Please post your experiences coming off of birth control.

Jeanie_N · 06-01-2009, 08:45 AM

I'm finally coming off birth control! After being on it for 4 years...I really don't know what to expect. Please post your negative and positive experiences, what pill you were on, and when you started experiencing changes. I was off of it for 1 month before but I don't think that was long enough for my body to adapt.

I've been researching and seeing that women have had problems with breakouts once getting off the pill...this is one of my biggest fears as I've had clear skin my whole life.

I really wish I could stay on it. I don't mind using condoms but I hate wondering every month if I'm going to get my period (constant paranoia). Anyway, I would love to hear what everyone's experiences were!

IronCitGrl · 06-01-2009, 09:11 AM

I had really strange problems. I kept bleeding continually and then it would stop. I'd try to have sex and it would start again (very inconvenient!). Then another weird thing happened-- I started to lactate! Hey at least I know they work properly (not having kids ever though) I had to go see an endocrinologist to make sure everything was okay but after about two months everything went away.

I don't use birth control pills at all now I just don't think you should mess with your hormones that much and for long periods of time.

gingerbabe · 06-01-2009, 09:52 AM

I came off the pill a few weeks ago, after being on it for about 3 years. My skin has been fine, I just had a heavier/longer period than usual. I can usually have sex on my period with my bf, but this time it was just so heavy and gross we had to stop.

Since I've gone off I have lost a few pounds, but I have been eating clean and working out hard, so I'm not sure it the weight loss is due to my efforts or coming off the pill.

I was on YAZ and I've been on Yasmine before. Didn't have any major effects of coming off the pill.

endomonkey · 06-01-2009, 10:12 AM

I have been off for almost 3 months now. Not becuase I wanted to but just to busy/lazy to go get a different kind for the doctor. I was taking my current pills for the last 6 years, I started taking them bc I have always had bad acne, but it started to give me bad acne and cysts on my face. It got better a month after I stoped taking them but now I have little bumbs that just developed over the last few days all over my forehead. Not sure if its from getting off the bc, or the lotion I put on after I got sunburned the weekend before, or the protein powder I just started taking. Also bc kept me on a "regular schedule" now its just a guessing games which has made me a little nervous.

BuffedWildCat · 06-01-2009, 11:28 AM

I came off ortho-novum 1/35 in September of 2007 when I wanted to get pregnant with child #2. I was on them from the age of 18 until the age of 35. I didn't go back on them after having child #2 cause I had my tubes tied along with the C-section. The changes are as follows:

1) I'm back to bleeding for 6 days instead of 3.

2) Periods are much heavier, using super tampons first two days, while on the pill I didn't have to use anything other than thick pantiliner.

3) Cramping is back, didn't have any cramping at all while on the pill. Now I get cramping on the first day of my period every time.

4) On the plus side, I have A LOT more lubrication during sex and if I hadn't had my tubes tied, I could probably get pregnant quite easily cause now it's very easy to tell when I'm fertile based on my cervical discharge, there are distinct changes which tells me which part of the cycle I'm in.

And that's all, no other changes.

hsmosny · 06-01-2009, 12:25 PM

I got prego on the pill twice after taking them daily at the same time never skipped a pill or anything...that wasnt good. so i took myself off the pill and went on the ring. it works great i keep it in 21 days and then take it out...no complaints except for i started early yesterday the day i was supposed to take the ring out was today... but they say you can have break through bleeding. I havent put on any weight like i did with bc either. I like it and am only staying on it until i get married and we start having kids then whatever happens happens...my bf words. So its all varies from person to person

run4fun · 06-01-2009, 05:59 PM

I was having bad joint pain and muscle cramping on BC so I stopped taking it after being on it for about 5 years. When I stopped, I lost about 5 lbs. and reduced my body fat by quite a bit really fast. I also noticed less joint pain and better endurance on long runs. Had I known BC was holding me back so much, I would have quit much sooner!! I also have noticed better sex drive now... and better skin!! Better all around to let your body do it's thang!!!

