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First natural period after birth control

Posted by mia2098 @mia2098, Feb 28, 2020

I stopped my pill mid pack over three weeks ago and bled heavy for a day and a half. Since then after 26 days from withdraw bleed I bled for two days first was more heavy and the second was regular and now on my third day it is ver very light. Is this normal? I’m scared this could be like implantation bleeding, except my blood has been bright red. I also use condoms and spermicide since I’ve been off pill and I’ve always used protection.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 29, 2020

Hi @mia2098, I know you're worried. Every women is different, so it is impossible to define "normal". It can take a few months after stopping the pill before your periods find your normal. Have you considered doing a simple at home pregnancy test?

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pattitoo | @pattitoo | Feb 29, 2020

I certainly remember my first period after DCing The Pill - extreme cramping, I pondered I may be having a miscarriage.
My "pill periods" were pain free, In no time I was back on my pre-pill cycle of 26 days and considerable monthly cramping,
I always experienced from a teen to menopause.
Myself I agree with Colleen's suggestion of doing an "at home" test, you will have peace of mind.

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1 reply
mia2098 | @mia2098 | Mar 1, 2020
In reply to @pattitoo "I certainly remember my first period after DCing The Pill - extreme cramping, I pondered I..." + (show)
@pattitoo

I certainly remember my first period after DCing The Pill - extreme cramping, I pondered I may be having a miscarriage.
My "pill periods" were pain free, In no time I was back on my pre-pill cycle of 26 days and considerable monthly cramping,
I always experienced from a teen to menopause.
Myself I agree with Colleen's suggestion of doing an "at home" test, you will have peace of mind.

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I actually took a test the day that I started bleeding, technically one day before my period and it was negative. Should I assume I’m good then?

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 1, 2020

Hi, @mia2098 - I know I would feel concerned, too, if I thought there was any chance of my being pregnant when that was not at all my intention or desired timing.

First, to answer your question about pregnancy, here are a couple of Mayo Clinic articles that may be helpful:

- Early signs of pregnancy https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853

- Whether you can trust an at-home pregnancy test https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940

I do know that for me, I've had odd periods both when on birth control (e.g., an IUD that made me bleed profusely) and not (e.g., another odd period when I bled so heavily for no known reason that I soaked the seat in my car and finally had to go to the emergency room).

Has anything further developed with your bleeding in the last couple of days?

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