Off The Pill In Late May, Dx In June, No Period

[carriecraig]

I went off the pill after being on it for 10 years, because I was having spotting for 2 years straight. I was diagnosed with Celiac in mid-June. My first period after going off the pill was 1 week late, this month, it's 1 1/2 weeks late. Did anyone have a similar reaction with being diagnosed and going off the pill around the same time?

I plan on taking a HPT on Saturday if I still haven't gotten it by then...

[jknnej]

I went gluten free six months ago and I've been on the pill for 11 years.

I didn't go off the pill, but after going gluten-free I missed my period 2 out of 4 months just because. I think it has something to do with going gluten free. Our bodies are in shock.

[gf4life]

I went off the pill after being on it for 5 years and it took me 6 months to start having periods again. I wasn't gluten free at the time, so I don't know how much that affected my situation. It is not uncommon to be late or even skip periods when stopping the pill.

God bless,

Mariann

[Anya78]

When I went gluten-free in December my periods remained normal (I was still on the pill then -- just went off a couple weeks ago, so we'll see how that goes). I'm sure it's possible that going gluten free could mess with your cycle, just as it can take some time on the diet before Celiac symptoms disappear. It is pretty likely that your body is just readjusting to going off birth control. Many women's bodies take time to adjust to a normal cycle after stopping the pill.

Keep us posted on what happens. Though there's no way to know for sure if it's the readjustment from going off BCP or going gluten-free that is altering your cycle, I'm still curious.

Best wishes

[Sarah Beth]

This isn't much different than what the others said, but I know that going off BC can mess with your hormones and throw off your cycle. Missing periods is one of the potential symptoms of celiac disease as well, and it takes 6-18 months of being gluten-free to heal up. You BC could have been what was keeping you regular.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease over a year ago (Dec 2004). When I went off the pill in October 2005, I had a 15 day cycle, then a 26 day cycle, then I missed a period completely (52 days w/out a period), and then a 25 day cycle. Before I went off the pill I had a solid 28 day cycle.

So I would just give it time. Go to a doctor if you miss two periods in a row, though.

-Sarah

[tarnalberry]

I went off the pill after being on it for 10 years, because I was having spotting for 2 years straight. I was diagnosed with Celiac in mid-June. My first period after going off the pill was 1 week late, this month, it's 1 1/2 weeks late. Did anyone have a similar reaction with being diagnosed and going off the pill around the same time?

I plan on taking a HPT on Saturday if I still haven't gotten it by then...

If being celiac, and untreated, left you very underweight, that might be part of the reason. In that case, your period would be expected to return as you put on weight (particularly body fat).

[mookie03]

Ironically, this post recirculated itself just as i was thinking the same thing.... I was dxed in June 2005 and went off the pill in July. Its now february and i havent gotten my period yet since june-- i am thinking it is from going off the pill but has anyone else not gotten their periods from the change in diet? (and no, i havent lost weight and yes, i am going to the doctor), just wondering if going gluten-free had such an effect on anyone else, b/c i know my doc has no knowledge of celiac

[jkmunchkin]

I've also been on the pill for 10 years or so. I haven't gone off it however, I was diagnosed in the end of June/July and I have noticed the last couple of months my period has not been as regular. I normally got it like clock work on the Tuesday after my last active pill. This past month it was a couple days late and same thing the month before. I think it has something to do with our bodies getting used to the new diet.

I'm also breaking out like I'm going through a second round of puberty!!

[floridanative]

I went off the pill in August when my hubby's vasectomy doc confirmed the procedure worked. By September I thought I was losing my mind. My hormones were way out of whack and my gyno said the only thing I needed to know about going off the pill (after 18 years) was to take the last pack completely. Wrong!!! Someone on this board recommended a book that save me emotionally. It's called 'What your doctor may not tell you about Premenopause (not perimenopause) by Dr. John R. Lee. I got it used on amazon for less than $6 with shipping. It was the best $6 I've ever spent. It recommends natural therapies including Natural Progesterone cream, Evening Primrose Oil and OTC vitamins. My mood swings were so dramatic and out of control that my pcp told me St. John's Wort would be good to try too but I'd already started taking them too before I saw her. Luckily everything I was taking is gluten free (St. John's Wort and Primrose Oil even states so on the box/bottle) so I didn't have to change my therapy with the dx of Celiac last month. I would tell anyone if they can avoid HRT they should. It's cheaper to go with the natural remedies as well. Since I've been on the program recommended in the book (and approved by my pcp) I have regular cycles just like when I was on the pill. Unfortunately Dr. Lee is now deceased so his used books may call out quite a price in the future. Good luck to you!

[mookie03]

It's wierd, other than minor bloating, i really have no signs of getting my period at all...in the past when i have gone off the pill i have skipped a few months but always had at least cramps each month.. but i agree, jillian, the change of diet seems to be a part of it...especially since im not the only one with this problem! floridanative- thanks for the advice, thats something i will ask my doc about if she wants to put me back on the pill, b/c i really dont want to!

[christa]

I went off the pill two years ago and haven't had a period since. I went on progesterone and still didn't have one then I went on clomid and had one. But when I was off it I didn't have one. Who knows

[sillyyak]

I last had my period in August 2005, when I finished taking the PILL (by my own choice, not doctor ordered). Since August 2005 I have not had a single period or even a single body inkling (cramping) that I am going to get one either. I was diagnosed in November 2005. No doctor can tell me why I have not had my period either but I keep getting asked what "plan to do about kids" (by the doctors). Nice to know they have a plan also! grrr.

[Emily22]

I had a similar experience too. I have not been diagnosed with celiac disease, but I have gluten sensitivity and the past two months that I have been gluten fee I was late 2 weeks in June and it's been 2 weeks this month and I still haven't gotten my period. I went off the pill in late March of 2010, because I was having a lot of problems and I thought that the pill might be causing them, but I was wrong. I was always regular on the pill and not it seems just the opposite.