Expert: Bob Kambic - 6/6/2007

Question
QUESTION: I was on the patch for a little less than a year.  After I removed my patch in December, I never replaced it.  We are currently trying to get pregnant and have been since February.  I do get my periods, usually every 28-31 days.  I recently detected ovulation using an OPK in May.  I am still not pregnant and I am getting frustrated.  I already have a 4 year old daughter, so I'm just curious as to what we're doing wrong now?

ANSWER: You're not doing anything wrong. Below is the message to women coming off the pill. The patch is also a hormone so that this applies to you. You have been trying, Feb, March, April, May, only four months. Lots of time yet.

Let me answer in two parts. First when 100 couples try to get pregnant, no pills, no birth control, at the end of a year 80 will be pregnant. Some get pregnant the first month, some the second month, etc. It is impossible to predict which couple will get pregnant when. The 20 couples not pregnant after a year are considered infertile and usually go for medical help. You can't tell where you are until you try.

Now second, coming off the pill is similar. Some women return to normal cycling with no problem, others take sometime to resume normal cycling. You can't predict what will happen because all women are different.

So putting the two issues together, coming off the pill, first you will have to resume a "normal" cycle, then you will have to try to get pregnant. I suggest monitoring fertility will increase your understanding of all this and your confidence that your body is working correctly. Check http://www.irh.org/nfp.htm

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/HelpCenter/FFBook/ff_fertility_signs.html

Be sure to try to get a teacher to work with you until you really understand your fertility.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your words.  I was just wondering, what is considered a normal cycle?  My cycle still comes once a month, usually between 28-31 days, but I never really kept track of it when I was on the patch so I don't know if this is irregular for me.  On the patch it also came once a month, normally 2-days after removing the patch.  Is the fact that my cycle ranges from 28-31 days irregular?  I have been taking prenatal pills, is this okay being that I'm not pregnant?  Also, my cycle normally lasted for about 4 days, now it lasts for about 3 days.  I bleed during the day, but when I awaken in the morning, I don't have much blood at all.  Is this normal?
ANSWER: A 28 to 31 day cycle is quite regular.
The patch controls the cycle timing so being on the patch and being regular doesn't count. You are not on the pill and not on the patch, so your cycles are your own and 28 to 31 days is fine.

I am not sure what a prenatal pill is? Some sort of vitamin?
Your reduced bleeding could be related to your age. I don't know how old you are but women in their 20s have strong hormones, fertility begins to decline in the 30 year old age group.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, prenatal pills are vitamins.  Just to answer your question, I am 25 years old, is reduced bleeding at this age normal?  

Answer
Twenty five is a good age for pregnancy and you have had one successfully already so these are good signs that you will be able to have a second successful pregnancy. I wouldn't be concerned about the bleeding. I do suggest that you learn about your signs of fertility. Those are much more reliable signs of the ability to become pregnant, and the time of the cycle when this will happen.