Post-pill amenorrhoea

Hi Ladies

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I can't find the thread.

Have any of you suffered from post-pill amenorrhea? (no period after stopping the pill).

DH & I are planning to start TTC in June, so I came off the pill (after being on it for 9 years) end of February to regualte my natural cycle.
I had a pill withdrawl bleed on the 3-7th March, and it has now been about 1 1/2 months with no period.

I understand our bodies are different and it can take much longer for everything to go back to normal, but I guess i'm just interested in your stories, and if you have taken anything to help?

I've been researching Vitex - has this helped any of you?

It's just so frustrating!!

Hi ladies, I just thought I would share my story as well. I came of the pill at the beginning of November (2010) after 15 years on it and had an initial cycle of 40 days and got my period again. After that one though there was nothing for a VERY long time. In fact I have just had my period back now so my 2nd cycle off the pill amounted to a massive 115 days!!

My doctor has been great and sent me for some thorough blood tests when I got to 90 days which were all clear. These tested for abnormalities such as PCOS etc. She has also referred me to a specialist and I am waiting to hear from them, however I am hopeful that things will get back on track from here. My doc said that it can take anything up to a year to get your natural rhythm back and as all my blood tests were normal she is hopeful that my body just needs time to adjust. She only referred me as she said it couldn't hurt to get in the system in case things don't improve from here.

I started charting my temps part way through the mammoth cycle and I found this helped as it clearly indicated when I ovulated a couple of weeks ago so at least I knew my body was doing something!

I have been taking Vitex since CD67 and I am hoping that it is starting to work it's magic now and that my next cycle will be much shorter. I would certainly recommend giving it a go but bear in mind it can take a few months to work its way into your system to start regulating things.

I would say that regular communication with your doctor couldn't hurt so they are aware of your situation, however some are reluctant to do much until you have been trying for a good few months. If you don't get the answers you want don't be afraid to try a different doctor.

Most importantly don't let it get you stressed, your body will come good in it's own time and although it can get frustrating, you really aren't the only one going through it!

Right, sorry for the essay, good luck and baby dust to you all

Edited by MakeItWork

I went off the pill on our honeymoon back in jan 09 my period never came back at all. After trying for ages we were refered to Fertility associates and was given pills to start my period to start my cycle of clomid (late 09 early 2010) I still dont get Af unless given drugs to do so, apart from the start of this cycle for some reason. So we are still trying.

I should probally add that I have pcos, and was on the pill for 7 years.

I would reccommend asking your doc about pcos and get a scan done, the only real way of finding out if you have pcos is to have a looks at your ovaries.

Hope this helps in some small way and if you have anymore questions feel free to pm me

Thanks MakeItWork!
I think i'll try vitex and see how it goes.

I've been reading a bit on acupuncture as well - not a huge fan of needles, but I'm prepared to try it if it will help

Hi ladies, interesting reading these stories! I came off the pill just over a month ago, had a "pill period" then basically a normal month, having just finished my first period after a 31 day cycle. I thought it amazing I seemed so normal having been on the pill for 12 years, so now I'm thinking that could be my last one for ages. Neat, guess that won't help the baby making! I'd love to know how everyone else gets on from now on?

Hi Ladies

Thanks for sharing your stories!

I decided to hold off on starting Vitex, and something finally happened on day 45 post pill. I finally had a very light 3 day period. I can't remember what my period was like pre-BCP, but I'm sure it was never that light or painless.
I thought it would be heavier, but I'm taking it as a good sign and that my body is starting to work on it's own/producing hormones etc.

I'm on Cycle day 10 now. I hope this cycle is shorter or that I at least get a period again....

@PorterLou Have you been using OPK's or temping to try and pin point ovulation? I'm thinking of trying it soon during this cycle....

Good luck everyone

I came off the pill once before and went 7mths without AF, I was overseas and I wasnt very comfortable with finding a dr there.... so I kinda put my head in the sand and ignored it.... This time it was about three months, and I went to my GP who completed tests to check for PCOS.. which came back normal... I had a 50 day cycle, then a 14 day, then was pregnant... so goodness knows what is going on down there!

Yep... blood tests to start with, although I'm sure there are other tests aswell... but we didnt end getting to them! We also started doing bloods on certain days in the cycle to check hormone levels for ovulation...

NowMrsSmith wrote: @PorterLou Have you been using OPK's or temping to try and pin point ovulation? I'm thinking of trying it soon during this cycle.... Good luck everyone

Hi NMS! No as it was my first period after coming off the pill I'm just going with the flow (no pun intended!). We are in the seeing what happens camp (and thread ) so I'm trying not to get obsessed with my cycle though it is hard not to.

Doc's appt is at 2:30, I'll let you know how it goes but fingers crossed!