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So girls, I haven’t had my period in 5 months.
No, I’m not pregnant. Yes, I am starting to get a little (a lot) concerned.
I came off the contraceptive pill in January after taking it for over 10 years. Like a lot of women my age, I was told as a 16 year old that it was perfectly healthy, would clear my annoying acne, ease my period pain and create a whole new world of convenience through the ability to “skip” periods.
Oh and of course, not fall pregnant.
And it did all of these things wonderfully.
But now, a decade or so later, a generation of us are starting to come off the pill for health reasons, to start a family or to just “see what happens”.
And what’s happening (or not happening in my case) is scary. I’ve heard stories of women gaining and losing cray-cray amounts of weight, getting full blown acne after years of clear skin and having irregular and painful periods. Or inexistent in my case.
But perhaps the most frightening side effects are miscarriage or inability to fall pregnant. Yes people, infertility.
Which sounds crazy. But think, the pill is designed to STOP you from falling pregnant. And if after years of controlling my cycles, my body still doesn’t “remember” how to menstruate, how on earth could I expect it to not only conceive (say if I wanted to fall pregnant right now) but to also maintain a healthy 9 month pregnancy?
Which is what it is naturally designed to do.
Nat Kringoudis, author of Fertilise Yourself and owner of Women’s Health Centre The Pagoda Tree in Melbourne, writes that…
‘Often women coming off the pill have long cycles or do not see a period return for on average six months… Women who conceive within 6 months of coming off the pill present with less red blood cells and plasma folate levels which can lead to recurrent miscarriage.’
Scary stuff. So is the fact that most women on the pill or who have recently come off the pill are deficient in zinc as it is one of the major essential minerals severely drawn out via the pill. And zinc deficiency can cause major behavioural problems in children, let alone causing prolonged labours, reduced skin elasticity in birth (think OUCH) and cracked nipples. Fun!
You can read more about the pill and fertility on Nat’s blog here.
So after almost half a year without menstruating (my inner 16 year old Claire is going WHAT? THAT’S AWESOME!) I’m starting to get scared.
How did I naively believe for so long that taking this little drug everyday for most of my post-pubescent life was healthy and acceptable?
Well, basically it’s because it’s what we were told. Mostly. I went on the pill after only 12 months after getting my first period and I know people who were on it a lot earlier than that. I sure hope we don’t look back one day and go “Wow, that was a major fuck up in the history of women’s health”.
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I want to have children. One day. And I’ve grown to love the hell out of my body and myself. Which means taking my health seriously and making wellness a priority. Not choosing convenience and letting “Future Claire” deal with the consequences anymore.
So I’m off to the Naturopath this week to suss my hormones and work out this where-the-hell-is-my-period situation. I’ll keep you updated.
Until then, I’d love to know if you have ever come off the contraceptive pill and what reaction your body had. Or maybe you’re on the pill now but have been hearing similar freak-outs and concerns?
Let me know in the comments! And if you know anyone who would benefit from this post too, please feel free to share it.
NOTE: This post has now been updated here and here. (Psssst. I got my period back!)
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If you’re looking at making positive health and lifestyle changes, I have loads of recipes, personal anecdotes and insights in my She Is Radiant eRange. Check it out here. I also recommend this eBook Healing Hypothalamic Amenorrhea by nutritionist Kate Callaghan.
Finally, if it’s PCOS specific information you’re looking for, I’d love to point you in the direction of Dr. Nat Kringoudis’ eCourse Debunking PCOS.
Please remember to speak to your own health professional team before making any significant changes to your lifestyle.
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I am so glad I found this website. I was on the pill for about 8-9 years and got off it 2 years ago knowing my husband and I wanted to have children. When I got off the pill my periods were normal, came at the same time every month and never missed a period in 2 years now. The periods were worse of course coming off the pill. I was getting really bad cramps and it would last for a week, just how my periods were before the pill. Well it’s been 2 years now and I am trying to be patient, letting my body adjust but still have not gotten pregnant. I am now experiencing my periods starting later and are becoming much lighter and no cramping, which I’m not complaining of not having that but just a little concerned. Also, I don’t feel like I can feel my body ovulating like I could before. This has been going on for a couple months now. Anyways I’m so glad I found this website and have found I’m not the only one and was hoping for any type of feedback.
I came off the pill four months ago after taking it for 15 years. I had had it with the “taking a pill” every single day of my life and feeling guilty when I forgot it because “I” wasn’t being responsible and so on. First of all: who said we women sould be the only ones responsible for contraception? Here we are taking this awlfully dull thing that is bad for our HEARTS and what not, all to prevent pregnancy, and men our generation just grew up finding it normal that we should do it. Short of wearing condoms some times, they never had to take any responsibility in contraception. I find it just crazy.
Anyhoo I’ve been having THE TIME OF MY LIFE after coming off the pill for good. I found out I was chemically castrated. Listen, it’s not only that my desire is back, I want sex, and initiate it, and when it heppens, I enjoy it, and I fantasize about it and I read Milo Manara and even re-read Lady Chatterley’s lover these days hahaha.
But it’s like I’m going through puberty all over again. Acne is back fiercely, I’m waiting for it to subdue on it own. I have mood swings (which I’m controling with heavy exercizing and I much prefer it to pills, so does my heart). Even music became more meaninful to me again. I have had one sing-along-crying scene, which was fun, and I even actually went to a punk rock concert as I did when I was a teenager and all. And had fun. A lot has changed in the same period of time, but I also believe being off the pills is responsible for it being now much easier gain muscles.
I think it was a really good decision and I’m glad I finally got to make it for myself, for I had been taking these pills, for real, beacuse I was told to. By my mom, and my godmother, and some doctors, and my boyfriends, and my girlfriends, my granny… I resisted, I really tried to. I remember four or five occasions, but they always told me to go back on the pill. Now I’m finally in the position of making that decision myself. I’m through.
Hi Claire-
Thank you for this post (a few months late).
