A bit of hope for anyone with long cycles after pill...

[PhoebeLaura]

I've not posted very often here but i've been a long-time lurker and just wanted to share my story in the hope that it may be of help to anyone coming off the pill to ttc.
I came off microgynon 30 at the end of May 07 after being on it for 10 years, with the deluded belief that i would get pregnant straight away. When my period was late accompanied by cramps, dizziness, nausea etc, i thought i'd hit the jackpot and wasted a fortune on tests which were all BFN. My period took 112 days (yep 112 !) to come, my second cycle was 56 days.
By this point i was really freaking out, thinking my cycles would never get back to normal so i persuaded my doctor to refer me to a consultant - I was very insistent and told him i was concerned about the constant cramps. The ultrasound and blood tests all came back fine. Luckily I don't have PCOS; my problems really were simply a case of my body waking up after being on the pill for such a long time.
My third cycle was 38 days. Yet again I convinced myself that i was pregnant but because i had been taking note of any cramps, breast pain, EWCM etc I worked out that I actually ovulate on CD21 and that i had stopped BDing too early and missed the egg.
This cycle DH and I made sure we BD'd around CD21 (in fact we did it almost every night ). On Thursday i got my BFP!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope this long post doesn't come across as self indulgent or smug. I just know how desperate i was to hear of other people in the same situation and would like to think that my story might give a bit of hope.

[Cosmogirl]

CONGRATULATIONS! That is great news. I have been on the pill for 8 years. I am coming off in about 10 days although DH and I don't plan to try until the end of the year.
I am coming off for the reasons you state - you just don't know how long it will take for your normal cycle to return. I want to get into a regular pattern before ttc so I am not panicking each month and spending lots of money on tests. Anyway, that is the plan - we'll see how it goes. Good luck with your pregnancy.

[blondieminx]

HUGE congrats, that is lovely news!

Your post was really helpful...Today is my first time on MN, I came on it because I am now on day 43 with no sign of my period and I'm starting to freak out! I came off the pill at New Year after 12 years on it. Have done 2 pg tests both negative so I was starting to wonder what was normal! I will just hang in there and wait for af I guess...!

Thanks again and good luck with your pregnancy!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Congratulations on getting the BFP!

However, I would like to sound a note of caution here having experienced very long menstrual cycles myself (in which ovulation did not occur).

These are often caused by hormonal imbalances. In this regard thyroid imbalance and or polcysytic ovaries should be checked for via a blood test. This will give an accurate picture regarding hormone levels.

[pinkgirl30]

hi everyone i am new here!!
happy valentines to everyone
i came off the pill on jan the 23rd and we started trying staright away on jan 31st. hoping it wont take long.
i already have a daughter.

[fruitloop79]

Hi, I came off the pill at the beginning of Aug 07. months went by, I assumed the pill was taking it's time to come out of my system as my cycles were incredibly long. I also thought it was my underactive thyroid playing up. Turns out I have PCOS.
Don't hang about if your periods dont show up, go and get you blood tested

[PhoebeLaura]

Glad it helped blondiemix.

I would also second what Attila and fruitloop say - PCOS is very common and can cause very long annovulatory cycles so definitely a good idea to get blood tests and scan done sooner rather than later to rule it out.

Be warned though, I had to go to 2 doctors four times before they would refer me or even take me seriously (the first lady doctor sniggered and said 'not everyone gets pregnant straight away you know' which was hardly the point...). Also I suspect they only agreed because I was covered under private health insurance. Be persistent though - it's worth it even if just for the peace of mind. Good luck!

[Disenchanted]

My first cycle after coming off the pill was around 90 days.

I concieved the cycle after