Hi, I'm new here and wanted to ask a couple things.
I went off the pill in early April this year, and started charting at that time. My period has been weird coming back, like the first cycle was 47 days, with a tiny period after, next cycle seemed normal at 29 days, and now I'm still in third cycle at day 51. My temps only seemed to show a pattern/shift in cycle 2, and my cervical fluid has been a little confusing as well. I did have my annual at the beginning of this month, and my OB asked if my cycles were normal or irregular before I was on the pill. That was 8 years ago, and I think they were irregular, but I don't really remember what they were like! :? I was an athletic teen and figured they were initially irregular because of that, and since I wasn't having sex/thinking about pregnancy, I didn't really pay much attention to them before I got on the pill. Now I really wish I had.
He said if I was always irregular, they would likely still be that way, and it might help to take clomid to regulate my ovulation and make timing more predictable (vs. sex every other day, like, indefinitely). I was caught off guard when he suggested it, and didn't know what I wanted to do, so he wrote the rx and said I could think about it and discuss with H, and if I wanted to, the rx would be there. He warned me that usually he sees people back like, the next month when they use it, and only wrote for 3 months worth, he would want to see me back if it didn't happen in that time frame. Anyone have experience using clomid for irregular periods? My knee-jerk reaction was fear of multiples, so I would love to hear about experiences with that (the rx is for 50mg).
I don't think I have PCOS (I know clomid is usually used to treat that) since I don't have any other symptoms of it (I have always been thin and he did a pelvic ultrasound with my exam and said everything looked normal). But this really long cycle has me wondering what is going on, and it's very annoying to really have no idea when I'll get my next period. Did anyone else have extended weird cycles coming off the pill?
I haven't been on the pill in a long time, but from what I understand it can take several months for your cycles to become regular again. I would wait a few more cycles and continue to chart before jumping into meds.
Post by HoneySpider on Aug 21, 2015 7:24:16 GMT -5
Jumping to clomid just a few cycles off BCP seems, honestly, irresponsible of that doctor. As the other ladies mentioned, it's fairly common to have a few wonky cycles at first and having the first thought be "let's pump you full of drugs you may not need" is idiotic. I have a general problem with the fact that so many ob/gyns use clomid as a fall back option for just about anything instead of actually trying to figure out what's going on (and I speak from personal experience).
Thanks everyone, I was also surprised to hear the med suggestion. Of course now I'm all paranoid about it. Any thoughts about my current cycle having no end in sight? At what point should I call the doctor if I don't have a period?
It is 60 days with no period. Weird cycles after BC is really common. I had quite a few go long with one over 80 days.
I really really would not take clomid without being monitored. I actually wouldn't even see an OB with getting pregnant issues. Their specialty is more after you are pregnant with reproductive endocrinologist being the dr to help you get pregnant. I'm pretty sure the 6 in Jon and Kate plus 8 was a result of clomid (except she was monitored and told to cancel the cycle). There is also a limit on how many cycles usually because it can do things like thin your lining. Also, if you develop a cyst, clomid can grow it which causes problems.
Like you, I have never had weight issues and have long, irregular cycles. But I do have PCOS. I've also had issues with my prolactin levels (which an RE found).
Have you thought about charting? It would give you more information like if you were ovulating.
It is 60 days with no period. Weird cycles after BC is really common. I had quite a few go long with one over 80 days.
I really really would not take clomid without being monitored. I actually wouldn't even see an OB with getting pregnant issues. Their specialty is more after you are pregnant with reproductive endocrinologist being the dr to help you get pregnant. I'm pretty sure the 6 in Jon and Kate plus 8 was a result of clomid (except she was monitored and told to cancel the cycle). There is also a limit on how many cycles usually because it can do things like thin your lining. Also, if you develop a cyst, clomid can grow it which causes problems.
Like you, I have never had weight issues and have long, irregular cycles. But I do have PCOS. I've also had issues with my prolactin levels (which an RE found).
Have you thought about charting? It would give you more information like if you were ovulating.
