Please help me! I was on the pill for about 13 years (most recently,

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Please help me! I was on the pill for about 13 years (most recently, OrthoTricyclen Lo) & stopped taking it last July (2005) because I'm trying to get pregnant. I haven't been successful in the prego department yet, but I won't give up! Anyway, my periods have been CRAZY ever since - very irregular, ranging from 28 - 42 days, but the bleeding has been normal & lasting for 5 days max. Most recently, I got my period for 5 days on June 26th (for 5 days) & then again on July 3rd (for 5 days) & then I spotted all month & then got my period again on July 31st. I have FINALLY stopped regular bleeding after 15 days & now it's down to a very light brown "trickle" which I only see when I go to the bathroom. I have kept my gyno notified through this whole ordeal & she says not to worry (& that she can only treat me hormonely via the pill, but no way). Please help! Do I need a second opinion (besides yours :) or do I just see what happens this month??? (PS - I have had basically no cramping this whole time)

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 29

Already Tried:
talking to my gyno

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

It can take a couple of months for you to regulate after taking birth control pills for so long as now you are experiencing the hormonal changes that happen when you stop. It can take up to three months for your cycle to regulate after stopping the pill and your physician is correct the only way to regulate it is to restart the pill but this will not help as it will just occur again when you stop to again try pregnancy. You need to just allow your system to get through the hormonal changes and then regulate, you may even get pregnant through this time since you are more apt to get pregnant right after stopping the pill or a previous pregnancy. So do nothing but monitor your cycle as it will regulate especially since you are experiencing no cramping.

*Cheryl K* Please click the "ACCEPT" button
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Reply to Cheryl K.'s Post: Thanks so much for the quick reply. I understand it can take months, but do you think that it could take up to a year (because I did take the pill for so long & I stopped taking it a little over a year ago)? THANKS AGAIN SOOO MUCH - just want to be clear :)

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on August 15 2006 at 1:23 PM

You are so very welcome. It can take a few months to regulate but in most cases where there are no medical issues the rate of pregnancy achieved before one year ss fairly high. But since you did take it for so long it could take longer as you are seeing. Since it has been a year, I would expect it to regulate soon but if it does not then I would recommend further testing to determine if there are any other issues with fertility but yes in many cases of long term pill use it can take this long, so try not to worry as stress is one of the leading causes of hormonal changes that cause irregular cycles as well. So try to think positive and I am sure as long as all pelvic exams and testing have been fine it will occur as you enjoy trying :o) You are very welcome and I wish you the best of luck!!!

*Cheryl K* Please click the "ACCEPT" button
if my information was helpful so I get credit for my work. Bonuses and/or feedback are greatly appreciated! Click reply for more info

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