No period for 9 months after coming off the pill

[Butterfly89]

Hi,

I'm new here but I hope someone can offer some advice. I cam off the pill in March 2018 after deciding with my partner to try for a baby. I haven't had a period since and am clearly not ovulating. My periods were regular before I went on the pill again (after a break from it) four years ago.

I went to the doctors in August and had blood tests and my hormonal levels were fine, thyroid fine, no PCOS. I had an internal examination and the doctor said everything looked normal and there were eggs on my ovaries but it didn't look like I would have a period anytime soon and I still haven't! They couldn't offer much more advice but to "wait". Has anyone else ever had this problem or know what could be causing it?

I am 29.

Thanks x

 

[IVW]

Would you class yourself as underweight?x

 

[Butterfly89]

Would you class yourself as underweight?x

I am slim but I wouldn't say underweight and the doctor did weigh me too. I am around 55 kg and 5 ft 7. Do you think it's worth maybe trying to gain some weight just in case? I go to the gym quite a lot but also eat well so I never saw that as an issue xx

 

[chattychar1990]

I think you should go back to your GP and ask for more tests. Its not normal to go that long without a period.
Wishing you luck hun x

 

[Butterfly89]

I think you should go back to your GP and ask for more tests. Its not normal to go that long without a period.
Wishing you luck hun x

Thank you, I just called and asked for a call back. The doctor has referred me for further tests because even though the previous ones were fine she said as we are trying it's best to look into it. Fingers crossed x

 

[IVW]

I am slim but I wouldn't say underweight and the doctor did weigh me too. I am around 55 kg and 5 ft 7. Do you think it's worth maybe trying to gain some weight just in case? I go to the gym quite a lot but also eat well so I never saw that as an issue xx

Hmmmmm i am 5'7 and when i went on a stupid diet, i dropped down to 8 stone and i lost my periods for 2 years - not healthy!

The oh nagged me to go to the doctors to help assist me with getting my periods back, but i knew what i needed to do anyway

I was put on a pill to help bring them back, and bam, they hit with a vengeance, but that was an accumulation of me lessening the exercise and eating more food. It was a normal contraception pill, cant remember the name of it now. I stopped the pill amongst thinking about how i was treating my body and my periods remained and on my second cycle of properly trying i fell pregnant

It certainly isnt normal to lose your periods for that long with no medical reason, hence why i asked about your weight. As Char has said, i would go back to your GP and get another opinion. I know its a bit backwards, but even if you suggest going on the pill that helps regulate, as i think thats the one she put me on and it might trigger them to come back.

Good luck x

 

[MoominGirl]

It's definitely not normal to go that long without periods. I had a similar problem when I came off the pill. In my case, it was a hormonal issue so you definitely should have more tests especially if they were normal before.

 

[LucyR]

I had a very similar thing happen when I came off the pill but wasn’t for as long its lasted 5 months my gp said it was post pill amenorrhea I started drinking raspberry leaf tea and it 2 weeks later had a period and the following month found out I was pregnant which sadly ended in miscarriage

 

[Kitana]

I had the same thing happen to me like IVW when I was younger. I was overweight and started dieting, but after a while I ate very little and my body started to change. Along with other health issues, i didn't have my period for a few months. But they came back when I started eating normally again.
My period also dissapeared for a while when I was overworked and jetlagged. I was working like crazy and couldn't go on anymore but I didn't want to lose my job. My body started to shut down and missed 2 months of my period. I was ordered by the doctor to take it easier and had to stay at home and recuperate for 4 weeks!
Have you had a lot of stress lately?
Or have you been tired?x

 

[pupperino]

Hi Butterfly - have a look at hypothalamic amenorrhea to see if it relates to you (e.g. https://www.avawomen.com/avaworld/im-really-healthy-except-i-dont-get-my-period-2/)

Interestingly, there is evidence that some women take up to 9 months to get a period off the pill -
"It’s not uncommon for cycles to be on the long side for up to nine months after stopping the pill."
(https://www.avawomen.com/avaworld/post-pill-amenorrhea-causes/ ....
and the research quoted here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/gye.16.4.307.317)

That really surprised me! Doesn't make it less frustrating though!

I have heard of people given medication to "kick start" their period, so I am not sure if that is an option. There is also the progestin challenge - Progesterone Withdrawal Test for Secondary Amenorrhea: No Periods

Good luck, I hope your cycle regulates sooner rather than later x