Understanding Two Periods in One Month After Birth Control

Question
I stopped taking my birth control pills to start TTC at the end of November 2009. I started my first period after stopping the pill on Jan.1 2010.  My period lasted about 5 days, and then on Jan. 12th I had some minor spotting. I went to my OB and she said everything looked normal. Blood tests came back normal, and I tested negative for pregnancy. The spotting only lasted a few days and was pretty light. I got my next period on Feb. 4th. Again, it lasted about 5 days. On Feb. 20th I started my period again. This time it is much heavier than usual. I tested negative on many pregnancy tests before my period began on 2/4 so I am really confused about what is going on. I have a son who is 19 months and we had no trouble conceving with him. I got pregnant the first month, had a miscarriage and got pregnant with him the first month that we tried after the miscarriage. We are TTC our second and I am terrified that something is wrong. What can I do??

Thanks for your help!

Jessica

Answer
Dear Jessica,

It is not at all unusual for women who have been regulated by the BCP for a substantial period of time to experience irregular cycles for awhile when the BCP is discontinued. In fact, often our cycles are never as much like clockwork as they were before.

The hormonal balance necessary for regular menstrual cycles is very delicate. When we take a hormonal contraceptive, that balance is regulated by the medication. We then can usually count on the "clockwork" type cycles. Without the influence of those medications, our bodies can tend to take a few months to get back into shape, so to speak, and start regulating those hormones on its own.

Again, this is not an unusual occurrence, but it does require patience and a certain preparedness for anything at anytime.  :-) If you are stressing about it, THAT can actually play a bigger role in preventing conception than the bit of irregularity in your cycles. Try and "go with the flow" for a few months - so to speak. Have sex every 2-3 days in the meantime so that you know you are not missing any fertile window, and try to relax.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda