Can birth control change your cycle even after you stop taking it?

[catlady0214]

Hello, I am a 24 year-old married female. My husband and I are not currently trying to conceive. My question is in regards to the long-term effects of oral contraceptives on the menstrual cycle.

Does anyone know if taking oral contraceptives (The Pill) can permanently change your menstrual cycle, even after you stop taking them? I used to always have really regular (28ish day long) cycles, but my last few have been almost a week longer than normal. I stopped taking The Pill about 3 months ago, and I know sometimes it takes a while to have a period again. I have gone on and off The Pill several times in the past few years, but every other time my cycles went back to the way they were pre-birth control within 2 months.

Like I said earlier, we are not trying to conceive, but because my period has been delayed the past few months I keep worrying I am pregnant!

[catlady0214]

I have considered an IUD, but I heard that doctors usually discourage them for women who have never given birth.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

It took me 6 months to get a normal cycle back after going off oral BCP.  Even tho I have been on them several times before and never had that problem when stopping them.  

As for the mini pill I have it to be just as affective as the BCP with estrogen. But I'm sure it may not be that way for everyone.  Have you considered an IUD likeMirena?

[sammyjo269]

stay off the pill becouse u been on the pill for long time your body got use to it now your body try get use u not take them and dont worry more u worry it will not happen have nice week away take the stress away for get about the pill i had mate same has you she had wait for year for her body now she got 3 kids she happen

good luck x

[catlady0214]

Thanks for your response! Yes, I have taken 3 different oral contraceptives in the past 3 years. I probably will see my doctor if things don't get back to normal soon, but I am just hoping they will work out on their own like you said they did for you.

You mentioned the mini pill, so I figured I just take the chance to ask you how you liked it. The reason for me going off BC most recently is I have a family history of blood clots. It was suggested to me that the mini pill is a lot safer in terms of the risk for developing clots, but I have never known anyone who has taken it.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I don't have a lot of knowledge on this but I know that it can take a while to get your cycles back on track.  I took the mini pill after 3 of my babies.  That is the pill given when you are breastfeeding.  Anyway, it affected me different each time I took it.  I don't know why either.  After I stopped taking it the last time.  It took me a really long time to get regulated again.  I'd say like 4 or 5 months.  My cycles were REALLY long those months.  But each month it would get a little bit shorter (by 2 or 3 days) until finally I was back at a 28 to 30 day cycle.  So I would say just give it some time.  

Oh, and have you taken different oral contraceptives each time?  If so, that might also be a factor.  If things don't get back to normal within the next couple of months, you may want to just make an appointment with your doctor.