Can 7 Years of Birth Control Mess up Your Period?

That sounds like what happened to me when we were trying for #3. The biggest difference is that I wasn't on BC before, and they're only 3 1/2 years between. I can't remember all the details, but it was about a year ago that this all happened. The first month, my period was 2 weeks early. I figured it was implantation bleeding, which is what happened with baby #2. But it was too heavy. Two weeks later it came again! It was crazy and horrible. The next time, I was very excited when the day to test arrived and still no period. But the test was negative. I wondered if I just needed to wait and test a little later, so I decided I'd wait a week and test. Well, I didn't take the test because that morning my period started. I felt so jerked around emotionally! First was a month of nearly constant bleeding, then nothing for 5 weeks?
I'm not one to have irregular periods, either. They just coincided with trying for a baby. Ugh.
I did get pregnant. Later than I wanted, which sometimes I would like to complain about (because he was born on Nov 30 and my mom couldn't stay long to help, and MIL couldn't come at all). But when it comes down to it, he's here and that's all that matters.
Good luck!

Hi,

Just had to chime in! I wish I had never gone on BCP. I have argued with doctors for years that everything was normal before BCP, and then afterwards, was whacko, had severe infertility, and it never went back to normal. I went into perimenopausal symptoms in my late 20s and menopause DXed when I was 36.

I tried acupuncture. It evened it all out. Plus, tension and stress do affect your cycle, according to Chinese. I am all for Chinese medicine now, coupled with Western. I believe in taking the knowledge from all cultures rather than just assuming that our doctors know everything, like I used to think. I used to think that anyone into alternative medicine was a nutcase, but finally I was so desperate, after years of having crappy cycles that were never regular, with spotting and no pregnancies except through IVF. . .

My advice, try acupuncture, try Qi Gong or Yoga, try something to relax your body. Look at your diet and see if you are eating enough nourishing foods to make a baby and make sure you are not anemic. How do you handle stress? Do you internalize it? Do you push yourself too hard physically or emotionally? All of these affect fertility, I believe now. I used to never believe any of it, but I have proof from my bloodwork before and after acupuncture that my body is no longer menopausal.

Good luck!
Marci

I am no doctor but I doubt teh birth control is messing up your cycle. I was on the pill for 15 yars before I tried for my frist child and got pregnant on the second month. About three moths ago we decided to try for another one and got pregnant on the first try. Sometimes it can take a few months for your cycle to regulate itself after going off the pill. I know it took me a good year going back on the pill for it to regulate itself meaning my period would start on either a Wednesday ot thursday where eventually it went to the 28 day cycle and always started on Thursday. HAVe you tried ovualtion sticks to figure out when you are actually ovualating. Count 14 days from the day you start your period and have sex on day 11 thru 18 or at least every second day in this window. Your husband will love you for it.

Yes, it is very common to have wacky cycles after getting off of the pill. Give it 3 more months and then go to the doctor. After the age of 35, 6 months of trying without conception is considered infertility. I sufferred from it for 6 years and had to do IVF before I was blessed with my triplet girls! Good luck and I hope it works soon for you!

You may need to be patient while your body adjusts. (I know, easier said than done...) For some women, it takes quite awhile to have normal circle return after quitting the pill. Also, you are 35, so your cycle may be undergoing age-related changes anyway, now that it is unregulated by the pill. Starting at around that age, my periods grew closer together, and my doctor said this is normal for many women. Have you talked with your gynecologist about what to expect trying to get pregnant at 35 after having been on the pill for so long? She/he may have some useful insights.

Any hormonal birth control has the potential to cause issues with your cycles. When on the hormonal bc for less than a year it can take up to 6 months for things to clear from your system. when you've been on it for a substantial amount of time, it is not unusal for it to take longer. (though there are still some drs who will argue that) You need to find out if you are just "cycling" or if you are actually ovulating. I would suggest reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility for a basic breakdown of the easiest way to start tracking your cycle. There is a bunch of information on line about BBT charting and sympto-thermal charting, but TCYF is very straightforward and easy to understand, along with giving dozens of charts and examples to help you figure things out. Once you know if and when you are ovulating, you'll be able to figure out how long your luteal phase is (the time after ovulation to menstration), so you will be able to tell if you are actually "late" or if you have just ovulated later in your cycle than you expect.
On average it takes 8 months for fertile couples to conceive, but since you are over 30, you might want to chat with your dr once you've been actively trying for 6 months if you haven't succeeded by then.
Of course there is the chance that you actually are pregnant now and it just hasn't shown up on a test yet!
Good Luck!