Never done this before, here's my story, hope someone can provide some advice or has had a similar experience...

Went off ortho tricyclen Dec 05 with plans to start family after being on bc for about 12 years. I am 29 now. After period in January right after last pill pack, I have not had a period since. No cramps or indications what so ever of a period, just gone.

Saw gyno in March and had all hormone levels tested. Took 10 days of progestrone to try triggering period start. No luck. Discovered prolactin level of 199. Had MRI and discovered I have a pituitary microadenoma, a benign tumor that can cause high prolactin levels. Dr. told me my body thinks I am pregnant even though I am not. Started taking bromocriptine to reduce prolactin level and reduce size of tumor. All other hormone and thyroid levels normal.

May prolactin test showed a level of 7, June test showed a level of 14. Had another MRI here in July, still taking bromocriptine daily. Tumor is still same size, Dr. not concerned because prolactin level is down.

However, I am concerned. It has been over 6 months now with no period and if my prolactin level has been normal for at least 2 months now it tells me that that is not the casue of my lack of period.

Dr. suggests I start taking progestrone again to try period trigger or that I can start taking clomid to trigger ovulation. I am afraid to jump into taking more drugs. Any suggestions? How long should I wait to see if my period will start on its own knowing that the Dr. tells me everything is normal now?

Thank you.

Wow! This situation is way out of my realm unfortunately. I do not know much about prolactin or the medications you are taking. If you are feeling unsure about your doctors advice, then get a second, or even third opinion. It's your life and you're better safe then sorry. Maybe someone else here has been or is going through this same thing and will shed some light on the situation. Good luck and please keep us updated!

I was 22 and got off birth control pills after one yr.
I cannot remember what I was taking at the time.
I had the same experience but was not married or trying to get pregnant...I did not get my period for 7 months and after going back and forth to the doctor...he finaly recommended a reproductive endrocronligst. The first blood test showed a prolactin level of over 300 and the MRI showed a pituatry microadinoma.
I began taking Parlodel and within 1 year my period came back.
I did not get my period until my levels where normal and there was no sign of the tumor...The doctor explained that it had been reduced to excess cells.

I had many problems getting pregnant in my 30's.
I was then diagnosed with Lutial Phase Defect (all due to the elevated Prolactin issue)
I was on the maxim amt of parlodel and clomid and progestorone...etc. I was artifically inseminated 4 times before I got pregnant.My levels have been insinc ever since.
I am now 41 and have two children.
My advice to you would be to make sure you are under the care of a very good reproductive endrocronoligst.
Good Luck and never give up hope!!!

You have explained almost exactly what happened to me. I was a Sophomore in High School when I got a pituitary tumor. I didn't have a period, my breast lactated,pretty much my body thought it was pregnant but it wasn't. I didn't have a period for about 8 moths or so. I was put on Parlodel for about a year. They check my prolacten level throughout that time and it was always high. Once my prolacten level was normal they did another MRI and the tumor was gone. I started having a period again a couple months later. The doctor explained the same thing to me. "that is had been reduced to excess cells.

I am now 23 and have 16 month old twin boys. They were natural twins. I did not take any fertility drugs.

In the last 4 weeks I have been having severe headaches so I went and got a MRI done. They told me today that my pituitary tumor has returned.

I agree that a good endocronoligist is very important to have. Good Luck to everyone and hang in there. :-)

I was just wondering, I have high prolactin levels.....I am not sure the exact number, but I had my MRI and there was no growth on the pituatary. So now I am told I will have to be referred to an endcrineologist(sp??) and that the treatment will be medication of some sort. My question is how long generally were you on your meds till your prolactin levels went back to normal?? I so desperatley want a baby, and I am not getting any younger.....If you could share your experiances with me to help give me a general idea, I would appreciate it!

Thank you for your posts. Since my post mid-July I started taking 10 days of only progestrone (no clomid) once again and did finally get a normal period July 29th that lasted 5 days. I have not had another period since and I feel the one in July only happened due to the progestrone.

When trying to call my Dr. to let her know, I found out she was going to be out of the office for a month so I waited to be able to talk with her again. At end August calling the Dr. again to set an appointment, I now find out she is on medical leave through January. I now have an appt with a new Dr. set in October at a Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility clinic.

In August however, I did get the doc taking over the patients of my previous Dr. to schedule another MRI her in September for me that my original Dr. and I had planned.

That MRI showed no change in the tumor at all and the Dr. recommended that I just keep taking the Parlodel (bromocriptine) as I have been. I have not had another prolactin level blood test yet since the one in June but plan to schedule one. Shouldn't the size of the tumor be decreasing?

I am only taking one 2.5mg tablet of parlodel daily in the evenings. It sounds by a couple posts that you both had the tumor basically disappear before things came back to normal. What dosage of the parlodel where you taking?

I wonder if I need to go back to a higher dosage. I tried taking 2 a day for a few weeks but got such severe headaches that since my prolactin level dropped, the Dr. didn't see a need for me to keep the dosage that high.

I feel like I am kind of at a standstill and look forward to the new Dr. I will be seeing in a few weeks. We would really like to try getting pregnant soon.

Best wishes to all!

After I had my daughter at age 23, I began taking birth control (a shot)...about 10 months too late (ha ha. j/k). Anyways, after I took the shot, which lasted about 3 months, my period never came back. I was told the same thing as the first posting that I saw and have never gotten my period back. The doctors flip flop from one thing to another. They are absolutely clueless. They seem interested in helping and give up when the answer isn't obvious. I also took Bromocriptine but became very moody so promptly stopped. I am now 33 and still no period. Eventually, at around age 30, a doctor said, well, it looks like early menopause. I was shocked, hurt, and was annoyed that the doctor waited until I guess I was "of age" to give such a diagnosis instead of working towards figuring out the problem. In his mind "problem's solved."
I then moved to another doctor who was equally baffled.
I am still periodless and have serious side effects from the medicine so I stay away from it...
Wish someone could help us...