No periods since coming off the Pill in September

[wineandcheese]

I stopped taking the Pill (Cilest) at the end of September. Had my usual "fake period" a few days later but since then nada, and I'm not pregnant.

I went to my GP two weeks ago and she said that this was quite common, and to come back in January if there was still no sign of my period. However, I am really starting to worry (could I have gone through an early menopause? Do I have PCOS?). Before I went on the Pill my periods were regular as clockwork. However this was 12 years ago and I'm concerned that the Pill has masked a problem. Argh.

Has anyone else had this? Is there anything I can do? What should I ask my GP for?

Thank you.

If it was me I would go and get a pregnancy test to put my mind at rest. As far as I am aware by far and away most common cause of absent periods is pregnancy.

Have had such problems too.

This is very common and can be caused by hormonal imbalances. The GP can now do some blood tests to check for both polycystic ovaries and thyroid imbalance (both can cuase periods to either cease or become more irregular).

Blood tests can be done too according to calendar days if the menstrual cycle is non existant. They could also possibly arrnange for you to have an internal ultrasound scan done to see if your ovaries are polycystic.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost.

I'm not pregnant (although I would love to be!). I've POAS more times than I can bear to admit over the last two months, including this morning.

How old are you?

Thanks Attila, that's helpful. I will go back and ask for the blood tests.

Mumblechum, I'm 31.

I had the same thing when I came off the combined pill - 'fake' period in Jan then nothing for a couple of months, then they were really irregular (6-8 weeks between periods) until October. It was really frustrating, but it was just my body taking a while to get back to normal.

It is worth getting it checked out with docs, but thought this might be of some reassurance.

Thanks Ineedcake - I really hope that's what it is for me, too.

I did start taking agnus castus tablets at around the same time my periods got back to normal - to be honest I don't think I was taking them long enough for them to have actually been the cause of things getting back to normal but I did start taking them for that reason as I'd read/heard they could help. Might be something to look into :) but you do need to be careful about not taking them if there's a chance you're pregnant I think (it was a while ago, this was 2 years ago for me - now pleased to say I have a 13mo DS!) :)

Oooh, Agnus Castus - there's an idea. Thanks - think I'll be paying a visit to Holland and Barrett tomorrow! Nice to hear your story

Hope it helps, good luck :)

Would not self medicate with AC as it can make some hormonal problems worse. If you did want to try this I would seek the advice of a medical herbalist.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost alogn with blood tests to see if PCOS is the underlying cause of the absent periods.

Exact same thing happened to me, came off pill (cilest) in September and had no periods other than the fake one. I can't really help though as I conceived dd1 in early jan so didn't have a period for another 9 months!

At least you know it's 'normal' though :)

Oh... Thanks for the alternative perspectives Attila and Baublelugs. I guess I always think of herbal remedies as being pretty harmless but I shall give it some more thought before deciding what to do. Baublelugs sorry about your mc.

MrsRhett - here's hoping that happens to me, too!

It took a year for my periods to return after about 10 years mostly on the pill. My hormones were very confused for some time. They did come back eventually, I now have 2 children. I recommend investing in a supply of very cheap pregnancy tests in the meantime (Home Bargains have them for under a quid).

I had this after coming off the pill all three times to have my children. Took a year the first time (conceived DC1 without ever having a period), and 8 months the second and third time. It's very common and there's no need for panic!

Also meant to say that if you're at all underweight, sometimes gaining 5 lbs can get things going. Being too thin can cause amenorrhea too. Concentrate on getting in a few more healthy fats.

Attila and Bauble do make a good point - yes best to get proper medical advice first before taking anything like AC. Sorry was irresponsible of me to mention it!

OMG OMG!!

Still no period so I arranged to work from home tomorrow so that I could go and see my GP to discuss next steps.

Had to go to Boots on way home this evening and randomly decided to buy a cheapie pregnancy test - haven't tested since my original post and thought I might just give it one last try before going to the doc. Also had a weird tingling in my breasts a few days ago but I absolutely thought it was in my head / the result of Christmas gorging (have done a lot of symptom spotting over the last four months).

Anyway it's a BFP!!! DH on his way home and I am so excited and shaky!!!

Congratulations!!

Thank you Tequila! Yiiiikeeees!!

I am having the same problem. Stopped taking cylest in April, had a period in may. I'm 7 days later for my June period and have a negative text. I had sex on ovulation, have symptoms of pregnancy but the test says negative.