Thanks for the info. I have been charting since I stopped the pill, the first cycle was long with temps all over the place, second cycle was 29 days with a temp shift I could actually see and a drop right before my period. This is still cycle 3, temps all over the place again. My CM has been kinda random as well. I thought I read that Kate had that many because she was doing injectable fertility meds, not just clomid? But yes, I am definitely wary of the possibility of even twins, and not sure I would want to take any medicine if it's not really necessary.
I'm thinking I just want to keep charting and trying on our own for a while before looking to see if anything is wrong. If I don't have my period soon, can I just see my OB about restarting it, and not do anything else? I hope it's all just my body readjusting to being off pills.
You run the risk of multiples with clomid and injectables. I'm almost positive Kate was not on injects that cycle. Monitoring is really important and that is really concerning a dr would write a rx for clomid without monitoring or even discussing things like cysts, your lining, multiples, the limit etc.
After 60 days and a negative pregnancy test, you can take provera which will re-start your cycle.
It can take up to a year for your body to adjust and for a healthy couple to get pregnant.
Thanks everyone! I'm feeling reassured about my weird cycles and justified in my wariness of the clomid. I have a trip coming up, so I think I'll actually be out of town when I hit the 60 day mark. I guess I'll just see what's going on when I come back and if I need to call my doctor about provera, and then just keep charting.
Holy shit, I can't believe the dr just wrote you an ex for clomid! That's super irresponsible of him!
I agree with pp's cycles can be really wonky coming off of the pill. I would call about the super long cycle you're on now, but give it at least 6 more months to regulate. Temping is a really good way to see what's happening.
Hi there. I just thought I'd respond because you sound very similar to me. I went off bcp early this year and started charting. I had long cycles too (35-50 day range), and I actually never had a chart where I could see a clear temp shift. I'm also active with low body weight, and I didn't know if that might be causing issues or not.
Anyway, 6 months in TTC I was feeling frustrated but also not really ready to try any sort of treatment yet. I'd been POAS every 4-5 days since about day 35, and I got a BFP this month around day 55. They did an early ultra sound for me because my cycles were so irregular, and my due date is indeed almost 3 weeks later than it would be just calculating from last period.
I just share this to say there is hope. It can totally take awhile for your body to regulate. Just because your cycles are long/irregular it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong or you can't get pregnant. Good luck to you, and let me know if you have other questions.
ETA: I agree it's too soon to jump into Clomid, especially without monitoring at all. I don't know nearly as much about it as many ladies here, but I know they are wise.
I agree with HoneySpider and the others that said going to clomid now seems really quick. Most doctors won't even discuss meds until after 12 months (unless over 35 then 6 months) of TTC.
My cycles were very irregular when I went off BCP.
I stopped bcp the first week of March this year, and had my annual mid-late April. I hadn't had my period since stopping the pill, and was already overdue. Doc checked in a week rt two later (would have been around the 60 day mark) and prescribed Provera. That jump started my cycles, and I've been pretty regular since!
I would call when you hit 60 days. You should be able to get a script pretty easily.
Hi there. I just thought I'd respond because you sound very similar to me. I went off bcp early this year and started charting. I had long cycles too (35-50 day range), and I actually never had a chart where I could see a clear temp shift. I'm also active with low body weight, and I didn't know if that might be causing issues or not.
Anyway, 6 months in TTC I was feeling frustrated but also not really ready to try any sort of treatment yet. I'd been POAS every 4-5 days since about day 35, and I got a BFP this month around day 55. They did an early ultra sound for me because my cycles were so irregular, and my due date is indeed almost 3 weeks later than it would be just calculating from last period.
I just share this to say there is hope. It can totally take awhile for your body to regulate. Just because your cycles are long/irregular it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong or you can't get pregnant. Good luck to you, and let me know if you have other questions.
ETA: I agree it's too soon to jump into Clomid, especially without monitoring at all. I don't know nearly as much about it as many ladies here, but I know they are wise.
This is exactly the kind of anecdote I was hoping to hear, haha!