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?

@MrsKirsty - welcome! Your situation sounds very much like mine. Been off the pill for 6months and been TTC for about 3 now. Very light periods (more like brown spotting) for 3-4days (barely enough to even notice on knickers, sorry if tmi) but still getting cramps and every cycle is 28-30days. Doctor has said the lightness is nothing to worry about and as long as I'm getting "something" on a "regular basis" and cramping (apparently cramps are a sign you have ovulated that month) then she doesn't think anything is wrong. I wasn't really trying to start with as just kind of wanted it to happen by itself but I have looked back on my tracker app last week and have noticed I think we may have been missing the window (I wasn't doing ovulation tests then) and/or perhaps not DTD often enough. Like you I kind of thought I was pregnant last month as I was a day late, had no period symptoms and we had DTD every 2nd for over a week (we were on holiday so had a lot of time on our hands haha 😂) but woke up the day after with hellish cramps abd light spotting. I've stopped overly trying again this month as I was getting really obsessed with it (I have slight ocd and anxiety so none of this helps with baby making). If I'm not pregnant this month I'm planning on just enjoying the festive period and then starting to focus more on it again in the new year. My doctor assures me she thinks everything is fine but if not pregnant by May (1year of TTC) then to go in. I've just turned 28 so I feel I have some time. Just so glad I came off when I did as I was thinking of staying on for another year or so as we weren't in any rush. 🤦

@Maisy24 good luck for tomorrow!!! Let us know how you get on and if its another BFN then go and blow of some steam for the weekend. Hell you deserve it!!! Xx

@JennaRMD thank you! I'm not hopeful I just don't feel it this month, but think I'm past symptom spotting at this stage 🤣

It sounds like you and @MrsKirsty could be the second set of ttc twins 😄

Wishing us all lots of luck!!! And I'll keep you updated tomorrow when i test. Xxxx

Hi @MrsKirsty, thanks for joining us 😊 Although I wouldn't wish these issues on anyone, I would definitely say the more the merrier when it comes to this group - it's so nice to have some support and know we are not alone... When I first started to worry about my light periods I did exactly the same as you - googled and started to panic about all the early menopause stuff, because that was all that came up! If it can make you feel any better, I've had all the early menopause tests done (FSH, AMH and antral follicle count) and they all came back fine. For me it does seem to be related to thin lining, which apparently long-term use of the pill can cause - but no one ever talks about this, and doctors always just dismiss light periods! I also get a lot of cramps - for me it's a week of discomfort around ovulation time, then cramps for at least 7 days leading up to my period, every month 🙄 Are you temping at all, or using OPKs? I think regular periods don't necessarily mean ovulation so it might be worth checking that.

@Maisy24 how are you feeling? Are you still planning on testing today? Thinking of you 🤗

I'm officially in the TWW - 2DPO today, here we go again! Xxx

I think we all wrote at the same time so I didn't see all those other messages! 😂

Actually looking back you all wrote those messages last night so I'm having an issue with the messages not updating...

@Maisy24 how did the test go? Hope you have a good weekend regardless ❤️

Happy birthday @Maisy24!! Hope you're having a great time away with your friends 🤗 xxx

@Maisy24 I hope you're having a lovely weekend, let us know how you got on with your test, sending all the good vibes your way!
So glad to hear you had bloods and was nothing to do with menopause. Luckily we're all far too young to be worrying about that yet, Google just loves the worst case scenario and to freak people out!!

@JennaRMD yes I'm the same with the spotting! Have 2-3 days before each period and few days after too. I also wanted to just let it happen but I started opks pretty early as I didn't know my cycle. I always pick up the LH surge but then I read that doesn't confirm you actually have ovulated, just that the hormone was high. So ive tracked temp now for 1 cycle and got the the rise after ovulation so defo think I'm ovulating which is a good start!! Sounds like we're the same with OCD and anxiety... I just can't chill out and leave things to be what they will be haha! I'm going to temp one more cycle then I've told my OH he has to ban me so I don't get obsessed and just relax!!
Completely agree about the festive period, it's time to have a good time and relax a bit until the new year! And you definitely have time, we all have to stay positive 😊

@Hope365 thanks for having me! So glad your hormone levels all came back good. It's such a shame we've been let down with the pill and doctors saying it doesn't cause infertility when it clearly affects lining in the long term! What have they advised you regarding your lining? Any treatment options? I also get cramps during ovulation, especially on my left side which is weird! Good luck in your tww , got my fingers crossed for you 🤞

I hope you're all having great weekends! Xx

Ok so I've just had a whole week of negative OPKs (testing twice per day) some of them had a faint line over Thursday and Friday and even this morning but just done one earlier tonight and it is 100% negative. I'm either reading them wrong, they are too cheap to be accurate or I'm not ovulating! I've had cramps past 2 days and also EWCM (sorry if tmi) but still negative even when this is present. It's beginning to bore me now tbh......

