love to know how you two get on also! Just been reading through your posts and I've also been referred by my gp to the fertility clinic ( awaiting app) to look into my periods as they are practically non existent and very light when they do decide to show up! In a bitter sweet way it's nice to know I'm not alone with this as I'm TTC also and it seems most people I know don't have these problems! X

Hi @ForeverHopeful67, I know what you mean about it being nice finding others with a similar problem - outside of these forums I feel like the only person in the world going through this! Will be good to share how each of us gets on, and what we learn from our respective appointments - I find that what we're told and what treatments are suggested can vary so much doctor to doctor... How long have you been TTC? And were you also on the pill for a long time before? X

Hi all!

I am in a similar situation at the moment. Started taking the pill when I was 14 due to hellish cramps and was on Microgynon for 9 years then put onto Cerelle for just over 4years. Had no period at all on Cerelle and asked my doctor if this would cause problems later on and she was insistent it wouldn't. I stopped taking the pill on May 17th this year and took approx 4 weeks until I got a slight show although it was more of a light brown discharge. I have had regular cycles since, between 28-30days and have all the symptoms of a period but it is still soooo light. Last month it was slightly heavier and darker brown and I thought it was maybe regulating but this month it is so light you wouldn't even notice it if you were wearing dark coloured underwear. I know it's my period as it's on time but I'm just so confused to why this is happening? It's only been 6months so not sure if it's just my body getting used to the fact I didn't have a period at all for almost 5 years. My husband and I aren't in any major rush (he is 27 and I have just turned 28) but I'd like to know sooner rather than later if there is an issue. I spoke to the nurse and she said as long as I was getting any sort of bleed regularly then this is normal but I don't know. My cramps were horrendous this month but barely anything to show for it. I have a phone appointment with the doctor in the morning. Just feeling emotional and rubbish about it all at the minute. Doesn't help that I have anxiety 😅 sigh

Hi both @ForeverHopeful67 @JennaRMD let's all try and keep eachother updated on this forum, hopefully we can share any advice we get ❤️

I'm on for 15 months ttc (only properly trying for about 10) My last three cycles have only just returned to normal lengths of around 28 to 33 days, I am really wondering if it is a case of our bodies trying to get back to normal and taking a while, it seems odd we have all been on the pill for so long.

On the other side I wanted to share some positive stories, my nanna has 7 children and said she hardly bled whatsoever, also my auntie said she thought she would find it hard to conceive as she hardly lost any blood but conceived two quickly. This makes me wonder if it's a non issue and we just focus on something that is out of the normal.

Then again like @Hope365 it could be due to lining so definitely worth checking, I'm giving it this cycle and then going back to the doctors to push for an appointment at a fertility clinic.

Looking forward to sharing this journey with others in the same position! Xxxxxx

@Maisy24 I genuinely think there's a high possibility that it could just be our bodies regulating. As I said all of mine have been every 28-30 days on the dot and all symptoms are exactly as expected. If we are all having incredibly light flows it seems too much of a coincidence. However even though I know this, I still can't help but worry! The joys of being female eh??!! Also, is it just me or did anybody else think this whole TTC thing didn't take as much time and effort as it seems to be? Maybe I was just naïve lol.

@JennaRMD how long have you been ttc? Haha you definitely are not the only one. I thought I'd come off my pill after my wedding and be pregnant in a few months maximum! It's because they drill into us in school about being careful , "it only takes one time and you'll be pregnant" well I'm on for about 100 times and still nothing 🤣 xxxxx

@Maisy24 I've only been off the pill for 6 months and only really been TTC for 2 or 3. If I'm being honest I didn't really think I would nees to TTC, we were kind of on the mindset that we would just play it by ear and it would happen by Christmas, naturally. Ha! How wrong was I? As I said it's not that we are in any major rush at the minute but would hate to wait a year or 2 down the line and find out something was wrong. Just trying to nip it in the bud early if there is anything wrong so we still have time to fix it of we can.

@Hope365 @Maisy24

I was actually on the pill for 4 years or so then the injection for another 5/6 years, had my last injection in September 2018 and my body hasn't been the same since!

• because obviously it's drilled into you when you're younger that you have unprotected sex once you get pregnant immediately right?! Little did they know 

I've been actively TTC since March. Currently "on" now if that's what you can call it, came on yesterday and barely need a panty liner today!!

@JennaRMD welcome goodluck with your phone appointment tomorrow! Keep us all updated.

I called the docs again this morning and they told me my referral has definitely been processed now so just waiting for a date!

Love having other people to talk to about this fingers crossed for positive outcomes for us all xx

Hi all - these bloody pills! If only I knew aged 14 when I went on for heavy periods that it wouldn't be just a straight forward stop then get pregnant. Funny that I've spent those years obsessing over missed pills and accidental pregnancy, then when you actually want to conceive well that's a different story!
I was on microgynon for about 11 years, stopped it on 19th sept, finished withdrawal bleed as normal on 28th sept then big fat nothing since - negative OPKs, no symptoms of anything (even though I've been trying really hard to give myself non existent symptoms 😂).
Think I'll go to my GP in about a months time if nothings happened by then as that would be 3 months with no AF xx

Same here. I went to the doctors yesterday after coming off the pill in January. The doctor said they won't intervene unless you have been trying for 12 months or have a known fertility issue. I was diagnosed with PCOS at 16 so they were happy to do bloods. I must admit I really don't think a doctor would do anything at all so soon after being off the pill. I waited 74 days before getting mine. My friend waited 6 months. My cycles are 40 days plus (currently day 48) 11 months on... its tiresome.

My doctor didn't seemed in the slightest bit concerned about the lightness of my flow or the few days before my period of 'old' tar like blood 🤨 I'll get my results 4th December

@Mycrazylife85 I definitely think it's the pill, I just wish I'd been told this before I went on it for bad period pains in my teens! Let us know how you get on with your results and fingers crossed everything is fine xxx

@ForeverHopeful67 thank you!! I'm still currently waiting on the phone appointment from the doctor but I have a feeling she is going to tell me "not to worry" and it's "totally normal" etc. Also, I am the same, came "on" Saturday morning and was little more than a smear of dark brown. Last 2 days has been virtually non existent except when you scrutinise the toilet paper 😅 jesus what has become of my life lol!?

@Maisy24 @Mycrazylife85 it must be the pill surely? No way we can all have so much in common otherwise? I also spoke to the nurse a few months back who told me the same thing but in my eyes, if everything was all ok, surely I'd be pregnant by now? I find it all very confusing, like you I spent all my life worrying about not getting pregnant and thought we would fall quickly so that is why I waited until 27 to come off the pill. If I had known it would take longer I would have gave myself a head start after my wedding last year 😣. So tired of feeling lowsy and worrying at the end of every month, the guessing game is starting to get to me a little.

@JennaRMD how did you get on with your phone appointment in the end? I hope you got some of the answers you wanted and not just fobbed off! I know what you mean about scrutinising toilet paper - we sound crazy!!haha

Also not sure if this helps anyone at all, but has anyone ever heard of Vitex / Agnus cactus? @Maisy24 @Mycrazylife85 I've seen a lot about them on this site for people who have abnormal periods especially after stopping contraception so thought I would give them a try. Been on them a few weeks and just as I thought my non existent period was coming to an end again on day two today I've had the heaviest period I've had since coming off contraception with actual red blood! ( haha) obviously may not work for everyone but just thought I would share my experience as I know what it feels like to be desperate to try anything and have answers!xx

@ForeverHopeful67 she said that the lightness isn't anything to be overly concerned about and that I might just have really light periods. Due to the fact that I've been on birth control for most of my developmental stage, she said it's likely I have just missed the change. Although tbf, as much as I can't remember what my last natural period was like (at age 14) I know it was never red or heavy, always relatively light flow and a browny colour. So 14 years later it's possible my body has just changed slightly. She also said that if I'm having period pains, most of the time that is a sign that you've ovulated and I know I'm ovulating because I've had positive Ovulation tests in the past 2 months. She did offer to take bloods to ease my worrying but she said she didn't feel it was at all necessary at the minute especially with only been off for 6months. I felt better after speaking to a professional, still have the worry in the back of my mind but if nothing is changing or happening within the next 3-6 months, she said to go back and they will look into it further.
I feel like at 28 I'm a total geriatric or something 😂, she said to me "Jenna, you are 28, not 38 or 48, you have time". Tbh I think I am causing myself more stress than necessary and TTC is taking the fun out of us just "being together", think I might try chill for a couple months over Xmas and see what happens. Think the over thinking and anxiety is likely not helping the whole baby making situation lol!

