Stopping taking the pill after years - what to expect?

[Anonymous]

I'm 33 and have been on the pill since college. What should I expect when I stop taking it? How long did it seem to take for your cycles to get regular, and did you have your period for weeks at first?

[Anonymous]

I was on the pill (ortho low) from age 17-26. I stopped taking the pill in December 07 and my period returned five weeks later. I decided to wait a few months to start TTC until I was sure of how regular my cycles were. I was worried as to how being on the pill so long might affect my fertility or cycle..but I was fortunate and had regular cycles and got pregnant in March of 08 in the first month trying. I am now due in December.

GOOD LUCK!

[Anonymous]

I was on and off it a few times. I know that at least once when I went off I had super heavy periods--had to go home and change--so you may want to be prepared with pads or super tampons just in case.

[Anonymous]

I was 35 when I stopped the pill, which I had taken since college (with a few breaks). I got pregnant the second month off the pill without trying. In fact, we were trying to avoid getting pregnant -- I thought my body would need a few months to adjust to being off the pill and I was planning to start trying to get pregnant a few months after stopping.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the encouraging replies! I am dreading the potential for an extended, ultra-heavy period, but if i can have good luck as quickly as some of you, it will all be worth it. thanks

[Anonymous]

you should expect pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I used the pill for 12 years, and then stopped, and was pregnant within five weeks.

[Anonymous]

I stopped taking the pill in April of this year, and started charting using Fertility Friend to monitor my cycles before we start TTC. First cycle off the pill was 35 days, but the following cycles have been more 'normal'. I didn't notice any eggwhite cervical fluid until my current cycle though.

[Anonymous]

I had the exact same experience as the 09:36 poster. I am 35, and after years on it (without regular cycles even), I had two normal periods and then got pregnant way sooner than I thought (and we were not actively trying). After buying a bunch of tampons from Costco no less! My flow was fine - much lighter than it was in my 20's. I am fit and eat very healthy, though, so I think that helped everything. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I am 30, been on the pill since I was 20, and have been off for 2 cycles now. My cycles are pretty regular, 32 days and not overly heavy. I'm surprised nobody else mentioned this but my face has been breaking out like crazy since I've come off the pill. I didn't have acne as a teen so was very suprised by this. I think it's a combination of changing hormones and work related stress. Also - curiously, before my 2 periods I didn't experience any of my typical premenstual symptoms like breast tenderness or bloating. Like a previous poster I am charting my fertility and have not noticed any egg white cervical fluid yet.

[Anonymous]

I was on the pill for 9 years and went off in March. I have still not gotten my period (it's been 6 months now). I was regular before going on the pill, so it's not clear why I'm still not ovulating. My OBGYN told me several times over the past few years that there would be no problem getting my period back after going off the pill, but I was skeptical so I took my self off it a few months earlier than my 'start trying to get pregnant' date. I am so glad I did because now I know that it's not going to be as easy as just stopping the pill and getting pregnant within a month.

I have started meeting with fertility specialists. One of the doctors as Shady Grove told me that, in fact, many women do take some time to bounce back after being on the pill. It can take 6-12 months before your period comes back. It makes sense. The pill has been supressing your hypothalmus for a long time, and it might take it a while to wake back up again.

[Anonymous]

You should expect your menstrual cycle to be like it was before getting on the pill. If you were regular, it will still be regular. And if your cycle was irregular, it will still be like that. The only other anecdote I can add is that my breasts became extremely sore for a little while about two weeks after I went off the pill--which I understand happens to some women.

[Anonymous]

I am one of the PP that had just recently stopped taking the pill after 10 years. I got pregnant on my second cycle on am now 6 weeks along.

[Anonymous]

I am 30 and had been on the pill since college as well. I think I was off the pill for four months before we started trying, and had relatively regular cycles (26-29 days) almost immediately. I got pregnant on my first cycle (sorry for lurking on TTC) and am now 12 weeks along.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

PP here - forgot to mention that I did have a couple of heavy and crampy cycles at first when I came off the pill. Stock up on Midol and break out the hot water bottle!