Ovulation question

[sterl724]

I stopped taking bcp in March. I'd been on them for 9 years. Over the years on the pill, my period got pretty light. The last year or so I was on the pill, they were usually about 3 days, light to moderate flow.

After stopping the pill, it took me about six weeks to get my period. I had my annual with my gynecologist about a week after it was due. A week or two later, I still hasn't got it, so she prescribed me provera. I got my period the last week of April.

Since then, my periods have been more or less "on time". (Not quite as predictable as on the pill, but usually with in a 2-3 day window of when I expect it. I'm sure a lot of it is my body regulating again.) However, they've all continued to be really light. Last period, about 2 weeks ago, I had brown spotting for 2-3 days a day or two before I expected period, then had aunt flow for maybe a day and a half. Tested, it was negative.

Here's my question - Is it possible I'm not ovulating, and that is causing the light period? Am I just lucky I get short periods? It's been a long time, but pre-pill I had normal 4-5 day periods.

I know it'll get asked - I don't temp. I've considered buying opks but haven't as of yet.

[Mushe]

There's really no way to know without temping or getting blood work. I had no idea what my "normal" really looked like, because I'd been on birth control for most of 15 years before I went off to TTC #1. I didn't have a period most of the time I was on bcp. Anyway, just an anecdote, but my periods were pretty light off bcp, but temping confirmed ovulation.

I'd try it or for a month if you're concerned!

[july]

It could be your new normal, your body adjusting, or estrogen breakthrough bleeding from anovulatory cycles.

Opks are not going to tell you if you are ovulating. Opks only measure luteinizing hormone, which rises to trigger ovulation. However, you may not ovulate after an LH surge. Opks are still useful for predicting when you ovulate.

Temping will tell you if you are ovulating because ovulation causes the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, resulting in a temperature rise.

You can get cheap opks on amazon. I use Wondfos and order through easy at home.

I learned a lot about when I ovulated by using opks and temping, so I highly recommend.

[Deleted]

I haven't been on birth control for almost ten years. My periods only last about 3 days and are pretty light. It could be your new normal or your body might still be adjusting. Good luck!

[knx9211]

Just anecdotes - I was on the pill for over a decade. Even on the pill, I had heavy, 5-day periods with horrible cramps. After going off, I've had exactly what you do - two days of brown spotting followed by a day and a half of light bleeding. Last month (Cycle 11?) was the first month that I bled for more than 2 days. Not sure if I'm adjusting or what, but both temperatures and OPKs seem to indicate that I'm ovulating, so I have no explanation for the drastic change in my period.

Best of luck.

[annabear07]

Also you could still be adjusting. It took me about 4 months to ovulate the last time I came off bc. I highly recommend temping for at least a cycle so you know if you are ovulating. That will answer so many of your questions!