Hi ladies, great to be able to talk with you all about this! Totally agree with the frustrations of having been so carefull all these years only to find it's bloody impossible to get pregnant once you come off the pills! It sounds like lots of you haven't been off for very long though, so fingers crossed it is just a case of waiting a little longer for your bodies to regulate. In my case it's been a long time and my periods are still just as light (and all brown like some of you mentioned), and the doctors at the fertility clinic have confirmed that I have thin lining... Apparently it can be a rare side effect of being on the pill for a long time - this really frustrates me as I always used to ask the doctors when I would renew my pill prescription whether they were sure it would have no adverse effects on my fertility, and they always dismissed the question and said no. But here i am... Anyway, onwards and upwards! I've got an endocrinologist appointment in Feb that I'm trying to get pushed forward, so hopefully I'll have some answers and treatment options soon...

@ForeverHopeful67 fingers crossed your referral comes through quickly! Have you had any of the basic blood tests done at your GP in the meantime? I've heard a lot about Vitex but was never sure about trying it as I'm not sure exactly what it does (bit paranoid about all the pills!) - sounds like could definitely be worth trying though, if you're getting a heavier period! What dose have you been taking?

@JennaRMD glad the doctor was reassuring, and you're totally right about all the stress not helping... It's so hard to just 'relax' though when it's something we want this bad!

@Maisy24 thank you for the amazing positive stories about your family, we need all the positive stories we can get!

Xxx

A few of my friends who were on injection etc said they took approx 1year to fall (either side of a year anyway for 2 of them) the other fell within 6 weeks 😂. I really just think for me, it's best to play it by ear until the 1year mark and hopefully it sorts itself out. If not I'll obviously look back into it but I really think the whole obsessing thing is probably not helping me atm. It's just difficult to feel ok when it's constantly in the back of your mind but we have time ❤️

Hi @Hope365 how long have you been off the pill for? It's so frustrating when doctors say contraception isn't going to affect you and then it does to so many people!! Really hope you can get your appointment brought forward from Feb - goodluck!
I've had all my bloods and interns scans etc and all looks fine, although I know I'm definitely not ovulating after doing OPK's.
I was hesitant with taking the tablets too after everything but I just thought I've waited over a year now and still nothing so what have I got to lose! And they're only a vitamin that's sold at Holland and Barratt, which is a really low dose, 45mg or something I think! So could be worth a try for you 

@JennaRMD I agree sometimes the obsessing and worrying over everything can make things worse and I hear it's happened for a few people when they start " not trying " so fingers crossed for you xx

@ForeverHopeful67 I've been off the pill since May 2018 and TTC since September 2018. I actually got a call from the clinic yesterday - there was a cancellation so my appointment has been brought forward to 10th December!! So so happy about this! It's the first time I will be seeing a hormone specialist - really hoping I will finally get some answers about my thin lining and non-existent periods... and hopefully a treatment plan too! 🤞 I will keep you all posted on what I find out.
You say your blood tests all came back fine but you know you're not ovulating based on OPKs - did they not do a day 21 progesterone test to confirm ovulation? Yes vitex does sound like it might be worth a go, think I might ask about it at my appointment!
Xxx

@Hope365 that's amazing!!! So happy your appointment has been moved forward! Now you can get a plan together before Xmas 😃 keep us all posted on the appointment.

@ForeverHopeful67 they should definitely do a day 3-5 test and a day 21 test for progesterone, this will tell you if you've ovulated.

I'm 3dpo today. Send me lots of luck ladies we've really done everything we can this month! Xxxxx

@Maisy24 massive good luck for the TWW! You mentioned in a post you were trying vitamin E - is this your first cycle trying it? Fingers crossed it works some magic for you! Keep us posted on how you get on xxx
I'm on CD13 and waiting to ovulate - doesn't usually happen for me until CD19/20 so still a little while to go...