Hope everyone is well @Hope365 good luck with your tww, I'm about to start mine but I'm not overly hopefully this month as think I may have missed my fertility window with obsessing too much on bloody OPKs. Seriously thinking about just ditching it all and listening to my body!!!

Sigh

@Hope365 @MrsKirsty @JennaRMD hi all, sorry for the delay in reply I woke up late Friday and rushed out! I did the FRER and no surprise it was negative, so had a good weekend with friends. I had some blood loss on Saturday (bright red) so thought that was the start but it's disappeared again and I'm still waiting for it to come. This has happened to me a lot though, where I have a bit then it goes and comes back fully. Anyone else have this? I've got the back ache and the cramps so think it will come today or tomorrow.

And it all starts again! I'm going back to the doctors though when I get chance I want referring or another scan to check the lining @Hope365 remind me how they found your lining issue? Did the nhs do another scan or a fertility clinic?

Xxxxxx

@MrsKirsty they haven't really advised anything yet - thin lining doesn't seem to be a standard problem that my clinic are used to dealing with (even though I've found lots about it online), but they have referred me to an endocrinologist who should hopefully know more. That appointment is on 10th December so I'm really hoping to get some sort of treatment plan then 🤞 My understanding is that estrogen is the best and most common treatment, but every time I've mentioned that at the clinic they just say that they only give that as part of IVF cycles... so just waiting to see what the endocrinologist says for now.

@JennaRMD I hope you got that positive OPK in the end? Totally get the OPK frustration..! With the EWCM though, I tend to get that for about 5 days before a positive OPK, so your peak may not have happened yet - fingers crossed you didn't miss your fertile window and are still in with a shot this cycle!

@Maisy24 so sorry to hear about your BFN 😕 But great that at least you got to enjoy your weekend away! My experience with the doctors was that the GP will only do very standard tests and definitely not look for things like lining thickness. To be honest my light periods were even dismissed by the fertility clinic at our initial appointment! But thankfully they booked me in for a special scan to check my tubes (standard test when you first get referred to a clinic) and when I had that I explicitly asked them to also look at my lining - it was the first time I was having a scan later in my cycle (it was CD12). That's when they saw it was thin, and they then booked me in for a complete tracked cycle to check it throughout. So I did have to push to get it checked! But I also know that things vary so much from doctor to doctor, so definitely see what your GP says... xxx

@Maisy24 also just realised I should clarify from your earlier question - my clinic is NHS. It's all been NHS so far, just that some preliminary tests were done by the GP, and the rest by the NHS clinic once we got referred x

@Hope365 thank you, I'm going to go to the doctors when I get the chance this month, hopefully get referred.

I am on my period today which is 15dpo. My lutual phase is usually 12 days so not sure if that has anything to do with vitamins I've been taking.

I have found that my period has been heavier too today. Like clots and quite a lot of blood. Be interested to see how long it lasts.

I'm not sure I have the energy to start another cycle ttc, it's so exhausting 😰

@Hope365 not long now until your appointment I'm excited for you xxxx

Hi @Maisy24, sorry to hear about CD1... I know that feeling of not having the energy all too well. It's good news that it's looking heavier though - I was actually wondering whether that would happen, with the vitamin E you've been taking! Given that pregnancy doesn't happen every time even with everything working perfectly, maybe a few more months of vitamin E will do the trick for you! 🤞 I'm still thinking I might give it a go too... I'm currently 7DPO, but as always I am already getting all my AF cramps and backache, so not holding out much hope. My luteal phase is usually 12 days though (like you, obviously 😂), so probably another 5 days of PMS and cramps for me until I know for sure - fun times 🙄 But yes, feeling kind of ok about this cycle failing as I know I have that appointment around the corner, and my OH's second semen analysis too - just keeping everything crossed for some answers and treatment options! I hope you manage to get a quick referral 🤞 xxxx

Hi all, sorry for my late replies, been a busy week so far!

@JennaRMD sorry to hear about your negative opks. What time of day do you test? Although they say not to test in the morning I actually find I peak overnight and catch the positive first thing in the morning (which goes against the idea it goes up during the day). It could be your peak is just very short. If you're getting ewcm that's still a really good sign!

@Hope365 well done for sticking to your instincts in the clinic and asking them to look into it! Just shows you know your body better than anyone. That's great you have an appointment, not long to go now, really wish you all the best and hope the endocrinologist helps you get a plan in place 🤞

@Maisy24 yes I have the same, I get a bit of period, it goes away then 2-3 days later it's back and on properly after some spotting. If your luteal phase was longer this time that's a good sign too, maybe that and your extra bleeding are signs things are bouncing back a bit? I also had a bit more bleeding this time too - only about 48 hours worth but that's still better than last month!! Hope you have good luck with your GP, sometimes it just depends who you see but of you don't take no for an answer surely they'll have to refer you!

Really hope this month is all our lucky month xxxxx

@MrsKirsty great that you had a bit more bleeding too, fingers crossed things will regulate naturally for you!
@Maisy24 - for the referral, I think all doctors will refer you so long as you've been trying for a year, which you have, so you shouldn't have any problems (hopefully)! It's the wait for the referral to the clinic that can take time, though we got really lucky and had our first appointment 3 weeks later. Hopefully you have the same! xxx

@MrsKirsty I'm glad it's not just me that happens to, I do wonder if that's the actual start of my period? But I get no cramps then, only started with cramps yesterday. The funny thing I , the blood I lost Saturday came after going to the toilet (sorry for tmi) and I have found that when I kind of try to push out myself, lots of blood comes out. Is there a possibility it's getting stuck? I really do not know 🙈 it's still coming now so will see if it's still there tomorrow, todays cycle day 2 really as I started yesterday so I'd be happy if it lasted until at least tomorrow as that's more than ever. I've also had quite a lot of clots 🤔

@Hope365 id definitely give it a try I'm continuing on with it for at least another two months, along with the other things I'm doing. Saying that if you have your appointment soon you may aswell wait and see what they advise first . Thanks for the advice on the doctors, I am definitely going to push for a referral, it's just getting the time off work to go. You just try and relax this 2WW as you have your appointment to look forward to 😁 getting cramps from 7dpo must be very annoying though! xxxxx

Hi ladies, how are you all getting on?

I'm 13DPO today and just started spotting so my period is definitely around the corner... I've had pretty intense cramps and backache today too, which have been slowly building up since 6DPO - I don't understand why I get so much pain and discomfort throughout my luteal phase, it's like I can feel my period coming for a whole week...😕 The worst bit is though that despite all the signs, I still manage to somehow stay blindly hopeful, and so inevitably end up feeling crushed and disappointed. It's our 3 year anniversary tomorrow and I had stupidly let myself daydream about getting that BFP on our special day... 😔

But onwards and upwards I guess. I know I will feel better tomorrow once the disappointment has worn off, and that appointment at the clinic is just a week away now!

@Maisy24 did you have any luck getting that doctors appointment? And did your period last longer in the end? I'm curious to see if mine is any different from the L-arginine - my luteal phase has actually lasted a day longer than usual (makes the disappointment so much worse...) so maybe it is doing something!

@MrsKirsty @JennaRMD how are you both doing?

Xxx

Hey! I'm ok, stopped using the OPKs because I kept getting negatives and it was flaring up my anxiety. I'm trying not to thinking about it just now and just keep telling myself I've got ages lol! Yesterday and today my breasts are are like boulders and sore as hell but no other symptoms. I'm 99.9% sure AF will show up in the next 7 days (I'm just hoping she decides to be a bit more"normal" this month). Will keep you all updated nearer the time.
How is everyone else getting on?

@abs1232 not heard from you since your first post, how are things panning out for you? Xx

@Hope365 hi I've been meaning to message in here to see how you are all getting on, a week to go until your appointment! Exciting! Sorry to hear you've had some bad period symptoms I know what you mean about the back ache! My period lasted about 2 and half days so a bit longer but still not long enough! I'm CD 8 today so will be doing the clear blue opks from CD 12. I am totally with you on the secretly hoping for a special occasion surprise; I thought this about my birthday in November, now I'm thinking it for Xmas: but deep down thinking it's never going to happen.

Hey everyone, nice to hear from you all this week. Will keep fingers crossed for you @JennaRMD and @Hope365 🤞keep us updated, we're probably all hoping for a Christmas miracle this month. Have to admit I've let myself think about how lovely that would be too! Totally get it with feeling blindly hopeful then even more crushed when it doesn't happen. Then start it all again the next month 🙈 Exciting your appointment is soon too @Hope365 feeling positive for you.

@Maisy24 sorry I didn't get a chance to reply to your older message! What you said about pushing out blood and getting stuck is something I've read about online, like a tight cervical canal. If clots have been coming out that's a good sign that it's clearing out properly and not keeping old blood until your next cycle (from what I've read anyway!)

• I'm on CD14 now and due to ovulate today or tomorrow but no positive opk yet. This is the part of the month I get all hopeful and think this MUST be the one 🙄 I've bought a book called Period Repair Manual (lol) so hoping this gives some insight as it has info about regulating after the pill. Will let you all know of anything useful is mentioned!

Xxxxxxxx

P.s sorry I always seem the write the longest messages 😂

@MrsKirsty thanks for the reply! Yeah I'm wondering if I have that, but then again surely they'd have picked that up on my internal pelvic scan! Oooo I've never heard of that book , definitely keep us updated if it's worth a read. I've got everything crossed this is your month!! Xxxxx

@Maisy24 ohh yeah, you'd like to hope if that was the case they would have picked it up! In which case it might be completely normal? I always read into everything!
Will do, I'll read anything that might help haha. Thank you 😊
Also @Hope365 - happy anniversary! Hope you're having a good day
xxxx