I’ve had two similar experiences coming off the pill. In June of 2012, I stopped taking it. Got a period six weeks later, and then started the pill Mid-September having not gotten a second cycle. This year, I stopped again in June 2013 (This time, it will be for good.) Got the same cycle six weeks later, and now it’s just about October and no cycle to speak of.
I’m wondering what your naturopath said, and if you have any updates? I’m trying to figure out the best type of health professional to seek about this, going to start with the OBGYN because that’s what I have and know right now, but would be thrilled to look into more alternative means. Thanks again for continuing this really important conversation.
Hi Victoria,
Just read your post. Ive been looking through the net like crazy to find if there is someone out there with the same problem I have.
I was on the pill for 10 years straight (no break) I kept asking my gynae if I should take a break. She was adiment that I shouldn’t. Well My partner and I are now trying for a child. I got my first period 31 days after stopping the pill and now falling into October no sign of a period yet. DOne a pregnancy test and thats negative.
Any news on your situation?
Will be updating very soon 🙂 x
Waiting patiently for your update Claire unless I have missed it! xx
my update – My periods are 32 days apart still need to regulate to 28 but it is a 32 cycle and has remained 32 for the last 6 months. Taken blood tests, Thyroid test, Checked the size of my ovaries … everything is normal my doc says. My doctors put me on glucophage, famara and floic acid. My partner has done all the necessary tests and takes his vitamis he is fine And still no baby! :((( I did use Opk’s and they were all negative which is a bit worrying. Me freaking out that im not OV, But friends told me that your supposed to test 3 x in a day to see a result, wer i was only testing once in the am with my first wee.
One thing that has happened is my acne is back. I was thinking maybe this means my hormones are trying to figure themselves out! …. anyone?
Hi Victoria and Jade,
I had the same problem, stopped the pill after 10 years and no show for my period for 10 months, finally came but every 2 months, have been going to acupuncture and taking Chinese herbs for 2 months now and I feel that has really balanced me out and my periods are now coming ever 40 days and I believe I am ovulating, finally getting somewhere!
I feel finally after a year and a half my body is going back to normal, its scary as all these things run through your head but I believe the natural way is the way to go. Drugs are just a band-aid.
Im lucky I decided to get off the pill when I did so when we try for kids next year I will be back to a healthier state.
Hi All,
I have just googled and found this post. I came off the pill at the beginning of June ready to try for a baby and I have had nothing for 4 months. When It got to 10 weeks I told the doctor and he prescribed me with Provera to help my period come and hopefully kick start my cycle. Was also given blood tests and everything came back normal so my doctor is not worried. Called again this week to say it had been another 6 weeks since the provera made fake AF come and he said to call back in 2-3 weeks and he will prescribe it again. But I am not getting anywhere, dont really want to take the provera again, not sure what to do? Been on the Pill for 13 years I am nearly 29 now and went on it when I was 16. Had a break last January and AF came within 6 weeks. Was always regular before this! Help me!
Hi Katie. I understand you must be feeling so frustrated. I’m going to write an updated post very soon. Remember to avoid stress (as hard as it can be!) and be patient with your body. Have you tried any alternative therapies?
Hi Katie. My situation is very similar to yours! It took 6 months of being off the pill before my period came back, despite two rounds of provera. Have had two cycles on my own….although they were about 8 weeks apart. I combined my birth control pills and took 2 packs at a time without a break so not sure if that had something to do with the problems now. Good luck!
I am so happy to have stumbled upon this site. Heres a little background of my current situation- about 3 years ago I saw my gyno for the first time because I was suffering from a pretty bad yeast infection- she asked my about my cycles and if I was “sexually active” and it dawned on me that I was pretty irregular and when I did get my periods I felt like I was hit by a truck for a good 2 weeks and they were so heavy that sometimes I couldn’t even go to school, work, the gym etc. because my period was sucking the life out of me. I was considering going on the pill just because I had been with my boyfriend for a good 2 years at the point and I figured maybe being on the pill would be better than condoms soooo she urged me to go on the pill (loestrin 24fe) for a year or so and see how I liked it….fast forward to being on it for 2 years and I wound up being something shy of an animal- I developed horrible bacterial infections that I never got before, I was constantly irritable and emotional which was awful because I find myself to be a pretty mellow, level- headed person, and I just felt that this was not working out the way I had planned. I decided that once my last refill was done, I was no longer going to be on the pill. That was back in March of this year, and now, October- I have still not had a period. In May I had some slight spotting but I wouldn’t even consider it a period. Other than that- I have had nothing- no PMS symptoms, no nothing. But, I have been under immense stress. At the beginning of the year my father had an emergency triple bypass, followed by a very long recovery, followed by my boyfriend totaling my car, followed by me almost not graduating college, followed by my father being diagnosed with bladder cancer and then going into remission. Stress usually runs my life and I have never really had a regular cycle- the days between my cycles would range from 30-50 and usually it would be because of stress or illness. Now Im not pregnant, I have take a pregnancy test a few months back and me and my boyfriend have always practiced safe sex (condoms always) AND we haven’t even had sex in about 2 months just to really be on the safe side (which sucks). I know that a delayed period can be normal coming off the pill especially if you were on it for a long time and you were irregular prior to using the pill, but im starting to think something is wrong with me- are my hormones that out of balance from the pill? I am going for blood work to see where those levels stand but I cant help but think that being on the pill caused me more harm than good. Any advice or feedback would be appreciated!
I’m so glad I found this page! My husband and I stopped my birth control (low estrogen) after me religiously taking it for the past 4 years. This thanksgiving marks a year of being contraceptive free…I’ve had 2 periods all year, and countless negative pregnancy tests. Is this normal????? I would love an update!
I stopped taking the pill 6 months ago now, but I’m having the opposite problem! I had a light period for 3 months solid from the day after I stopped taking it! After the 3 months I started getting a few days break from the bleeding every couple of weeks. It’s slowly improving so that now I get a short period (I assume that’s what it is!) every 2-3 weeks. I’m trying to stay positive because it is definitely improving, but I’m just worried as no one else seems to have this problem?
I’m having that same problem. I stopped taking the pill after 12 years and had a cycle instantly. It was horrible; heavy bleeding, extreme cramps, and it was on for about 7 days. It went off and came again 3 weeks later. Same horrible experience, but this time, it only lasted 4 days. That time it went off and came back on 2 weeks later, same horrible experience. It was on for like 3 days, went off and came back full force! I don’t know what to do at this point and it is frustrating me 🙁
Hi. I stopped taking the pill the day before my last period finised. I’ve only been off the pill for less than a week but I’ve started bleeding again! I don’t think it’s spotting. The last time I spoke to my doctor she said it’d be a good idea to see how my body reacts without it. I was on it since I was 13 (I’m 23 now). Reading everyone’s comments has made me anxious. I’ll be tagging this page to see how things progress. Hopefully mine will regulate.
I sympathise… oh, the things I wish I’d known.
I went on the pill at age 15 after my VERY FIRST period (because I had bad acne). 12 years later I stopped taking the pill, and haven’t had a period in coming up to 10 months.
I’m seeing an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist weekly, I eat lots of healthy food, and I’m seeing a medical specialist about hormones/PCOS. What more can you do?! I find it frightful that my body hasn’t re-generated itself in all this time. What on earth are we doing to ourselves…
Anyway, after nearly a year without menstruating (and with acne having staged a comeback) I’m trying to figure out how else to feel like a WOMAN. Does anybody else feel that way? I’m definitely romanticising my period now – I’ll curse it again one day, I’m sure – but there’s something about it that I crave.
I just want to feel all juicy and fertile, damn it!
Thanks for sharing Claire – best wishes, and fingers crossed that we all get there in the end 🙂
Going off the pill is a hormonal and emotional roller coaster!! It’s crazy and I’m hoping the roller coaster will come to an end soon. Fingers crossed.
The craving of a period is such an opposite feeling to all the years of seeing it as a hassle. Happily deal with a period every 28 days now!!
I was on the pill for about 14 years for acne. I went off the pill about 13 months ago as we wanted to start a family. I got pregnant first ovulation but ended up having a missed miscarriage and a d&c. A period came about 5 weeks after this procedure and I thought I was all ok. Then the next period didn’t come until 3 months later. I got worried and took myself to the naturopath and a medical specialist. I was then diagnosed with PCOS. My skin has been terrible, both my face, back and shoulders.
I started doing natural therapies and taking Metformin prescribed by my gynaecologist to help regulate my periods. I started changing my diet as well. It took 5 months for another period to arrive.
I then started acupuncture and I managed to ovulate with only a 5 week gap. Not sure wether it was the metformin or acupuncture. I was really pleased that I managed to ovulate twice back to back. Then I found out last week that I was pregnant but I believe I have had a miscarriage again and awaiting blood results.
Now I’m back to wondering what my body will do next and take another year to sort its self out. Trying to stay positive and move forward as stress is not going to help my hormone levels, relationships and wellbeing. Definitely going to stick with the acupuncture and weigh up the metformin as hard to know which aspect allowed me to ovulate twice in a row.
I hope one day soon I’ll have glowing skin, regular ovulation and a family 🙂
I struggle with the ‘feeling like a woman’ thing BIG TIME babe. Thank you for sharing – healing, fertile vibes to you! x
I also have PCOS and am 2 weeks into being off the Pill. For those who are struggling with acne or weight gain/loss as a result, try eliminating sugar (fructose) from your diet. I am in my 7th week sugar free and can see a real difference in my skin. There are also many studies and articles which link sugar consumption with hormonal imbalance (the biggest issue for PCOS sufferers). I am no doctor but this experiment seems to be working for me and it may help some others too.
Hi, This is a great topic and it is hard to find information on topics like this! I experienced weight loss (10lbs) when I went off the pill and it was weight I’d tried to lose for the many years prior. Also, my energy came back and my sleep cycles improved. I then got pregnant- unplanned- but I’m married & it’s my 2nd kid and I never want to go on hormonal contraceptives again! Other than a vasectomy for my husband, what other reliable forms of birth control are there that are non-hormonal? Even the IUD has a small hormone dose and the thought of adding a foreign object to my body sounds counter-productive!
Also, you should read the book “Woman Code” by Alissa Vitti about how important it is for a woman to be in touch with her cycle and birth control prevents this completely. She talks about revving up fertility as well in the book. Check it out if you haven’t yet: http://www.amazon.ca/Womancode-Perfect-Amplify-Fertility-Supercharge/dp/0062130773
Thank you for the book suggestion, will definitely check it out. Check out Nat Kringoudis’ site for more natural contraceptive methods, she has a great article discussing various options. x
Hi, so I’m 21 and I’ve been on birth control (minigynon) for 2 years. Well I came off and saw my period for two weeks. Before the pill, I had a regular 28 days cycle but now my period is one week late. I got all the symptoms that indicated my period was gonna come, that is, change in discharge (the gooey stretchy type lol ) tender breast and nipples and acne breakout but no period. These symptoms did not occur when I was on the pill. Did a pregnancy test and it was negative. I feel better off the pill, lighter in a sense and I’m not going back on it. Just gonna wait and see, please lord let me see it. I’m gonna look into taking vitamins or supplements that helps with ovulation. Will keep you updated though!
OMG I am going through this now. I was on Minigynon and came off … I got a period a month after (after days of spotting) but now I have completely missed my period. Idk… it is scary for me to comprehend that I’m either pregnant right now or have messed my body up. 🙁
Hi for the last 2 years on 4/ sep 2013 i did not take it .(I was taken the contraceptive injection ). 4days after I was bleeding for 3 weeks then 6-sep2013 I was bleeding agein that Time for 7 days but know nothing before this I had got them about ever 21 days not sure if it ok or what can’t find anything about if this happen )
I started taking microgestin on Oct 7th and had to short brown spotting episodes two weeks apart. My boyfriend and I decided to discontinue due to awful side effects. Last week we had very careless unprotected sex 3 times, the last time being on Saturday when I did not take my last active pill. I was pretty good about taking them around the same time every night except for one on the 12th when we were at a Halloween party. I did not start taking the sugar pills on Sunday like I would have if I had decided to stay on the pill. It’s been 5 days and I figured I would’ve started a period by now since I quit taking them. Is it possible that I ovulated as soon as I quit taking my pills and got pregnant and that’s why my body has not kicked out any blood? How long should I wait before I get nervous and take a test? I know birth control can mess with the body but I didn’t think 3 weeks of being on them would keep me from ovulating for so long.
