Stopped BC pills but no AF yet. Should I be worried?

[jimmysgirl424]

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[MichelleRenee]

I don't think there's a need to stress. Everyone's body adjusts differently to stopping BCP's.

[Lanapoo]

I wouldn't worry. My first two cycles after BCP were a little messed up (too short) but the third one was a perfect 28 day cycle. Everyone's different off of BCP's. I never worried about having normal cycles before TTC either since I've heard that it really doesn't affect the baby if you happen to get pg right away after BCP's.

[j*east]

Hmmm. I took the pill continuously the same way you did. When I knew we'd be TTC soon, I gave myself two one month cycles--still on the pill, but getting AF every month. When I took my last one, I got AF about two days later. What's weird in your case, if I'm reading right, is that you *just* stopped taking it and haven't gotten AF. It's pretty common to stop, get AF two days later, and then have a long wait (more than 35 days) to the next AF, but your situation is different, right?

So...don't panic. AF will probably come soon. But if a week goes by and no AF, I'd say call your dr. just to check that everything's ok. Also, if you're really stressed, take an HPT (home PG test). It is possible to get PG while you're on the pill, and you could be PG. (Though the chances are slim.)

Good luck and let us know what happens. :)

[jimmysgirl424]

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[Cath]

Since you were only on three weeks of pills instead of three months, it might just be that your body didn't have much chance to build up a uterine lining, so it's taking a while for your body to expel it.

Don't stress yet.

[CLW4KU]

I'm in the same boat you are. Granted I'm not married, nor having sex with my BF. However I should be starting a new pack of pills on Sunday and still haven't started. This is my first cycle to not start the second day of the placebo. I'm glad that it's not just my body doing weird things!

[lil_geek]

Since you were only on three weeks of pills instead of three months, it might just be that your body didn't have much chance to build up a uterine lining, so it's taking a while for your body to expel it.

Don't stress yet.

Ditto.... when I would do 3 cycles in a row, then do only 1...it would be MUCH lighter that month. Also, I take my last real pill on a Friday and AF doesn't show up until Tuesday/Wednesday.....

[jimmysgirl424]

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[kuklaki]

I was on the pill for 4 years straight. I took my pills on time and never manipulated my cycle ( I had my period every month). But when I quit the pill, it took me a whole year to get my period at all. I am not sure what exactly happened, but not having it for a whole year made me not want to get back on the pill at all. So I went to using condoms only. Now my pwriod is pretty regular (30-35 days).

[rubyslippers]

Once I stopped taking the pill it took me 4 months to get my period. I think it just takes longer for some people to get back on track.

[lil_geek]

I would think your first one should/would come at the same time any previous ones did...not like your body knows you aren't going back on it yet... and those 7 days are either no pill or sugar pills.

Have you tried a HPT?

[jimmysgirl424]

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[lil_geek]

See, thats what I thought too! I was expecting to my period pretty much on time since there is no difference in my cycle this time around. I was expecting my next cycle to be iffy because then my body will have realized it wasn't getting any more BC pills.

No HPT yet. I can't imagine that I would be PG. And if I was, it wouldn't be a good thing because that would mean I was taking BC pills after I was already PG.

Glad I'm not the only one with that theory! I could easily see if you had a normal pill period and THEN it went 6-8 or more weeks without.

Getting PG on the pill can happen... I have a cousin who was a result of it. Doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong.

Question: I have a simple question that I hope you can help me with. What would happen if a woman missed some birth control pills and became pregnant, but did not know she was pregnant, so she kept taking the pill?

Answer: She would stay pregnant and have a normal baby. It happens all the time (1% of women on BCP get pregnant). If she took a large dosage immediately after fertilization, it would probably cause a miscarriage, but this would take a rather large dosage of 4 to 6 pills. If she took her normal dosage this could happen, but is unlikely.

[jimmysgirl424]

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[j*east]

For some reason, I always thought a woman risked birth defects or something if she continued on the pill after getting PG.

No, don't worry about this. My cousin had two babies while on the pill and both were fine. You won't hurt the baby if you are PG. Since you just went off the pill and no AF yet, if it doesn't come soon I'd take an HPT. If negative, I'd call your dr. just to ask advice. He/she may tell you to wait or to come in, but it's best to know.

[jimmysgirl424]

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[lil_geek]

Did you HPT?

