Coming off the pill for the first time in 14 years...what to expect?

[notasize10yetbutoneday]

Hi All

Wow my first post in here- first of many over the next few months Im sure!

DH and I are planning to start trying for a baby in October this year (after our holiday in September).

We areboth really excited but I'm wondering what to expect/do as this will be the first time I've come off the pill in 14 years I was put on it when I was just 14 to cope with the heavy periods I was having and was told to take it continuously for 3 months (ie only have a period every 3 months) as the periods were affecting my school/college work.

Since we talked about TTC I have since been having the periods every month instead of 3 to try and get used to it but of course a period on the pill is quite different to a normal period I think so I might be in for a bit of a shock?

Also- do I need to 'do' anything when I come off the pil? Do I need to write down what my cycle is, etc? Should I stsrt taking vitamins? Stop drinking?

Everyone on here seems to really know what they are doing and I dont hav a clue when it comes to TTC (well, apart from the obvious! ) so any advice/comments appreciated.

Hi

Were your periods painful as well as heavy?.
You were given the standard treatment at the time, instead of them trying to work out why your periods were this problematic. However, things have moved on a bit in the last few years and knowledge has improved. Having said that, you will need to be peristant in order to get answers.

If this problem recurs (as it may well do after you stop taking the pill) I would go to your GP and ask for a referral to a gynae for further evaluation. I say this as gynae related issues like fibroids and or endometriosis can cause heavy bleeding. Both should be checked for by a gynaecologist.

I would keep a "symptom diary" of your periods particularly if you start to get pain and or heaviness of period again. Such a diary can be useful too for a gynae to see.
The pill leaves your system very quickly after taking the last tablet.

Thanks Attila, yes, they were painful but as i was only 14, I dont know if I would consider that level of pain to be 'as' bad now Im older, if that makes sense?

That is very good thinking though about keepign a symptom diary which may be needed if I do have to get it checked out.

I had very painful periods at 14; on a scale of 1-10 I would class that pain as a 8. I had all the classic symptoms of endometriosis from me commencing menstruation but it just was not recognised.

It is something to bear in mind if your previous symptoms recur. Do seek help promptly if it does, do not delay unduly.

Good luck to you!!