When to start trying after the pill

[merlotormalbec]

Sorry if this has been done to death there's so many boards and I've tried to read as many as I can but everyone's so different.

Me and DH want to start TTC in the new year. I've recently been diagnosed with suspected endometriosis so am waiting for a gynaecologist ref and in currently on the pill to stop my periods to help with the pain which was crippling me.

I'm really really worried about coming off the pill as I'm so scared of the pain esp if it takes a really long time to get pregnant. I was planning on coming off the pill around Xmas but I don't know when to start trying after that. I know I need to have a withdrawal bleed but then am I good to go after that? Does anyone have any advice please? Thank you x

Sorry to hear about your suspected endometriosis. I've always suffered very painful periods requiring strong painkillers, however last cycle I had barely any pain. This hasn't happened since my early teens! The only thing that has changed, is since I came off the pill I've been taking folic acid with vitamin D. I've since read that vitamin D can reduce pain - Vitamin D is known to decrease the production of inflammation-provoking molecules called cytokines, as well as hormone-like substances called prostaglandins -- which scientists believe to be a main cause of the distressing cramps. Could be worth trying whilst you're waiting to see a gynaecologist.

With regards to when to come off the pill, I would say asap. I came off in August, I'm now on cycle 4 and my cycles haven't yet gone back to normal. I'm experiencing luteal phase defect, where your luteal phase is too short, meaning you're not producing enough progesterone. Some people get pregnant straight away but for many it takes months for their cycles to go back to normal. So unless you're happy waiting a while, I would recommend coming off the pill sooner rather than later x

Thank you for your reply. I started taking folic acid and vit D a couple of days ago and that's really interesting about the effects that it can have so I'll keep my fingers crossed!

I really want to come off the pill now to give my body a chance to get back to normal and so I can track my cycles but my husband is worried about me being in pain over Xmas he just think it's not worth the risk. But I think it's silly to wait!

Sorry to hear about your defect I've never heard of that before. Is there anything they can do to up it?

@merlotormalbec I would second that - I'm 7 months off now and I'm still all over the place which is driving me crazy and is upsetting too to be honest. I wish I came off early to give my body time before TTC as would have saved a lot of upset, but I was told at my pill check there was no need. At the moment I don' ovulate until around CD30ish and I also have a luteal phase defect which makes it very difficult to get pregnant. Give your body as much time as poss to get back into the swing of things x

Also generally the advice is to have one whole cycle after stopping the pill after TTC, as it will help date your pregnancy if you were to fall quickly, however that advice is useless to someone like me who has had long and irregular cycles post pill ever since x

@merlotormalbec that's great you've already started taking folic acid and vit D, fingers crossed the vit D will help. I think a few of us on here would recommend coming off asap, to give your body time to regulate the hormones, you've got to do what's right for you. If you do decide to come off, hopefully the vit D and maybe some painkillers could help you manage the endometriosis. The drs can prescribe artificial progesterone but that comes with side effects, so I'm really hoping I can extend the luteal phase naturally with vit C x

Thank you for all your advice. I'm going to talk to DH again- I do see his point because I've had really bad flare ups recently but I've got much stronger painkillers now and with the pill and the vit d all added in hopefully itl be a smoother ride! Thanks all xx