Coming off Birth Control - Experience?

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apriljackss
apriljackss Posts: 96 Member
Hi, fellow cyst-ers!

First, a little background - I am 26 and I was diagnosed with PCOS about 3 years ago after having very irregular periods my entire reproductive life. I was put on birth control and told that when it came time to try to get pregnant, I would most likely have to use fertility drugs.

Fast forward to now - I have done a lot of research on the subject and truly believe that diet is the best way to manage my PCOS. I am getting married next July and would like to be able to conceive a child naturally sometime thereafter. Since January, I have been on a strict supplement regimen and since about mid-way through March I have eliminated gluten and dairy (with a few slip ups here and there) from my diet. I have lost about 17 lbs since March and made the decision about 2 months ago to quit birth control to see if I could get my body back on track naturally.

Well, I have skipped two cycles now and I know that it's normal to have some irregularity after stopping birth control, but does anyone have any experience with this? How long did it take for your cycles to regulate, or did they ever regulate? What did you do and what advice, if any, can you give me?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Replies

  • miranda_mom
    miranda_mom Posts: 873 Member
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    I actually had a few regular cycles both times I went off (both times in order to conceive). I had maybe two or three months that were normal each time, then they became irregular after that.


    After having my son in January, I have had normal cycles now since March. Waiting to see if they become irregular again or if they stay normal (I take Metformin, which did regulate them for me in the past).
  • kbshannon
    kbshannon Posts: 31 Member
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    I was diagnosed with PCOS back when it was called Stein-Leventhal Syndrome (mid 1980s). Was on ridiculous BC meds for a long time until I got some great treatment by an RE back in 2004. He put me on Metformin, and I started ovulating within the first month. I was religious with tracking temperatures, exercising, eating healthfully. It was great. I got pregnant without fertility meds at 36 years of age. But here is the kicker: it seems that I had a miscarriage that I didn't know I had when I was working in a place that damned near killed me with the stress of the job. Six weeks after leaving the job, I fell pregnant and it stuck. On the ultrasound is where we found the "remnants" of the miscarriage.

    In other words, make your life as healthy as you can and make it easier on yourself to maintain a pregnancy. You may need assistance, or you may not, but give yourself the best possible scenario to create a life, either way you go.

    Baby dust and hugs!
  • AmazingGracexox
    AmazingGracexox Posts: 12 Member
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    I came off BC a year ago, for the first 6 months I had 28-30 days cycles then they became very irregular (25-42 days). However, I started using ovulation strips last month (more as a method of BC as we're not TTC) & found that I'm ovulating between day 14-16 of my cycle.

    I would definitely recommend the ovulation tests. You can get batches of them really cheap on amazon :) xox
  • jerseymack23
    jerseymack23 Posts: 19 Member
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    Got married last March, went off BC in April (wanted to get pregnant)... it's been over a year and never got my period back. Done Provera twice (bled both times). Seeing specialist... :/ Good luck!
  • la_vie_est_belle_
    la_vie_est_belle_ Posts: 139 Member
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    t time I went off the pill I missed my period for 9 months! (And I wasn't pregnant lol)
  • apriljackss
    apriljackss Posts: 96 Member
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    Thanks for the responses! I'm just trying to get as much information as I can from real women because after my doctor's appointment yesterday I'm feeling a bit defeated. He said, and I quote, "there is nothing you can do for PCOS except hormonal birth control to regulate your cycle". I feel like hundreds of women can't be wrong, there have to be things I can do. I'm almost to month 3 with no period but I'm trying to remain hopeful that I can get it on track.
  • sharimedina
    sharimedina Posts: 116
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    Hi! This is my first post on mfp and you compelled me. :smile: The first thing you need to do is see a doctor that supports your journey. A short version of my story. I was 400 pounds, diabetic and PCOS with insulin resistance. I had weight loss surgery to try to be able to have kids and got down to 267. My Reproductive Endo took me off bcp and started me on metformin. Birth Control helps symptoms when you are not ttc, but when you are there are other options, like metformin. When I came off bc to ttc my cycles were 28 days for a month, then progressively got longer until they were 45-60 days and irregular. On metformin while ttc my cycles regulated to about 35 days after a few months of consistent use. My husband and I had the double whammy with my PCOS and his super low sperm counts. We did several months of clomid with insemination to no avail. (my luteal phase was 9-10 days and it took forever for my eggs to grow to the right size) I was frustrated. I got put on this huge jury trial that lasted 6 weeks and couldn't do the treatments, but told my husband it was okay because I needed the break. We got pregnant, while only on metformin, naturally...during that jury trial. I used ovulation prediction sticks every month to make sure we at least timed intercourse right. After my daughter was born I didn't go back on birth control. We were blessed with a healthy baby and the fertility treatments were hard....but I did stay on metformin and track my cycles. Low and behold, when my daughter was 13 months old we became pregnant with my son. I had my tubes tied and went back on birth control to regulate my hormones. A few years later I went cold turkey off the bcp because a friend had passed away, attributed to bcp and a blood clot. Scared me since I didn't need it for bc. This time around my cycles are 30 days spot on for a few years now.

    A couple of points to my story. Healthy eating, helps get your hormone levels primed up. Metformin can help that too. If that doesn't happen to work there are other fertility options. The most important thing is the doctor. Go to an OB with plans for a referral to a RE. The OB will see that you are trying this going without bc thing and how you aren't having cycles and get yourself started on some metformin now. That way when you are married and ready you will be ahead of the game for ttc IF fertility treatments are needed. Get the test strips too. Ebay or Amazon will have them bulk cheap. That way, when the metformin helps your cycles (fingers crossed) you can know before you ovulate. Track your cycles and keep a journal so that IF you have to see the RE you can let them know...it will help them a lot.

    I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone, there is hope, and keep the faith. A healthy lifestyle is the first step, so keep up the good work.

    Shari