Spotting

Hi,

I'm new on here so hoping it's okay to post a question so soon after introducing myself? I haven't been on may forums so really not sure of the etiquette. Apologies if this isn't right :)

I've been on Levlen for about 6 years without too much trouble when in September this year I got spotting between my period that lasted until the next one. I had the smear test as well as other tests for infection and they all came back clear. The doctor knew about the spotting so let's just say, did a very thorough check. I should probably say I get VERY stressed out about going to the doctors and we had just bought a new house, work was stressful etc, so the spotting appeared just after I worked up the guts to book the smear appointment.

I had a very grumpy doctor who wouldn't listen to anything I said and said I had to go for an ultrasound. I swore it was hormone / stress related so went off the pill instead. The spotting stopped which was great and in that time we decided to try for a baby which we both really want.

Felt completely normal and great for the first month, but the second time (last week) my period didn't turn up properly - was spotty, appeared and disappeared etc. It wasn't as full on as it usually is but now it's been over a week and I still have some brown spotting (sorry, TMI).

I'm freaking out this is connected to the spotting last time and deciding whether to go to a different doctor, but not sure if this is happening because I'm stressed at work again and also because my hormones are changing coming off the pill.

Any suggestions /feedback would be so very much appreciated as I don't know what to do. I've wanted to have kids for a long time and now we've agreed it's the right time, things don't seem to be going right!

Thanks :)

It can take a good while for your body to get back to 'normal' after being on the pill so long. Your cycles are still adjusting, and, as you say, stress can mess with your hormones. I'd give your body time to adjust and use this time to get your body ready to conceive (start taking folate, make sure you're as healthy as you can be etc). If things haven't settled in a few months, maybe see your doctor again.

Ask as many questions as you like - that's why you're here :)

Thanks for the response! I let myself get SO stressed about this sort of thing - which is a problem because then it adds to the stress issue! Can't win :shakehead:
It's interesting because before I had the spotting problem I swore to my husband that the pill wasn't working 'right'. I couldn't be more specific than that, but then the spotting happened and I think that confirmed it for me.

I should probably clarify, this month isn't so much spotting mid cycle, it's more that I had a short period then it reappeared a day later as spotting as hasn't gone away! Very frustrating.

I have to say, I'm pretty certain I will not go back on the pill again. I've got the symptoms I had (pimples etc) when I first hit puberty! :o

Thanks again! I will give it a chance and try not to stress about it.

I had two weird periods then a proper one in my third month after coming off birth control. I then fell pregnant 2 more months after that. I think it is very normal for your body to need to readjust. You can do a lot to improve it and improve the overall health damage being on the pill does. A natropath or TCM can help you with that.

Thanks! Yes, I do think the pill can do strange things to the body. Good to know it's not always a big problem though, thanks :)

Sorry, what's a TCM? Where I work it's a client database, I'm thinking that's not going to help much with this! :)

Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine :)