Hi all,
I came off the pill two months ago, and after having a completely haywire 2nd post-pill cycle, I've been doing a lot of research to try and understand what's going on.
I thought it would be nice to share my research and what I believe is happening to me, in hope it might help others. I also thought you might like to share your experience and how you found/are finding coming off the pill, as being able to read that other people experience similar can be really comforting. So here's me...
I'm 31 and TTC DC1.
I came off the pill early April, had my withdrawal bleed a few days later, then first natural AF came 30 days later, so a 30 day cycle. First AF was very light and started and finished with brown spotting. Only lasted 4 days.
I'm now in cycle2 currently on CD37. I didn't ovulate until CD33! The day after ovulation, my boobs and nipples were agony. I'm now 3DPO and the pain is worse.
I recalled this pain the last cycle too, which I wasn't tracking. I assumed it was a sign AF was coming, as it arrived 5 days later. But from this cycle I now know it's actually a sign I've ovulated, so this would mean an extremely short luteal phase on that first cycle.
My research has included reading 'Taking Charge of your Fertility'.
I also found this article extremely helpful in understanding what goes on in your body when you stop the pill, as well as learning things you can do to take charge of your cycle again: avivaromm.com/post-pill-reset/
My sore boobs and possible short luteal phase points to an oestrogen dominance, which causes low progesterone.
This sums up why this happens:
'While not a symptom in itself, nutritional deficiencies can cause a host of symptoms – including hormonal imbalances. They are also a problem for women who come off the pill hoping to get pregnant right away because low nutrient status has been associated with fertility problems, and low nutrients in mom can also mean low nutrients in baby. The pill has been associated with robbing a number of nutrients including B vitamins and magnesium.
Hormonal birth control pills can deplete the body’s stores of certain nutrients, including vitamins B2, B6, and B12; vitamins C and E; magnesium, selenium, zinc, and folate. Vitamin D levels may also drop after coming off the pill.'
Understanding what is going on with my body right now has made me feel so much better. If I were to have a normal luteal phase this cycle, I'd be on track to have a 48 day cycle! The sore boobs tell me I'm probably going to have a short luteal phase though.
I've also learnt how hormones control the whole cycle. With oestrogen being the important hormone during the first half. It builds up and when it reaches a certain threshold it triggers the LH surge. Once you've ovulated, then progesterone kicks in. This cycle I had three LH surges in total spaced 12 days apart until I finally ovulated. Oestrogen and Progesterone have to be perfectly balanced, and so I think the three LH surges could indicate that my oestrogen kept building up over and over until my body finally managed to ovulate, causing an oestrogen dominance. I finally confirmed ovulation after three high temps.
As of a few days ago, I'm following some of the steps in the article I linked, by taking a prenatal multivitamin to replace depleted nutrients. I already take probiotics, vitamin D and folic acid, so will continue with those and will add in vitamin C too. I've cut out low fat dairy instead choosing full fat, and am trying to focus on eating at least 2 pieces of fruit a day and extra veg with my lunch and dinner. I may also look into including a b6 supplement for my luteal phase next cycle if it does turn out to be short again this cycle, as this helps with progesterone and during the luteal phase progesterone spikes to dry up cervical fluid, change the cervix position, stop anymore eggs from being released and build up the lining, so is really crucial.
Hopefully this will help someone :) would love to hear how others are finding coming off the pill x