Thanks so much for this post! I came off the pill 5 months ago after 10 years to try for a baby, and it has been so upsetting, I’ve had terrible symptoms like cramps, faintness, dizziness and sickness, lots of pregnancy-like symptoms and my cycles are getting longer each time (51 days this time). Three times I’ve been convinced I was pregnant only to discover it was just my hormones messing me about. I’m talking about it to all my girl-friends because nobody warned me it would be like this and I want them to know!
I truly wish I’d never gone on the pill, or at least had more information about what coming off would be like before I decided to try for a baby. It seems to me that nobody (including us) cares much about that when we go on the pill in our teens, but there really needs to be more information out there. Despite the withdrawl symptoms I feel much better off the pill – better sex life, more energy, I feel more like ‘myself’. I don’t think I’ll be going back on it again in a hurry!
I agree with everything you say…there really needs to be more information provided to teen girls when we are put on birth control pills. I never thought 15 years later that when I decided to try for a baby that I should have given myself at least a year off the pill before even trying.
I also feel so much better without the pill. In the future once we have hopefully been successful with starting our family, I will definitely look for alternative birth control methods.
Hi my names Jess…. (“Hi Jess”) and I was a pillaholic. It’s been 6 weeks since my last period.
Thanks for all of the comments, reading this makes me feel revealed I’m not a freak but also sad that we all had no idea what we were getting ourselves into:(
I was on the pill for 10 years without a break and came off around 7 months ago.
Some of my side effects have been the same as above posts but some different.
I lost those 2/3kgs I could never budge and feel a lot better within myself not taking a chemical pill everyday.
I was lucky enough to get my first period exactly 28 days later but now they are getting further and further apart.
My periods (that I have got) are also half the size of those I got on the pill.
I started taking Star Flower Oil which seemed to help regulate things but they have since taken it off the market.
I also noticed my skin has been all types of crazy. This was one of the reasons I originally, like so many other girls my age, was just chucked onto the pill, no questions asked! When I first came off, it was fine but now like my period, has started going completely bonkers with no real cycle.
I am now seeking advice from multiple naturopaths to get my body back to its optimum condition. In pasts posts ladies spoke about zinc which is one of the things I am now taking. I was also told it takes about 6 months to a year for your body to start releasing all the hormones that were trapped from taking the pill for so long (hence the skin and no periods now).
In saying all of that I do enjoy not getting a headache and swollen, sore boobs once a month when I was due.
Hopefully one day there is an alternate option for young woman not wanting to fall prgenant or wanting to fix their teenage acne and period pains.
Finally, good luck to all the posts above that involve ladies trying to have a baby.
Maybe in the future doctors will spend more time helping people coming off the pill, rather than handing out scripts left, right and centre.
X
I was on the pill for about less than a year (on and off) and I came off in august and had spotting then a period in September (sept 14-23)… Then it did not come in October :O (I had sex the 16th and 23rd of oct)… we used a condom on both occasions BUT I am not sure If I’m pregnant or not because I have no symptoms but I have never missed a period so I am wondering if it is because of the hormones or if I am indeed pregnant!!!!?
ANY ideas? #Nervous
Wow. I never realized how many other women were dealing with this problem….I went off the pill over 3 months ago so my husband and I could start trying. I had been on it for 15 years, no real break. Well, in the 3 months I’ve had the withdrawal bleed and then nothing. Plenty of false pregnancy tests, and a lot of stress and frustration.
I’ve tried maca supplements, multi vitamins, omega pills, special teas…everything. I decided it’s time to go see a doctor and get blood tests to see if my hormones are out of whack.
Who knew that the pill could screw you up so much?! It’s frightening…
Best of luck to all you other ladies. I sympathize with you whole heartedly 🙁
Wow, I had no clue this was happening to so many women. I started birth control 5 years ago for my acne. January of this year I stopped because I was having bad migraines. I have been off ever since and I just recently had my first period since about March. Is this normal? My husband and I have been trying to conceive but no luck. Now that my period has come back will it be easier to conceive? I need answers please!
Thanks for writing this Claire, it’s incredible what little information is out there to help women in our predicament. My doctor just keeps telling me to hope, and take supplements etc
I had been on the pill for about 14 years and came off it last year as I wanted to have a baby. After three months the period came back and wow I conceived first time. But yeah surprise surprise. A miscarriage. I was told because of the nature of it that I had to wait 6 months before trying again, but during that time I had the most god awful period effects that I couldn’t work. I ended up going on the pill again just for one month just to get through a particularly stressful job. Ladies DO NOT do this!!!! The month after I bled for an entire month- no jokes, and since then no period again for an entire month. So- feeling like a useless body at the moment which can’t do what a woman was born to do! And although I can’t be sure the miscarriage was due to the pill, I’m pretty damn suspicious. So- going on 33 and still no kids. Thanks to the pill. I wish I’d come off it many years earlier.
I had only been on birth control a year and everyday it made me have indigestion, so I finally stopped it in April 2013 I hadn’t had a period since so I went to my doctor in late September she gave me more pills to kick start my period of course it worked but now again nothing. I want to be able to have kids soon with my husband, how am I supposed to do that if I am not ovulating like normal. I just wish I never took them. To start with.
