Post # 1
Member
249 posts
Helper bee
Hey bees!
Ive been feeling super low today… I went off the pill in January after ~12 years on, hoping to get pregnant this spring/early summer but so far my cycles are still out of whack (37 then 33, and then 40 day cycles so far) and my AFs have been only 2-3 days of very light bleeding and some spotting for a day or so after. I was just really hoping things would regulate by now and I just dont see how I could possibly get pregnant with such light AFs. This is only our second month trying but already I feel so defeated!
Just so wondering if any of you have experience with this TTC after the pill. We’re keeping our TTC quiet so I don’t really have anyone else to vent to and I’m quietly losing my mind over here lol
Thanks in advance <3
Post # 2
Member
713 posts
Busy bee
KHogan: Have you been temping and using OPK’s?
Post # 3
Member
9811 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
You could call your OB if you haven’t had regular cycles in 6 months. From what I’ve read, it usually takes women ~3 cycles or less to regulate so if it’s been longer it might be worth a call as the issue might be something other than having been on the pill. I was on the pill 16 yeras but seemed to have regular cycles as soon as I went off. However, there is a broad range of “normal” for menstrual cycles. 21-35 day cycles are considered normal, assuming your cycles are roughly the same number of days each time (they don’t have to be exactly the same number each time).
I charted for over a year and my cycles ranged from 24-29 days (average was 26). The longest was because I traveled right before my normal ovulation and that pushed my ovulation date back by 3 or 4 days and made my cycle longer. Sometimes travel or stress can delay O.
If it’s only been two months of actually trying, I would continue to try until you’ve gone through 6 cycles and then call your OB if your cycles are still all over the place. Also, you might track cervical fluid or consider temping or using OPKs so you can see when/if you are likely to be ovulating. If you are ovulating, it could be anywhere from CD 19-30, so it would be important to make sure you are having sex regularly (every other day or so) from CD 16-30.
I’m not really sure on if how light or heavy your AF is matters (within reason).
Post # 4
Member
249 posts
Helper bee
I Haven’t been temping as my work schedule is all over the place (I work 28h shifts about 5-6 times a month) but I’m thinking I’ll start this next cycle and just omit days when I’m not sleeping my usual times. I started OPK this month and had a positive on June 1 (CD18) with what I thought was some EWCM which was exciting but had a BFN today. Maybe that’s why I’m bummed.. I got really excited about my first positive OPK and thought this could be it but looks like I’m out this month.
Post # 5
Member
249 posts
Helper bee
kes18: ya i think you have a good point about checking in about the irregular cycles. Maybe I’ll book an appointment next week once I have another cycle done. I think the unknown of it all is stressing me out, and maybe having some answers and feeling proactive would help.
Post # 6
Member
110 posts
Blushing bee
I totally could have written your post. I came off BCP end of February and have not even finished my third cycle yet!! This is my second cycle temping and I seem to be ovulating on CD27!! I also had three rounds of positive OPKs this month before I finally ovulated – so frustrating and confusing.
I don’t really have any advice but I just wanted to let you know that you aren’t alone. If your cycles are anything like mine then I would recommend to keep up with the OPKs all cycle and see how you get on. I would have definately missed ovulation if I hadn’t. Good luck and pm me if you ever need to talk/rant. I haven’t told many people either x
Post # 7
Member
110 posts
Blushing bee
Oh and yes to really light periods too!! I was convinced I was pregnant early in my second cycle because everything was so light. Why is TTC so stressful!!
Post # 8
Member
713 posts
Busy bee
KHogan: The reason I asked about that was because my cycles were irregular after getting off birth control pills. Over 6 months later and they were all over the place, but I was getting my period too soon, with a short luteal phase. I started temping and using OPKS, and we had some well timed BD. Two months in we had a BFP, meanwhile my doctor thought I was going to have problems and referred me to an RE.
Post # 9
Member
249 posts
Helper bee
kitkat183: sorry to hear you’re also going through this <3 thats a good point though I just got so excited about my positive OPK that I stopped checking… ill be sure to test for longer next cycle!
ChooAndLou: that’s so nice to hear that despite having irrgular cycles you still had a BFP!
Post # 10
Member
9435 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I had irregular and sometimes very long cycles and didn’t have trouble getting pregnant.
Post # 11
Member
2394 posts
Buzzing bee
KHogan: Don’t get discouraged yet! Your periods are light, but so were mine and I got pregnant just a few cycles after going off the pill. In fact, I wasn’t even really HAVING periods – more like spotting – and I still got pregnant. Here’s the deal though – you’ve only been trying for two cycles. They tell you that you don’t even need to go in to see the Dr. until you’ve been trying for an entire year. It’s totally normal not to get pregnant on your first shot out of the gate. Give it some time, try to relax, enjoy all the BD’ing, and don’t let yourself get discouraged!
Post # 12
Member
2523 posts
Sugar bee
My cycles went back to normal after the first month. I was surprised they went back to normal immediately, but they are supposed to go back to normal within 3 months. I would definitely ask your OB about it. It might just be your periods still adjusting, but it is best for someone who has actually studied these things look at you and access.
Post # 13
Member
9811 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
KHogan: Yeah, long or irregular cycles can be a sign of PCOS but even having PCOS doesn’t mean you will automatically have problems getting pregnant. It does cause issues for some pepole, but not all. I have friends with confirmed PCOS who didn’t really have an issue getting pregnant (outside of it just taking longer because of longer cycles). Her OB told her she could come get clomid when she wanted to get pregnant but she got pregnant easily enough without it. 2 cycles is not a big deal yet (especially since you’ve only had 3 cycles and it could take you just a bit longer to regulate), I’d give it 6 cycles before I started to get concerned. Even up to a year is normal but if your cycles continue remain irregular I wouldn’t hestitate to ask my OB at 6 months. Just make sure you are regularly having sex especially later in your cycle, CD 16-30 or thereabouts.
Post # 14
Member
249 posts
Helper bee
Westwood: thats good to hear! Thanks!
Soon2bmrs1: that’s actually so reassuring thank you so much for sharing. Honestly Ive been stressing that 1) these uber light periods May mean I’m not really having a cycle and 2) that there’s no endometrium for an embryo to implant. You’re totally right I need to chill out and enjoy the process… and perhaps be a little more patient with it all.
Post # 15
Member
137 posts
Blushing bee
you sound like me, 13 years on the pill. Cycles after getting off were 44 days, 30, 38, 52, and the most recent would have been around 54-56 days also had super light AF, 3 days which was unheard of for me. Needless to say I felt like you, way to unpredictable to successfully TTC, not to mention all the other issues I thought could be going on to cause the irregularity. Took OPKs for 42 days before getting a positive, did the deed (with zero expectation of anything happening) and bam, pregnant (I’m abour 8 weeks now). So don’t let the long irregular cycles freak you out, things might be working just fine. Only thing Id recommend is opks, temping or both, just so you can get timing right. Good luck!
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