When on birth control, my periods became very light. It was almost uncomfortable to wear a tampon, and they were about 1-2 days max with pretty light flow. I've been off bc for about 4-5 months now, and my periods are still very light and pretty short.
Does anyone have experience or know about how light/short periods affect TTC? I'm wondering if it's something I should talk to my doctor now about instead of waiting the standard 6 months of not conceiving.
cherry / 103 posts
I am the same way - this is my first cycle off BCP, though, so I don't know yet what my period will be like off. But my doctor knew about how light they were while on the pill, and when I talked to her about being ready to start TTC, she did not say anything about that being a cause for concern.... I am hoping it doesn't have an effect! Good luck to you!
pomelo / 5228 posts
I don't have any experience with this myself, but I have read that very light periods could be a sign of not ovulating. Have you tried charting and/or usink OPKs at all? Definitely talk to your doctor sooner.
honeydew / 7916 posts
I'd suggest trying to talk to your doctor about this. It sounds like something is off, and your body hasn't returned to having normal cycles yet...1-2 days of light flow doesn't sound like there would be enough lining, and as @mrs.someone pointed out perhaps that means you're not ovulating.
pomelo / 5000 posts
I love the quick responses--thanks! I charted for the first time last month. My chart showed an ovulation pattern, I had a positive OPK, and I did experience ovulation pain. Is it possible to have all these things and still not ovulate?
grapefruit / 4669 posts
@Happygal: If your chart says you ovulated, you probably did...maybe chart a couple more months just to be sure before you get concerned about it!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
Sounds like you ovulated then. I would also keep charting for another couple of months before getting concerned (easier said than done). My periods were very light on the pill-- not quite as light as you are describing, but way lighter than before. Since coming off they are still lighter than before going on the pill but not super super light.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
@Happygal: You could still have ovulation but with the light periods you might not be building enough lining for implantation to occur. Your uterine lining needs to be a certain thickness for the fertilized egg to implant. I would give your Dr. a call just to let him/her know what is going on with your cycles. It never hurts to have a note made in your chart!
pomelo / 5000 posts
Thanks again for the responses, everyone. What a great group! I
@SweetKate, that is more of my concern, that there might not be a proper thickness. There seem to be a lot of different ideas about how to handle this--I would consider taking a supplement that was safe, but there seem to be very mixed reviews and data out there.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
@Happygal: My RE gave me a prescription for estrogen during my last round of Clomid since the previous ones had thinned my lining. It helped with my lining issue. Hopefully its nothing to worry about and you get your BFP soon!
pomelo / 5041 posts
@happygal: My doctor told me before we TTC that I would know when I could get pregnant when I had regular cycles and heavy periods, so it could definitely be important. Also you could take FertileCM. It's a supplement that not only gives you more CM but it helps thicken your uterine lining.
pomelo / 5000 posts
@Marionberry--interesting. I had told my doctor my periods had gotten really light, and that was the reason I switched birth control types awhile back. I don't know if she remembered that when I told her we were gearing up to TTC. I've heard of FertileCM before--are you currently using it yourself?
pomelo / 5041 posts
@Happygal: Yes I am. I'm not good about taking it regularly but it does seem to help!
pomegranate / 3895 posts
@Happygal: I had always had 5-7 days period (both off an on the pill) with a medium to heavy flow. Once I came off the pill they were 2-3 days long and very light. I too was worried that this would prove to be a problem for TTC and that it might be a sign of a progesterone deficiency. I charted for three of four months before we officially started TTC and saw that I was definitely ovulating. And then I got pregnant on our second try 
All that to say that it could be something or it could be entirely nothing. Certainly wouldn't hurt to mention it to your doctor. Mine was completely unconcerned about it.
pomegranate / 3872 posts
Mine have always been pretty light - maybe three days, many months where there was no need for a tampon and I ovulated every month. I never even mentioned it to my doctor.
grapefruit / 4187 posts
I'm not a doctor and haven't heard this from one, but a light period might mean your lining is very thin? If that's the case it could potentially work against you with TTC.
pomelo / 5000 posts
@Marionberry: The reviews for FertileCM are mainly positive, but there are some where people say their cycle was messed up b/c of it. I try to take all reviews with a grain of salt, but it does make me a little nervous! Good to know it's working for you.
@HerGreenApples: I loved reading this. I'm glad it all worked out for you!
@JerricaBenton: True story--my sister and I had a Jem Fan Club back in the day, so I obviously love your avatar. I see that you're currently pregnant, so again, this was good to read.
@ModernDaisy: That's my main concern. Going to do a little more researching on this and will share what I learn!
pomegranate / 3872 posts
@Happygal: Haha - so much love for Jem! Yes - sorry I forgot to mention I am pregnant It took a while for us but it was related to my thyroid.
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