[jimmysgirl424]

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[lil_geek]

I think it's $10 that can rule out the first question your DR will likley ask. Obviously it's the most 'logical' explaination.

[j*east]

Yeah, your dr. will probably ask if you took one, or have you take one in the office just to be sure. Stranger things have happened.

[Steve's Sweety]

It took 80 days for me to get my first AF after stopping BCP.

If you want your Dr. to give you something to start it, s/he probably will.
I opted to wait it out and let my body regulate itself naturally, but I'm sure not everyone's body will do so.

[jimmysgirl424]

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[jimmysgirl424]

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[lil_geek]

Hmmm, you are around 10 days off BCP? And EWMC? Almost sounds like your body skipped the period (could have happened if you were planning on keeping on the pill anyway) and you are now about to ovulate! You can spend the few $$ on a OPK... or wait 2-3 more weeks and find out if you go through a natural cycle.

(Just as a note, I was reading the package insert in my pills last night and it said it's common to miss a period or 2 while on the pill and to only become concerned if you miss 3 in a row - so you could have been 'gearing up' to miss it)

[jimmysgirl424]

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[lil_geek]

There are tons of frames of thought on that. Some Dr's like you to wait 3 months.... but you are fertile with no adverse affects right after you go off the pill (in my insert it even says there is no need to wait to try - except for dating the pregnancy). If you want to activly TTC.... I say go for it!

[jimmysgirl424]

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[jimmysgirl424]

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[lawgirl4]

ummm... my first cycle off of BCP was about 86 days long! Second was 45 days long, and then it went to about 30-32 days. We got pg our first cycle trying (which was about 9 months after going off of BCP - we "charted to avoid" for a little while).

It took a friend of mine 6 months to get her first AF after stopping BCP. So you've been off the pill for not even 3 weeks and you're worried? I don't mean to be insensitive, but I don't think it's anything to worry about at this point. I would certainly mention it to your OB/GYN to get her opinion, but I think that he/she will probably tell you there's nothing to worry about at this point.

[jimmysgirl424]

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[Tonysweetie]

I hope you get an answer soon. I can imagine how frustrating this must be since you and your DH want to start TTC. (((HUGS)))

[lawgirl4]

"But for it to happen with no rhyme or reason whatsoever makes no sense to me."

then I would definitely contact your doctor instead of looking for answers on the internet - I'm sure he/she will have some experience & input, and hopefully some soothing answers.

[j*east]

Respectfully, I have to agree with lawgirl4. This has been bothering you for a while and I think calling your dr. would set your mind at ease. There's a limit to what we can tell you, since we're (or at least I am) not doctors.

[allyray231]

Respectfully, I have to agree with lawgirl4. This has been bothering you for a while and I think calling your dr. would set your mind at ease. There's a limit to what we can tell you, since we're (or at least I am) not doctors.

ITA with this. I think eveyone that has posted has been helpful to you. I am not sure you are finding the answer here that you want. I am sorry you are in this situation but at this point you need to talk to your doctor.

Good luck

[jimmysgirl424]

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[tlew12778]

I haven't read all the other replies, but my take on this is this -

Sometimes, when you are on the BCP, you can skip a period. It's not that common, but if you take all your pills correctly, it can happen and is considered acceptable health-wise. When this happens, they normally suggest you just keep taking your BCPs through the next pack and if you still do not get your period, to test and/or call your dr. It could be a sign that the hormone levels in that particular BCP are not right for your body. (Right now I am thinking, too little estrogen in one month, so not enough endometrial buildup... but with 3 months of straight BCP use, you had enough endometrial buildup.)

So my guess is that you might have skipped your period last month, btwn packs. Only you did not start the next pack. Sometimes, girls in the CTA thread go through REALLY long cycles right off the BCP. In most cases, they've gotten their last withdrawal bleeding though. But, like I said, this could have been a month you would have skipped an AF, effectively putting you into your first long cycle. Make sense?

I know you're impatient to get through your 2 cycles. You could call your dr now and explain that you never got your AF after your last pack of BCP, but he may also make you wait it out (each dr has their own limits) before prescribing progesterone to bring on AF.

[lawgirl4]

no problem - it's just that sometimes I fear that people just post here and don't realize that they could have their questions answered far more effectively if they just call their doctor... :)

[jimmysgirl424]

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[jimmysgirl424]

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[allyray231]

Wonderful news!!