Jeanie_N · 06-02-2009, 12:14 AM

It's great to see everyone's experiences! I'm also hoping stopping the pill will curb my moodiness...I get emotional extremely easy so if that doesnt go away i guess it's just me :-p. And of course I hope it helps me with losing weight. The pill I was on for the past 6 months made me gain 15 lbs so fast that I am getting stretch marks =(. Excited to see the changes my body will experience off of hormones!

gewaltigsbabe · 06-02-2009, 05:06 AM

Birth control was a dumb experience for me.
My period has never been regular, so I was hoping BC would help regulate it.
The first type I was on for a month, and had bleeding nearly every day.
So my doc. switched my pills, and the bleeding stopped for about 2 weeks, and it has been back ever since.
So I decided to quit them, because not only this, but it was making me feel terrible in a lot of other ways.

After stopping last month, i am still continuing to bleed. Some days it's really really light, and other days its unusually heavy (heavier than my period).
And I feel pregnant (but im not!). Extremely hungry. Head aches.

terracotta · 06-02-2009, 06:38 AM

I was on BC, low dose, for 9 years. I came off of them and was pregnant within 2 months. So I don't know how things would have regulated. However, I will say that I had very very bad ovulation pain the first month. I was in pain for about 4 days, sharp cramping. The next month, I had just one day of ovulation pain.

I had no cravings during PMS time, but those seemed to shift to ovulation time and I was more hungry then instead. I did not lose weight in those 2 months (but I wasn't trying).

Megin · 06-02-2009, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terracotta

I was on BC, low dose, for 9 years. I came off of them and was pregnant within 2 months.

I was waiting for someone to say 'My experience upon stopping BC was getting preggers'
And I know ^ is uncalled for .. just couldn't help myself today

lauren921 · 06-02-2009, 08:02 AM

I got off Depo last month and haven't noticed any difference, but I've heard it can take up to 9 months to get that stuff out of your system. I'm going to wait and see how bad my cycles/PMS will be once they start back; I may decide I'd rather live with the extra 10 pounds than go through that again.

jmccarthey · 06-02-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megin

I was waiting for someone to say 'My experience upon stopping BC was getting preggers'
And I know ^ is uncalled for .. just couldn't help myself today

Ha ha! I've been waiting for that too....glad someone said it...hehe! That's the result I would expect coming off BC anyway... My hubby and I have been talking about it, but the thought of getting preggo still freaks me out a little....too much responsibility...haha!

cadre · 06-02-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanie_N

It's great to see everyone's experiences! I'm also hoping stopping the pill will curb my moodiness...I get emotional extremely easy so if that doesnt go away i guess it's just me :-p. And of course I hope it helps me with losing weight. The pill I was on for the past 6 months made me gain 15 lbs so fast that I am getting stretch marks =(. Excited to see the changes my body will experience off of hormones!

I went off one of many pills I had tried a couple months ago when I had an IUD placed. Best decision ever. I did really well on higher dose BCs but now I'm on an IUD with low amounts of hormones and it has been going really well. My body is still adjusting but that's more the IUD than going of the pills.

I would expect to be emotional for a little while since your body has to readjust and I had a little bit more acne than usual. I've gone on and off before so from my experience, after a couple weeks things get back to normal.

FameGirl · 06-02-2009, 12:11 PM

Had some breakouts on my back, very minor. Breakouts on my forehead. Lumps in my armpits (which finally has gone away... I think). Yasmin did hell to my body.

Now, I'm much more "stable" and happier.

I tried to go back on the nuva ring after a few months being BC free, and I gained 5 lbs in 10 days... some of which was water, but still.

I am done f*cking with my hormones.

BootyCamp · 06-02-2009, 12:30 PM

I've been off birth control (the pill-Alesse) for several years. It caused awful bouts of reocurring gingivitis.

I've had no negative side affects. I've very in tune with my body now & don't have to worry about when my cycle is going to start because it always start on time.....that and the natural signals you body sends: bloating, breast tenderness, going into heat, PMS related mental breakdowns, etc. I've always been one to keep tampons everywhere at all times anyway.

