post-pill amenorrhea

I took Trinessa BC pill for only about 9 months, but I decided to quit because I was having some unwanted side effects. I timed it so that I quit on the day right before the week of my expected period. As a result, I had a "normal" period right on time. However, I did not have any sign of a period until after 3 months. That "period" was hardly a period at all-- very light, only a couple of days. Since then, I have not had a period for 3 MORE months.

Because it has been roughly 6 months since I've had a regular period, I started getting really worried about infertility and osteoporosis, which I've read is linked to long-term amenorrhea. So, I went to the doctor and got a pap test, blood work, even an ultrasound. Everything is normal, including my hormone levels. I'm not pregnant. Their only advice? Start the pill again to "kick-start" ovulation. What the hell. How many times do I have to explain that it is BECAUSE of the pill that I'm not having a period? Starting the pill again is like a bandaid; it temporarily makes everything seem "okay" because I'll have a period, but as soon as I stop taking it, this will happen all over again.

I just wanted to share my story because I want you all to know there is another person out there, sharing in this frustration with you. I want to be able to have children in the future, and right now I just want a f*****g period!!

If anyone has any advice or figured out why they got their period back, please share with us!

I was on BCP for eight years to treat my PCOS. My last vaginal ultrasound came back with no ovarian cysts seen so my doc said it was okay to go off the pills and try to get pregnant. After six months with no real period to speak of, my doc said it was post pill amenorrhea and started me on progesterone which did cause adequate bleeding. What worries me, though, is that I found this quote online.

"Although, progesterone is often prescribed in postpill amenorrhea, it is not effective in stimulating the development of follicles in the ovaries. Without follicular growth, ovulation does not occur and without ovulation, it is difficult to get regular periods, although anovular periods can occur from time to time. " -Gynae Online

First let me just say this was a great feed for me to find and it's sad all the same. I have been on birth control around ten years. I started when I was 16 because I had such horrible cramping and irregular cycles. Little did I know just how irregular felt when you now want to be regular in the worst way. As it's only been 4 weeks and two days (who's counting?!) since my last (birth control induced) period. It seems that time has made me forget what a normal period was like. I've been having weird symptoms such as breast tenderness, ovary pain (I thought it was) and just this morning as I laid down for bed (I work night shift), I had horrible cramps... So me being the research based nurse I am having been google'ing away and I come up with the same symptoms for ensuing periods as early pregnancy. I think, no way this would happen to me not in the first month of not using birth control... Thus far the home pregnancy test says you are correct, not pregnant. Every little twinge of pain I'm trying to analyze. This is so disheartening, being so on edge over this period not showing up. Even if it were possible to conceive right now, it would be difficult as I'm so on edge it's taking it's toll with my love. I can't get over that there are other people out there as stressed as I am. I'm going to have to research this pill-induced amenorrhea... Please keep me posted as to how everyone is making out with this awful problem!

It is so good to read these replies and realise I'm not alone. I started taking the pill when I was 17 and now I'm 26. I got married in November, 2010 and after the wedding, I ceased the pill in the hopes of getting pregnant. It has now been nearly 5 months without a period and the doctor said that all of my hormones seem fine from my blood tests so don't stress (EASY FOR HIM TO SAY!!!). He said I have pill ammenorhea.

I feel so alone because if I tell people what is going on with me, they'll be constantly asking about my period :-( Right now, my parents want more grandkids and ask me all the time when we're going to start a family annd my husband's parents are eagerly awaiting the news that they're going to be grandparents. It's so hard to be alone in this and not be able to talk to people about it. My husband is extremely understanding but can't fully understand why I'm so stressed after the doctor told me not to worry.

My husband is always upbeat about it and says he doesn't mind at all but I can't help but feel that I'm letting us both down on the fertility front. I so hope my period or a pregnancy comes soon. I hate living through this never ending waiting game.

I have read quite a few posts on other forums that say Rasberry leaf tea is meant to help with fertility so i'm gonna give it a shot. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

Wow I can't believe how many people have or are going through the same thing I am. I stopped the pill in Nov and still have not gotten a period. Like many of you I have bought many pregnancy test, which were all negitive. I would like to hear from some of you to know how things have turned out. Wish you all the best of luck!

Sounds like we're pretty much on the same time line guest so I'll keep you informed (watch this space). I've been drinking the rasberry tea for about a week now and again I'm having symptons that would suggest an imminent period but as yet nothing. Maybe I'm just wishful thinking as I've had these symptons on and off for the past 4 months.

Are you trying to have a baby too? I would suggest getting a blood test just to check for pcos. I did and atleast that brought me some relief that it was negative. The doctor said to wait until it's been 6 months without a period and then they'll do ultrasounds etc and find out whats going on in there. Anyway please keep me informed as to your progress with everything. Its good to hear from people who are actually going through the same thing as I feel as if my husband can only offer so much support as he is not going through it himself.

I am too waiting for my period. Stopped the pill 4 months ago. When will it come?!

I am on my 5th month without a period and no success with the rasberry tea yet. A few more weeks and hopefully I can get an ultrasound.

I don't know if anybody is still reading this post but it's good for me to vent on here. I went to the doctor's again (Its now been 6 months since my last pill induced period). First he insisted on a blood pregnancy test which of course came back negatgive and now he's repeated the hormone blood test that I had a couple of months ago just to see if there were any changes.

I get my results on Sunday and then I can be booked in for an ultrasound to see whats going on in there. Hopefully I can be the person to offer some hope to others and find the cause and treatment for this condition.

hi everyone, 

I got my blood results today. The doc didn't say they were any different from last time but thought it is probably pcos. I'm having an ultrasound this week so we'll see I guess. He thinks I'll probably have to go back on the pill to get a regular cycle started again. That certainly won't help me get pregnant :-( No period of any kind for nearly 7 months :'(

I had my ultrasound today and they had to do an internal scan so that they could get a good look and thats about 5 times worse than a papsmear :-(

The radiologist said there are enough cysts on my ovaries to diagnose PCOS however the cysts are smaller than typical pcos cysts as they were measured as "8" when usually pcos cysts are "12" All I know is that I didn't walk out feeling very happy about the result. I'm going back to the doctors tomorrow after the doctor has had a chance to review the images and make a diagnosis.

I've heard such desperate stories from women with PCOS that are struggling to conceive and I'm shattered to think that I might not be able to have children. I'm in a loving relationship with my husband, I work as an early childhood teacher and we own our own home. There couldn't be a better home for a child :-(

If any women with PCOS read this and can provide some reassurance than please do. The doc wants to put me back on the pill in order to regulate my cycle which to me just sounds like covering the problem with a band aid and limits my ability to get pregnant. Isn't there a better option???

What blood test did your Dr do??

He tested all of my hormones as well as my insulin levels. He said I had high insulin levels which may suggest an insulin resistence and that can be common with people with PCOS however I also have a family history of diabetes so he said I should be on guard anyway. I don't have many of the common characteristics of pcos such as excess hair growth and deep voice so I guess I'm lucky if I do have it and don't have those nasty symptons.

What tests are they doing for you? I want to know that they are doing everything that they should do to help me. The Doctor is aware that I'm trying to conceive however he said that has to go on the back burner until we've fixed the problem. I'm still not convinced that the pill is the solution. Anyway keep me posted as to your progress. I'm just hoping for good news tomorrow.