I was on and off the pill the last 11 years. I started when I was 18 and stopes soon after my 29th birthday. In July, I stopped taking it completely. I have always had a 28 day cycle. In August, my period came one exact week early. In September and October It came right on time pretty much on the hour. I was suppose to get it last Thursday. Tomorrow it will be one week. I took a hpt on Tuesday and it was negative. I have no idea if I’m feeling symptoms or if im thinking I am. While we use condoms nothing is 100% guaranteed. I’m bloated, crampy, my discharge is watery like, sometimes dizzy and my nipples were in pain all last week. I thought it was pms but the one thing that has always been consistent was my acne breakout the week before and the week of my period. Any advice? I’ve never been late but could it still be my hormones from coming off the pills even when my periods were already regular?
I forgot to say that I had heartburn and was very burpy these last couple of days. And I mean earlier that my acne is routine but it did NOT breakout. :/
I’m going through the same thing (except we were actually trying to concieve)! You’re not alone! I’ve posted my story below if you want to have a read x
I was on the pill for a little over a year and I stopped taking it about 2 months ago in order to go back on acne medication to clear up my face (cannot take both at the same time) I got my first period a little early I believe (usually got it the last week of the month on the pill and on the acne medication I got it in the middle of the month) my period lasted a little over a week and was the worst one I can remember ever having. now a month later I haven’t gotten my period again. I’m worried because me and my boyfriend are sexually active but he has never came inside me (no we do not use the “pull-out” method) I’m not sure if my period is going to come at it’s usual time at the end of the month or if I’m pregnant (I really hope I’m not)
Thanks Claire for posting this! Here I was thinking I was the only one!!
I stopped taking the pill at the end of August this year and my “real” period came a few days after it was due which surprised me considering I’ve been on a range of pills for 9 years (I’m 26 now) and had been told it’s common not to get a period for upto 6 months after coming off it.
Anyway, after having 2 periods come like clockwork I’m now faced with being late (prior to being on the pill my periods were regular). We started trying to concieve a couple of weeks ago and I had all the signs of ovulation so of course I assumed I was, and had ovulated. When my period didn’t come 2 days ago I started thinking it’s possible that I could be pregnant even though in the back of my mind I don’t really feel like I am. I’m having cramps every now and again like my period is gearing up to rear its ugly head but then nothing comes. Sore boobs, fatigue and no period – of course you start to tick all the boxes and think it’s highly possible you’re pregnant right? So I bought a pregnancy test and it was negative. I’m dumbfounded.
So google got the better of me today and I started looking up whether it was possible to have signs of ovulation and then not ovulate. I came across the lovely word “anovulation” and am now thinking this is what has happened to me this month. I also read that this can happen to women 1-2 times a year but I have never heard of it.
Does anyone know if this is common in someone under 30? I’m going to do another pregnancy test in a week if my period doesn’t come and will update on here what happens but anyone with information on anovulation and how common it is please respond! I feel like I’m going crazy!!!
Hi millie… Your story is exactly the same as mine. Do you have an update?
Thanks,
Laura
Hi, just wanted to say I’m in the same predicament. 7mnth off the pill and cycles so far have been 28, 44, 39, 54, and now on day 62 and no sign of af. Went to docs last month and they took bloods, came back “normal”- slightly raised lh. Goin back next week for another blood test to see if anything has changed. Last month I had 3 positive opks on different days so not surprised lh was raised, this cycle so far haven’t had a positive although stopped testing weeks ago. Very worried now about it, frustrated as I am ttc.
Forgot to say was on the pill for 9years with very regular 28 day cycles before going on it!
Hi Everyone. I stopped birth control about 5-6 months ago. I had my periods for 15 days straight n then some randpm bleeding. Today I had bright bloos show up and then nothing after an hour. Ive had this before-basically mimicing implantaion bleeding. Those darn pills made me lose my sex drive and I’m only 25! Suggestions or anyone going through what I am? I read a lot of comments about no periods at all.
Doing some light research trying to figure out what’s going on in my uterus and discovered this site! Yay!
I started birth control when I was 16 due to irregular, sporadic, terrible periods. I stopped taking it when I was 21 because I didn’t have health insurance anymore. Within a month, my face and back were covered in acne, a problem I hadn’t even experienced in my beginning years of puberty. It took about 5-6 months for that to clear up, and it still comes and goes. Now, it’s been 13 months and I’ve not yet had a period. Recently, I’ve had this issue where I feel like I have menstrual cramps. I’m moody, bloated. Every time, I’m think, “OH, YIPPEE, I’M FINALLY GETTING A PERIOD!” And nope, nothing.
I don’t know if I should be concerned or not. Six months ago, I went to a clinic for a case of food poisoning, for which the NP ordered a pregnancy test because she could not accept that I was “6 months late” and NOT pregnant. It came back negative. Since then, I’ve taken two more tests, just to be safe. I’m not exactly sexually active at the moment so I’m not concerned about that. I just want to know if this is normal? How long until my cycle comes back? Why do I feel like I’m getting cramps sometimes?
I’ve been on the pill for about 10 years. It’s been 3 months since coming off of it. I also came of methadone and coffee at the same time. My period usually comes within a week after I take my last pill for the month, and it did. My period cramps Came back, a bit of acne and I have never been this thin since I was a teenager. I lost 43 lbs since coming off of methadone and the pill. I thought it may be because of the methadone why my period was irregular… The reason I came across this Site was because I suddenly got my period this morning and I had just had it 2 weeks ago and 2 weeks ago it alarmed me also because I had my period 2 weeks before that. So they’re coming everybody weeks. Not so heavy and only for 4 days. I had gotten pregnant 3 years ago when I had started methadone and had scheduled an abortion because of my belief that I didn’t want to bring a child into this world addicted to opiates and going through withdrawals. But the day of my scheduled abortion, I had miscarried and I seen that as a blessing because I honestly couldn’t live with myself if I went through with it. But the point of that story is that I had been on birth control and my Dr hadn’t prescribed me yet so I was birth control free for a month. That’s how I got pregnant. So Idk if I became infertile. Idk if my periods are all waky due to coming off methadone or the pill? When I was on the pill I knew exactly when to expect my period. It was like taking my methadone daily. I’d take my bc pill daily. Never missed a day and I just quit both 3 months ago and bam! 3 periods within 6 weeks. What gives?