Wait, I guess that would be a negative side affect. Some months I do have serious PMS, I think I have that new thing, PMDD. I've never experianced this while on the pill (I was on the pill from age 14-22). But I don't believe in medication so I just sit & cry or play PS2 all day and mope....or shop. That PMS causes a shopaholic affect on me too.

Jrzimmer · 06-02-2009, 12:40 PM

^^^ Awww that sux!

<---Mood swings/crier....

northXnorthwest · 06-02-2009, 05:25 PM

I initially went on birth control four-ish years ago to help with bad cramps...just came off it in Feb. 09 and haven't noticed any super drastic changes, but I have seen
>more moodiness. Mood swings in the first month or so coming off, but they pass.
>Slightly more oily skin. This doesn't necessarily mean more acne, but it means I can't be as lazy with not washing my face as I used to be :P
>some cramping but no period as of yet. (4 months) I expect it to show up soon...?

Kimmers55 · 06-03-2009, 08:25 PM

I was on birth control since I was 15 years old, and now I am 23 years old. I got off of it because during my period, i was getting horrific headaches, moodiness, and fatigue. I feel so much better off of it. The only con I say with not being on it is not being "regular" or knowing when your period is. I feel a lot better in every way. Also my sex drive has been great! being on birth control killed my libido. I do not know if this has anything to do with getting off birth control, but I have had 2 ovarian cysts within 2 months. So I do not know if that is a side effect of stopping birth control or not. Best of luck to you, hope this helps

mishil · 06-05-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadre

I went off one of many pills I had tried a couple months ago when I had an IUD placed. Best decision ever. I did really well on higher dose BCs but now I'm on an IUD with low amounts of hormones and it has been going really well. My body is still adjusting but that's more the IUD than going of the pills.

I would expect to be emotional for a little while since your body has to readjust and I had a little bit more acne than usual. I've gone on and off before so from my experience, after a couple weeks things get back to normal.

I agree! I had an IUD(Mirena) put in place in 2006 and the first 6 months sucked. The light Spotting everyday was unexpected but after that I like it so far! I strongly suggest to get Mirena. It is low dose, takes away the bad period cramping and has had very little side effects for me. Plus, not having to worry about taking a pill, replacing a patch or ring is great. I'm not sure if you can get it, if you haven't had children before though.

I_Fight_Boys · 06-09-2009, 07:56 AM

I was on Loestrin 20 for about 3 years when I came off it. In a matter of weeks I had really bad acne and was always really bitchy, turns out that I have a hormone imbalance, don't know if I've always had it or if it was caused by the pill but I'm back on it now, taking Yasmin no problems yet.

Jessica29 · 06-09-2009, 06:53 PM

ughhhhhhhh just the acne on my back,shoulders and neck. Mind you I have never had acne once in my life!!!!!!! I hate it

Did anyone experience this as well? I feel like no medications help either..

Jessica29 · 06-09-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Fight_Boys

I was on Loestrin 20 for about 3 years when I came off it. In a matter of weeks I had really bad acne and was always really bitchy, turns out that I have a hormone imbalance, don't know if I've always had it or if it was caused by the pill but I'm back on it now, taking Yasmin no problems yet.

I just read your reply..thats really ironic because I just got many blood tests seeing what was wrong with me.. and turns out I have a hormonal imbalance as well... polycystic ovary disease? Maybe this has caused the acne?

Jeanie_N · 06-09-2009, 09:32 PM

now i'm scared!! Hope I don't start breaking out =/...it's been a week or so off birth control...no changes yet!

Making_A_Change · 06-09-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishil

I agree! I had an IUD(Mirena) put in place in 2006 and the first 6 months sucked. The light Spotting everyday was unexpected but after that I like it so far! I strongly suggest to get Mirena. It is low dose, takes away the bad period cramping and has had very little side effects for me. Plus, not having to worry about taking a pill, replacing a patch or ring is great. I'm not sure if you can get it, if you haven't had children before though.

