Going off BCP.

[Deleted]

Did anyone stop BCP before the were ready to TTC? I told my new doctor that we want to start TTC around November or December, but I'm worried because my periods have never been regular (doctors think I have endo, but it hasn't been confirmed) and I don't know what will happen when I go off them. She recommended that I consider going off my BCP sooner than we've been planning so I can see if I'll regulate, but I can't use barrier BC so I'm worried that this would be a terrible idea. I feel like with my history it's going to take me a while to get pregnant (and my doctor agrees, which is why she suggested it), but I don't want to jump the gun and end up pregnant before we're ready.

I feel like I'm over-thinking this.....

[belovedbride07]

I went off several years before TTC. The pill killed my libido, and I was a little concerned about blood clots given my family history.

We used the Fertility Awareness Method (charting and condoms during my fertile window); an alternative would be to abstain during your FW.

Turns out, DH has low counts and I'm not sure what's up with me, so I can't exactly attest to it's effectiveness without that disclaimer. :-P

May I ask why you can't use any barrier methods?

[Deleted]

Mar 16, 2013 13:07:35 GMT -5 belovedbride07 said:

I went off several years before TTC. The pill killed my libido, and I was a little concerned about blood clots given my family history.

We used the Fertility Awareness Method (charting and condoms during my fertile window); an alternative would be to abstain during your FW.

Turns out, DH has low counts and I'm not sure what's up with me, so I can't exactly attest to it's effectiveness without that disclaimer. :-P

May I ask why you can't use any barrier methods?

I have had a fairly severe skin reaction to every barrier method we've tried. They think I have psoriasis, and the extra friction caused by a barrier causes a flair up. We're in the process of treating it, but I'm not at a point where my doctors want me trying any more barrier method options. I've looked a little bit into the idea of NFP, but do you happen to know if that works as an option when you are just coming off BCP and/or aren't regular?

[belovedbride07]

Mar 16, 2013 13:38:15 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Mar 16, 2013 13:07:35 GMT -5 belovedbride07 said:

I went off several years before TTC. The pill killed my libido, and I was a little concerned about blood clots given my family history.

We used the Fertility Awareness Method (charting and condoms during my fertile window); an alternative would be to abstain during your FW.

Turns out, DH has low counts and I'm not sure what's up with me, so I can't exactly attest to it's effectiveness without that disclaimer. :-P

May I ask why you can't use any barrier methods?

I have had a fairly severe skin reaction to every barrier method we've tried. They think I have psoriasis, and the extra friction caused by a barrier causes a flair up. We're in the process of treating it, but I'm not at a point where my doctors want me trying any more barrier method options. I've looked a little bit into the idea of NFP, but do you happen to know if that works as an option when you are just coming off BCP and/or aren't regular?

It's been a few years, but IIRC it is recommended that you use a backup method for a couple of months while you learn your body's signs and get the hang of tracking them.

NFP/FAM is fine for irregular cycles because it stresses paying attention to your body's signs, not its past history (like the rhythm method).

So, no diaphragms either, right? I'm trying to remember what other non-barrier options there are. We used this contraceptive film that you put over your cervix a few times, but it always made me paranoid that I wasn't getting it right. I think contraceptive films and foams have pretty high failure rates (at least compared to the pill or barriers), though.

Ditto mekia, though...my doctor let me know that there was no reason to stop well ahead of TTC.

[Deleted]

Mar 16, 2013 15:18:06 GMT -5 belovedbride07 said:

Mar 16, 2013 13:38:15 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

I have had a fairly severe skin reaction to every barrier method we've tried. They think I have psoriasis, and the extra friction caused by a barrier causes a flair up. We're in the process of treating it, but I'm not at a point where my doctors want me trying any more barrier method options. I've looked a little bit into the idea of NFP, but do you happen to know if that works as an option when you are just coming off BCP and/or aren't regular?

It's been a few years, but IIRC it is recommended that you use a backup method for a couple of months while you learn your body's signs and get the hang of tracking them.

NFP/FAM is fine for irregular cycles because it stresses paying attention to your body's signs, not its past history (like the rhythm method).

So, no diaphragms either, right? I'm trying to remember what other non-barrier options there are. We used this contraceptive film that you put over your cervix a few times, but it always made me paranoid that I wasn't getting it right. I think contraceptive films and foams have pretty high failure rates (at least compared to the pill or barriers), though.

Ditto mekia, though...my doctor let me know that there was no reason to stop well ahead of TTC.

That's interesting. I wonder why my doctor recommended it. We didn't spend a long time talking about it, because it was mentioned more as a side note since I was at the appointment for other reasons. Thank you very much for your responses. I've never tried a diaphragm, so I'll have to look into that. It sounds like there might not be much of a point in going off them ahead of time, so I may as well keep doing what I'm doing until we're ready.

[pooh8402]

I stopped BC (won't say BCP since I used Nuvaring, which is definitely not a pill) 2 years before we started TTC, when my H and I got married. he had a vasectomy (from his first marriage, long story, won't get into it). he had a reversal done last August, so I tried the Nuvaring again starting last July. I only did it for 2 months since my insurance wouldn't cover it and it was ridonkulously expensive. we just used condoms from Sept-Dec when we started TTC. money was the only reason I stopped BC before we were officially ready.

and I have to agree with TR, that NFP/FAM may not help you the first couple of cycles off BCP as your sole method of BC. but I still couldn't recommend abstaining for 2 months, since I believe that sex is important in a marriage.

if it were me and I were in your shoes, I'd stay on the BC until you and your H decide you are ready for kids. there really is no "need" to be off BC early.

[Cricket0619]

My Dr. actually told me that you can be very fertile the first month you go off of bcp. So be careful if you do go off of it and aren't ready to ttc.

[linz]

I went off in April and that August we were planning to try. Most dr's say it takes 3 months to get out of your system. So I'd go off ahead of time. Then you know if your cycles will go back to normal or if you need help. I never got a period so needed provera to jump start me. 

My dr also told me to start taking prenatals before trying. So I basically went from taking a BC pill each day to taking a prenatal just so I was in the habit still. I would just make sure you use other protection. I have heard of couples getting off the pill and right away getting pg. So if you aren't ready, then just use other precautions.