Mine are doing the same thing. I asked my GYN and she said it’s just my body trying to regulate my cycle. It’s very frustrating!
I’ve been on the pill for 10 years straights aswell, have been off it for about 2 months now. Got my period a couple of days after I stopped taking the pill (as per usual) however haven’t had it since. I never realised it’s so common to not get your period after stopping the pill. I’ve spoken to friends about it and they’re all shocked aswell. I’m really surprised us girls don’t learn about this some where along the way!! I’m really surprised and would have stopped the pill ages ago had I known the effects of it!
I’m a personal trainer, live an active lifestyle and eat very healthy. I’m going to visit a naturopath in a couple of days and very interested to see what they have to say!
Hi, it is very alarming to read that so many women are having the same dilemma. I was on the contraceptive pill ‘Levlan ED’ for four years and I took it everyday religiously. In order to start a more healthy lifestyle free of any foreign substances I decided to come off the pill. That was in February, and I had my last pill on the last day of my period. I got my first period two months after that, but it was nothing like the ones I had when I was on the pill. It was quite light and fizzled out by the 4th day, whereas usually it went for a definite 5 days. It’s now the end of Nov and I haven’t had anything since. I guess I could say that I have been getting a little more acne than usual and Its been difficult to shed some stubborn fat, whereas its never really been a problem. All of the advice I have been reading just tells you to be patient and wait for your hormones to come back into balance. I am not in a relationship so I am not having intercourse so I am definitely not preggers. I had a blood test and everything came up perfect, hormones, cholesterol etc…was all fine. I am just getting a little worried because maybe one day I will want to have kids. I’m starting to worry that PCOS may be a possibility and if so..is the pill responsible????? I had nothing wrong before I started taking the darn thing! I will never go back on it and I wish I never went on it to start with. Is there light at the end of the tunnel???
Hi,
I came off the pill at least 6 months ago, after always having consistent regular periods and now have the most inconsistent, painful periods ever. My cycles are 6-8 weeks long, which is very out of the ordinary for me and freaked me out the first time it happened. I also have cramps for about 2-3 weeks, just about everyday, before my period even comes. Then, when my period actually comes, its only for 2 or 3 days. I am going through ibuprofen like you wouldnt believe trying to get rid of my cramps all the time and worrying every day that my period is coming! I am getting so sick of it! I dont know whether I should just get back on the pill (bc I’m not trying to get pregnant at the moment) or if I should just continue to wait this out, but it is so terrible. Do I need to go to the doctor? Is something else going on? I am a very healthy person; I exercise 3-4 times a week, lifting weights and running, and I eat a very healthy, gluten free diet, I just dont know what else I can do. Can anyone help me?
I recently went back to taking birth control, I only took it for a week and ended up getting my period twice that same month. It’s been a month later and no sign of my period, I’m pretty sure I’m not pregnant. Help please someone:(
Here’s my experience so far of coming off the pill after being on it continuously for the last 10 years:
-I broke out something horrible on my face and chest, some on my back. My skin was/is much oilier as well. I was horrified, since I hadn’t had that bad of acne since I was a teenager. At least it wasn’t the cystic, painful acne. But after 4 months (and some topical acne cream from the derm), my skin is pretty much back to normal besides the small flare up right before I get my period.
– I was losing at lot of hair right after I stopped taking the pill. Lots in the shower, sink, floor…etc. I was a bit scared but asked my doctor about it and she said it was normal while my body regulates and it should slow down/stop soon. I have noticed I am losing much less now.
-My cycle is shorter now. Instead of the clockwork 28 days when on the pill, my current cycle is between 24-26 days, which kind of sucks.
It’s only been four months since I stopped taking the pill and the negative symptoms above seem to be short term, so far. Here are the positives I’m experiencing, which I hope are long term:
-I easily dropped 5 lbs within the first week or two of stopping the pill. I know most women’s weight fluctuate with their cycle, but now I don’t seem as constantly “bloated” or retain as much water.
-My libido is back.
-My periods are LESS painful and are now 1-2 days shorter, if you can believe that. This makes me mad because when on the pill, it wasn’t even a “real” period. I would have the traditional PMS symptoms too like: carb/junk food cravings, bloating, painful cramps, really sore breasts…etc. So far, I only have a small face flare up, but cramps are almost non-existent and no sore breasts.
-My periods started back right away. I stopped taking the pill at the end of the pack, and got my first period almost exactly at the time I would if I would’ve stayed on it. My cycle since this has been a bit more inconsistent, but not enough to alarm me.
So the first 3 months were a little rough, but my body is starting to normalize and I’ll take it! We’re not TTC anytime soon so we will need to discuss other forms of BC, but I’m “lucky” right now not to have to worry about it since my husband is deployed.
For all of you still not getting your period or worried about your symptoms, I’d give it at least 6 months, if not a year (if you haven’t already) to get your body back into its natural rhythm consistently. Although I feel like I’ve normalized in only 4 months, I’m going to wait another 4-6 to get a consistent read on my cycle. Keep the conversation open with your doctor too, but hearing stories like these (good and bad) makes us realize what an involved role hormones play in our bodies and how every woman will have a different experience with them.
I was on birth control (nuvaring) for 7 years and I got off in July of this year. I had a period August-September but nothing this month. My husband and I are ready to have a baby, but I’m having issues and I have taken pregnancy tests, but I’m not pregnant. I’m frustrated, scared, and upset at my body right now.
I was on birth control (nuvaring) for 7 years and I got off in July of this year. I had a period August-September but nothing this month. My husband and I are ready to have a baby, but I’m having issues and I have taken pregnancy tests, but I’m not pregnant. I’m frustrated, scared, and upset at my body right now. HELP!!!
Had second lot of blood tests, all came back normal. Got to have one more for prolactin which causes irregular periods and could be a possible cause. The doc said if it isn’t Prolactin it could just be a case of waiting it out…. Anyone else got any updates?, I’m interested to see how other people have got through this.
Hi, I posted not long ago, but basically I haven’t had my period for 10 months! I had a blood test a couple of months ago to test all of my hormone levels and they all came up normal! I was told it is just a waiting game. Because everyone is different it will take longer for some people and not so long for others. Other than no period….I feel great! I haven’t experienced any PMS or any other symptoms. Is there anyone out there who has actually waited it out for a long time and how long? and what was the outcome? Thanks for the update Colleen!
Playing the waiting game 6 months on….Apparently it can take up to two years??
Ok, so a couple of days ago my boobs started getting a little tender and I started showing signs of PMS (although at the time my feelings were totally justified)(lol)! Today I woke up like any other morning and used the toilet first and much to my surprise….yes…it had arrived! 11months after stopping the pill, I finally got my period! Now I’m not getting too excited just yet, it’s only been one day and it is quite a light flow…but non the less it has shown up! I suppose time will only tell if this cycle will last a week and if next month it shows itself again! I’m pretty stoked! 11 months has seemed like forever! And nw I canfinally start feeling like a woman again! Never thought I’d ever say that I am glad to have my period! There is still hope ladies!!! Winning
So last month I got period for the first time since 11months ago! Now it is a month later and it is due again. No sign yet! No symptoms either!
Hello Morgan,
Sorry i know this is 5 years later haha but im having the same problem! I want to know did you periods get back to normal after February and if so how long? Im feeling so frustrated and i have only just found this thread and so many women are going through the same! I stopped taking my pill end of march due to my body rejecting the pill and my body just did not work well with it at all i was on the pill for 2 years and now today its May 16th and still i have no period but signs of PMS the past two weeks but still nothing at all! 🙁
Hi ,
I love this site and came across it by accident but wanted to comment as I’ve recently come off the Pill .
I had been on it for four years since getting divorced as I was terrified of getting pregnant again after having two boys by my then husband.
I recently decided to come off it for health reasons as had mild abnormal smear results and health problems that I discussed with my doc that could have been contributed to by taking the pill ( the doctor even agreed on this ! ) .
Since coming off I have also been taking Milk thistle supplements to cleanse my liver , evening primrose oil , a good quality a – z multi-vitamin and eccinacea and bee propolis to boost my immune system and I have to say I feel amazing !
It was like many other woman on here have said a complete jump into the unknown but after having a health scare it was one I felt was important to do .
I’ve been pill free a month and my period has started dead on cue amazing !
I think that regular exercise combined with good supplements, a healthy diet and detoxing really helps the body get back into balance after the pill and would recommend this to everyone because I feel soooo much better !
I don’t want to go back on the pill again as it definitely depleted my body in a lot of ways.
So now I just need to find another source of contraception other than condoms as unfortunately they seem to split with me lol .
The trials of a woman !
Hi Claire,
I had irregular period problem and was diagnosed with PCOD. I was recommended contraceptive pills for 9-12 months. There was a big cyst initially but after doing a 10 months course, I got an ultrasound done and was told that there are poly cysts but the big one is dissolved. After I have stopped taking the pills, my periods are getting delayed by 2 months to 75 days. Is it normal? What is solution?
Hi everyone, I found this website when googling about a missed period after coming off the pill myself. I found it SO useful. I came off the pill in June and I haven’t had a period until now in DECEMBER. So if you are out there and worrying, don’t despair. I began to take Agnus Castus tablets, vitamin B and iron on the recommendation of a herbalist a website. Five days after taking them I got my period. I don’t know whether it was coincidence or whether it actually helped, but I just wanted to let you all know incase it was useful for anyone else. I’ll keep you posted with any developments as and when I have any. Thanks 🙂
* by the way, I meant to say, I have PCOS as well, so if you are having problems with PCOS then please don’t despair.
Hi there, I came off the pill 3 and half months ago. I have been on the pill 11 years, I tried to come off it before but my skin broke out after 2 months, I got scared and went straight back on it (Dianette), I then switched to Marvelon after a year of Dianette. But for the past couple of years I have suffered severe night sweats and have had a headache almost every day, and a migrane the day I’m due on, so my GP advised I come off the pill to see if it would eliviate my symptoms. My experience so far:
POSITIVES:
– Periods are the same, every 23 Days, they are slightly heavy but nothing to worry about
– Have lost 1 stone in weight and have gone from a UK SIze 8/10 to a 6!
– Breasts have reduced from a 34 F to a 32 D
– Libido is through the roof, and alot more ‘lubrication’ (Sorry TMI!)
– Family members have said that my overall ‘mood’ seems lifted, dont seem so snappy
– Have only had a handful of night sweats, no where near as severe, I used to soak 3 pairs of pjamas and the bed sheets EVERY NIGHT
– Have had 1 headache, thats all, and no migraines
– Have been advised that once Copper IUD is removed I will regain my natural fertility the very same day- handy as my boyfriend and I want to try for a baby next year 🙂
NEGATIVES:
– I have had flawless skin for as long as I can remember (after my stint of Dianette, so say 5/6 years?), and now my skin is oily and I have had outbreaks of spots, mainly the closed comedone types that are difficult to see, but a few painful under the skin types and a few pustules thrown in for good measure!) I’m very self concious so this has been hard, but luckily no-one has noticed (I’m a dab hand with concealer!) everyone just keeps commenting on how fabulous my figure looks haha. I’ve been taking Vitamin A, Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin B as these are suppsed to help hormonal acne. I’m praying that after the 6 month to a year ‘adjustment period’ this will subside…
– Anxiety levels have been horrendous, to the point where I am taking low dose anxiety medication to help me sleep at night, although this is getting better
– Fluctuations in moods, very happy one minute, crying over silly things the next
– Hair shedding after 2 months, luckily this has calmed down and I did have ALOT of hair to begin with so it hasnt made alot of difference (only to me when I feel it)
So that’s 8 Pro’s and 3 Cons. And the Cons should with time heal themselves (fingers crossed)- do any ladies have hormonal acne after stopping the pill? Did it settle down after a while? And do the mood fluctuations settle? I know everyone can be a bit PMS at times 😉
Thanks for reading.