After two years, I got my 5-Year Mirena IUD removed a couple of weeks ago. When I first got it, I didn't have a period for 6 months. Then they were relatively light for almost a year, BUT they lasted for a week instead of 3-4 days like when I was on the pill. About 6 months ago, I started having a period every 14 days! I would FEEL it coming for a week, HAVE the period for a week. By the time it ended, I was bloated and, I guess, ovulating AGAIN!

I am going back to the pill next month. Now, that I take supplements/vitamins every morning remembering to take it won't be a problem. In the meantime, I would like to see if my period regulates itself. Contest prep around two cycles per month (and the intense carb cravings that came with it) was a challenge.

TopRun · 06-10-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanie_N

now i'm scared!! Hope I don't start breaking out =/...it's been a week or so off birth control...no changes yet!

I stopped taking the pill in January after almost 8 years. The past few months I am definitely less moody and feel less bloated. I broke out a little bit more at first, but that seemed to level off.

I'm not an expert, but everybody is different and will react differently - that being said, I'm totally convined BC is evil, yet highly effective at preventing babies. Oh - and I was freaked out about getting knocked up, but we're careful so far so good!

In_Flight · 06-11-2009, 02:33 PM

I have been off of the pill now for about 2 years. I was using Tricyclen??

Comming off of it was hard. I had been on it for about 4 years. First I noticed i was extremely emotional. I cried alot the first two weeks but since then everything has been fine. I think it may have kept my depressed feelings underwraps a bit but i firmly believe there are better ways to deal with emotions, also my skin DID change. Now when I am stressed it shows!!! The pill really cleared up my acne especially on my back and chest. I am now looking for other methods of clearing this up.
My thoughts i guess are that going off the pill is worth it if you are doing it for the right reasons, but do not get discourage if you have a few road blocks.

Good Luck hun@

otongki · 06-11-2009, 02:41 PM

This is a very informational thread. I've never had birth control before, so did my gf. I asked her to get into birth control, but she said everything about hormonal and changes.. At that time I thought she was talking crazy, but this makes quite sense..

It's true that effect may include weight gain, which can easily came off post-cycle. Some girls might not want to use it because of that, but for guys a BC is a safety precaution regardless the seriousness of their relationship.

Top off to OP!

r0nnie_btch · 06-11-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanie_N

It's great to see everyone's experiences! I'm also hoping stopping the pill will curb my moodiness...I get emotional extremely easy so if that doesnt go away i guess it's just me :-p. And of course I hope it helps me with losing weight. The pill I was on for the past 6 months made me gain 15 lbs so fast that I am getting stretch marks =(. Excited to see the changes my body will experience off of hormones!

Well...
About curbing your moodiness : When u take birth control pills... u don't have a regular cycle, wich means that (depending on the type of pill u take) yur level of hormones will always be constant and there wont be any big swing, like in regular cycles. It's the hormonal variation that interfere with yur mood. People who aren't on pills have the tendency to be moody during there periodes because of the high variation of hormonal level in their blood...
About loosing weight : sorry to disapoint but pills doesn't make u fatter, it only enhance water retention because the level of estrogen/progesteron is constant through the cycle... but every month when u stop yur pill for 7 days, the level of hormones become low and the water u retained during the month is flushed through mense... of course initially u tend to retaine more water and can gain up to 5 pounds... but yur body adapt and yur kidney flush the extra water. with time... the weight gain with birth control is a misconception... but progesterons does enhance appetite... so if u eat more, of course you'll gain weight.

joangel32 · 06-12-2009, 12:00 PM

I was on the NuvaRing for about 2 years and loved it. My periods were very regular and I didn't bleed as long as I did before. However, due to moving from Los Angeles to Tennessee about 3 months ago, I haven't found a new doctor so my Ring expired and I didn't have a new supply, so I've had to switch to condoms. After about a week being off it, I started spotting for several weeks (until I got my period again), and after that the spotting went away. I also remember my nipples being really tender, almost to the point that they would hurt.

Everything's back to normal now though, thank goodness. :-)