TTC Frustration :(

[Misdy]

I went off of birth control a month and a half ago, because we were going to start trying to conceive in November. And now, when I'm ready to start, my period is a week and a half late with no signs of showing up (not pregnant). I don't know if it's late, or been skipped. Normally I am completely regular... and it's super frustrating, because with no period, I can't do any charting, or know what's going on with my cycle, or if I'll even ovulate this month. I'm losing the month of November. :( I've been ready to start trying for years, and I'm so upset that this is happening!! Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice? When should I contact my doctor to see if something is wrong?

[Aslan]

You can contact your doctor, but it may take months for your cycle to regulate itself after you come off of bc. Good luck. OPK's can be helpful to those with irregular periods; you can stock up on cheapies and use them during your cycle.

[Bags4Bubbles]

I experienced a similar problem, birth control had always regulated my cycles. So the first month I was off of it I had a regular 28 day cycle, then each month afterward my cycle started increasing by 10 days... until it just disappeared altogether! I had a 38 day cycle, then 48 day cycle, then the next month/time frame.... nothing! So it was totally irregular and basically impossible to chart and ovulation sticks never worked for me.

From the end of June until September I had no cycle (HPTs in July & August yielded negative results), so I set up an appointment with my doctor to figure out what was happening. At my first appointment with my doctor, after hearing everything that had been happening and checking out my calendar - she took some bloodwork to send to the lab and suggested that we would start Provera (to get my cycle going) and Clomid on the next week... However, when she got my test results back, it turned out that I was between 5-6 weeks pregnant at that point! (Thank goodness I turned down taking the prescription for the Provera until I came back the following week, which she offered me BEFORE getting my test results back!)

I've read everywhere that it may take up to 6 months or more for your cycle to regulate after discontinuing birth control... in my case, it never became regular and I don't have a reason why I probably missed one or more cycles at the beginning of the summer. I totally understand your frustration though, my suggestion that I've given to anyone in this situation is KEEP taking the HPTs - that was the biggest mistake I made, I stopped taking them in August just assuming I wasn't ovulating and it was a few weeks between when my appointment with my doctor was made and when they were actually able to get me in.

I would give it a few months if you feel like you can wait that long to bring that information to your doctor on what your cycle has done post-birth control. If it's been a few months, it's gone irregular or missing, and you are starting to really wonder what's going on, I would contact your doctor and they can do some bloodwork & other tests to hopefully give you some answers. My doctor scheduled an ultrasound to check out everything before we knew I was pregnant, so that turned into a baby ultrasound - but I mention that because it may be something they suggestion. GL! I was in your shoes a few months ago, so I know how frustrating it is! Just try to stay positive and go with your gut instinct!

Sending some baby dust your way!

[Misdy]

Did you ovulate without having a period? I'm wondering if I should start using opks in a few days just in case that happens.

[jenniletv]

You could try them. Its worth a shot.

[Bags4Bubbles]

Originally Posted by Misdy

Did you ovulate without having a period? I'm wondering if I should start using opks in a few days just in case that happens.

I'm not sure?? It appears that I did "in a sense".. but, maybe I just didn't ovulate or have a cycle for a few months, then I happened to ovulate and BD at the right time. (Whereas if I wouldn't have DTD at the right time, then maybe I finally would have gotten a cycle... or maybe not.) Hopefully I'll be able to better figure out what happened when my due date is confirmed at our next ultrasound. Not that I'm doubting the first one, just seems like there's a bit of time where I could go earlier.

I would try the OPKs for longer then they suggest on the box, I could never get them to work for me even doing two boxes together. Hopefully that would help you catch when you're ovulating though. If not, I would definitely try one of those Clear Blue Fertility Monitors if it's something that interests you... I was looking into getting one of those at the same time I made the appointments with my doctor trying to figure out if there was a larger problem. It is an investment, but they seem like they can give you more info then the OPKs too. I'm definitely going to keep it in mind for our next one.

Keep us posted!

[Litigatrix]

I just went off the pill, too, and I'm on day 60 of my cycle. I have been monitoring my CM, and it keeps changing, but then my temp never goes up. I don't have an OB/Gyn because I just kept going to one in my hometown, so I have an appointment a few days before Thanksgiving to find out my options. Until then, it's more waiting for me. When I went off the pill about 8 years ago, it took me 6 months to get my period. It is so frustrating when you've been thinking about doing it for so long, and finally you are ready to take the plunge, but your body doesn't cooperate!

[Misdy]

I know exactly how you feel! My body has been doing some strange things since I stopped the pill. I stopped once before a few years ago and never noticed anything odd except major breakouts, but this time it's been different - maybe because I'm keeping such a close eye on things now. Luckily, no breakouts this time, but it looks like I'm going to have irregular cycles, and the oddest thing is all the random cramping that I've had.

If you haven't had a temperature change, maybe you've been having anovulatory cycles, which would leave you without a period, but it does mean that you could ovulate at any time without expecting it. Who knows. It's so confusing. My temperatures are pretty consistent - I dropped down in temperature right before ovulation (97.1), then spiked up again over 98... normally my temperature is about 97.5.

I did finally get my period (2 weeks late), and I hope that means that things will be back on track.

[Litigatrix]

I had random cramping, too. Also breakouts and mood swings. So much fun. I am hoping that it will regulate itself in time, but it's very frustrating to wait it out. My temps range anywhere from 97.5-97.8. Only 3.5 more weeks until I can get out of new patient purgatory and finally see a new dr!