Do I test this cycle?

[winecheery]

So, being that I'm not 100% certain whether I have or will O this first cycle off bcp, should I bother testing?

I mean, if AF is late but I have zero pg symptoms it's probably still just my body getting used to things, yes?

Is anyone out there in their first cycle, or remembers what their first cycle was like? I know everyone is different I just would love comparisons. TIA

Oh and Happy Friday Ladies :drink:

[jenn1298]

I would probably wait until CD40 or so to test, if you aren't having any other symptoms and don't know when/if you ovulated. My first few cycles off of BCP were really long. If you are having symptoms (or don't mind potentially wasting tests), it really won't hurt to test sooner.

[winecheery]

Hmmm ok...so bottom line is to check if AF fails to show up for like a week or two, even if I have no pg symptoms.

That makes sense, thanks.

jenn and autumn may I ask what cycles you're on, or roughly how long you've been ttc? I just kinda want an "average" ballpark of how long people's bodies were wonky around here after getting off the pill.

I tried an opk on day 14, just because that's the average day most women O, but it was negative. I tried it first thing in the AM, not sure if that makes a diff. I'm not surprised tho, as I had zero symptoms of O. However later that day, I did have a bit of EWCM (sorry tmi) and then more a few days later, so then I wondered if I just O'd later??

And my boobs aren't sore per se, but they feel heavy and full, and my lower back is warm/has dull pain.

I think it's just my body getting back to functioning...but right about now I feel all kinds of clueless.

[thoseareradishes]

Hope you don't mind if I join in. I'm in my third cycle since going off BC. My first cycle I O'ed on CD14, CD 11 on my second cycle, and CD 17 on this cycle. I looked back through my old calenders (pre-BC), when I would just circle the first day of my cycle, and they were 24-28 days long. So it looks like I'm following about the same schedule as before BC. I do hope they even out a little more-- CD11 caught me by surprise!

[statlerwaldorf]

I would just test weekly with a dollar tree test or internet cheapie until af comes. I didn't have pregnancy symptoms until almost 6 weeks. I don't ovulate on my own, so I'm no help there.

[Deleted]

I'm glad you asked this -- I'm on cycle #1 off BCP also, and haven't had any signs of ovulation.

I was thinking I'd give it at least 10 days after I expect AF to start.

My body is definitely getting back to functioning, which is a little weird, but overall I feel AWESOME now that I'm off BCP. I mean, I felt fine while I was on it (various brands for 10ish years), but now that I've stopped taking it I am getting fewer headaches, feel more energetic, etc. It could be all in my head, but I honestly do feel better.

[jessuhmarie]

I would test every few days with cheap tests. I would try out OPKs next cycle

[Deleted]

Sept 1, 2012 10:34:54 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Sept 1, 2012 0:37:33 GMT -5 @villainv said:

I mean, I felt fine while I was on it (various brands for 10ish years), but now that I've stopped taking it I am getting fewer headaches, feel more energetic, etc. It could be all in my head, but I honestly do feel better.

It's not in your head, the same happened to me

And actually, I had only stopped BCP to see if I would feel better, then when I realized I did and I told H that I didn't want to go back on them he asked what I thought about starting to TTC soon and here we are

A few weird things since being off BCP though -- my gums bleed a little bit (never did before, and I haven't changed anything about my brushing/flossing schedule), and my hair is shedding LIKE CRAZY. Did this happen to anyone else when they went off BCP?

[jenn1298]

Winecheery - We are on our 3rd cycle TTC this round, but I have been off BCP for over a year. Last year when I got pregnant I was on cycle 3 or 4 post BCP and my cycles never really regulated between going off BCP and BFP. The last cycle I ovulated around CD 20.

Villa - No gum bleeding or hair loss here.

[winecheery]

Wow thanks everyone!

All so helpful, truly, more than you know.

Villan, the gums thing- me too! wtf?! So bizarre.

And to the pp who mentioned feeling different being off the pill...I second that. I swear I'm less anxiety ridden (In general, not necessarily about ttc lol), and I feel less irritable too.

I guess we'll just carry on doing the BD until AF shows, (orrrr not!) and I'll make it up as I go.

Thanks again!