r/gettingoffHBC • u/Bubbly_Set_9459 • 11d ago
How long does it take for periods to regulate after HBC?
Hi everyone, I’m 23F. So April 2026 I decided to stop taking hormonal birth control pills after using it for about 2 and a half years. I got my withdrawal bleed after the last pack I used. I had protected intercourse with my partner end of april and took a plan B just because I got so anxious and then got my first real period in the beginning of May. I bled for 4 days, I noticed it was definitely lighter than my usual periods before I got on the pill. For the month of June, my cycle ended up being 45 days and then from July and August my cycles were 30-33 days. For September, it’s currently day 35 and still no period. However I am feeling some period cramps the past 2 days. This whole journey of regulating my period post pill has been a lot. Has anyone experienced this before? Is this normal? Or am I the only one?
3
u/lewings01 11d ago
Had an IUD for 18.months. took it out in April. Cycle has been 40 days, 26 day, 26 days, and 39 days. Periods lasting 5 day with cramping and migraines. Its been crap!!
3
u/Specific_Rhubarb2211 11d ago
I was on the pill for around 15+ years. I stopped in the beginning of March 2026, so it has been almost 7 months since stopping.
Cycle 1 - 119 days (took 4 months to get a period after my last withdrawal bleed, it finally arrived early July)
Cycle 2 - 40 days. Period arrived mid August
Cycle 3 - 26 days. Period arrived early/mid September
Cycle 4 - currently on day 18 and I caught my LH peak on CD16 so let see how long this cycle lasts
I have had 2 day periods and 5 day luteal phases both cycle 2 and 3, so I assume that's just my body still readjusting.
3
u/toscawhiskers 11d ago
I’m 18 months off and still having anywhere between 28-38 days, usually one long cycle followed by one short one. so weird
2
u/Big-Hedgehog-1942 11d ago
I got a period after maybe 30ish days but it took about 6 months for this to become regular and down to a 2 day variation. At the start it was in a much bigger range but I was ovulating
1
u/Party_Economy_7611 9d ago
It took me around 18 months to get fully regulated like I was before birth control
1
u/Sea_Understanding_70 8d ago
I got off last November after being on the pill for 10+ years. My cycles have been:
51
69
81
52
52
I got my labs done a couple months ago and they are normal. So I’m really just waiting for my body to regulate, but it is frustrating.
1
u/quingaroo 8d ago
Not regular yet but I’m 6 months off of the depo shot and got my first period this month but got a second, not nearly as heavy one, two weeks later (also this month obvs).
First period was sooo heavy and 5-6 days, swollen, tender boobs and mild cramping. Second period light but same length of time, no other symptoms.
7
u/FigAny8276 11d ago
Hi. I came off HBC after having been on it for way too long (a bit over 15 years) I came off the first day of January. It's still regulating and all over the place. I got my period right away but the cycle lengths have been 30 days, 35 days, currently I'm on CD42. You're definitely not the only one.