Jade x
Sorry, 4 cons, but I class the mood flucuations and anxiety in the same category 😉 x
Wow, the joys of being a woman in Western society! I’m so glad to read about some of the stories, similar to my own on here. Knowing you’re not alone helps, even if we are all still stumbling around trying to find answers. I can tell you now I will be keeping (if I’m blessed enough to have them!) my daughters away from using the pill at all. There are so many other options. So here’s my story.
I was on the pill for 11 years, from 16. Fairly regular but long cycles (35 days) and then went on the pill at 16. I came off this November 2012 and lucky for me it took 6 weeks for a break through bleed and besides a little stress that maybe saw one or two cycles out of whack, I went back to pre-pill cycling. Even better is I was being sent a memo when I was ovulating. It was totally liberating! However, I shouldn’t have jumped up and down so much. Few stresses in my life, a move and some family stuff saw them stop altogether at the end of July, 7 cycles in. No problem, just stress. Stress is gone now….no period… Even better is I get all the symptoms, CM cycles and there are times I swear I ovulated and still nothing. I’m not pregnant, hormones are find and no PCOS. What a mess. I relate to the whole “feeling like a woman”, because that natural cycle is clearing for us girlies as much as we can despise it. I feel like I’ve got a compound build up of emotion, hormone and everything else. Even better is ultra-sounds show up nothing, I eat very little sugar, healthy and active (not too much) and still ‘no show’. It is a huge source of depression for me, I feel totally inadequate. I was having TCM and acupuncture at the time and in the end the man was so annoyed with how western women (very unknowingly) expect any different. Didn’t do much for my self esteem so I left. Maca has been fabulous, Vitex and I usually take a good bacteria capsule for my gut health. I am absolutely at loss to the point where I just want to give up and just say well this is it “I can’t have kids”. And it’s terrible, because I don’t feel ‘infertile’. It seems so against what my body wants to be…Or is it all in my head? Maybe I should accept it? False hope which had me cycling normally for 7 months. I’ve had clear skin before the pill and now I battle. 28 and looking like a teenager doesn’t help much. Thank goodness for darling husband who loves me anyway!
Look forward to reading some success stories ladies. Will definitely be staying close to this post!
Good to hear all of your stories I don’t feel so alone n
Good to hear your stories and know I’m not alone in this. Tried for 1st baby over 12months then gave up due to PCOS. Tgen about 6mths later went off pill after 7 yrs just to have break n had regular periods (spot on to the day) which I had never had prior to pill n fell preg within 5 mths. Been on pill for PCOS for last 9yrs n new hubby n I want try for baby together. Went off pill 15 wks ago today n have had terribly painful acne n no sign of period ever since. I have also noticed that my sex drive has returned after what I thought my anti-depressants had stolen (post natal dep after 1st baby). I’m so bloated all the time n just want to have a period. We r not stressed about conceiving as we know with the PCOS it may not happen n we have both already been blessed with a child (prev relationships) so it a blessing if it happens. I just want my period back so my body feels normal again. It’s good to read these posts n know this is happ to others n is treatable. Thanks for your stories. B
This site has a new article about the dangers of a certain contraceptive pill called Yasmin/Yas! Very alarming! Interesting to know if any other brand or types of pills have dangerous side effects they are not telling us!
http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/marie-claire/features/world/article/-/16839237/yasmin-pill-side-effects-the-dangers-of-yaz/
Thank you, everyone, for your stories. Thought I would share mine as well…
I was put on the pill after being diagnosed with endometriosis and took it continuously (without a period) for 9 years. Over the past couple years I have really overhauled my diet and lifestyle to focus on more natural/alternative health (mostly paleo/primal) and read the work of Dr. Sara Gottfried, Alisa Vitti, etc., who discourage the pill. So I stopped taking it in June and started taking Femaprin/Vitex to help regulate my cycle naturally. After 3 months I had some dark spotting on and off for an entire month that never really turned into a “normal” looking period and have had nothing since except for some occasional thick/globby discharge, which makes me wonder if I’m ovulating. Very confusing. Hoping to do a month-long saliva test soon to see what is happening with my hormones. It is very helpful to know that I am not alone in this…
Waiting patiently for your update Claire unless I have missed it! xx
my update – My periods are 32 days apart still need to regulate to 28 but it is a 32 cycle and has remained 32 for the last 6 months. Taken blood tests, Thyroid test, Checked the size of my ovaries … everything is normal my doc says. My doctors put me on glucophage, famara and floic acid. My partner has done all the necessary tests and takes his vitamis he is fine And still no baby! :((( I did use Opk’s and they were all negative which is a bit worrying. Me freaking out that im not OV, But friends told me that your supposed to test 3 x in a day to see a result, wer i was only testing once in the am with my first wee.
One thing that has happened is my acne is back. I was thinking maybe this means my hormones are trying to figure themselves out! …. anyone?
The acne could definitely be a sign your hormones are doing something… Interesting. Stay tuned Jade, a very (exciting!) update next week on the blog! x
Ladies, thank you for all of this wonderful information! I google’d this topic because, like all of you, I was on BC for a long time (12 years), took it religiously, my cycle was perfect every month, felt great, no cramps, light periods, etc. My husband and I decided to think about kids, so I went off the pill. We almost immediately decided we were not ready to try so I wanted to go back on the pill. 5 months later, no sign of my cycle. I have spotting here and there but not enough to categorize as “cycle” that would allow me to go back on the pill. Numerous negative pregnancy tests as well. I’m going in this week to get blood work done to make sure nothing is out of whack.
I will say I have not had a weight fluctuation or any weird side affects of being off the pill, so I am thankful for that. I am, however, starting to worry that if we do want a child one day, I won’t be able to conceive.