Going off Pill...need advice
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Going off Pill...need advice
| Tue, 03-16-2004 - 1:32pm |
I have been on ortho tricyclen for about 3 years and i am seriously considering stopping it. I think it is making sick and giving me headaches..although i am not sure what causes any of this i thought maybe it was the pill. I did ask my doc about it and he suggested not to go off it but he doesn't really listen to what i am saying. i just wanted to know what i can expect when i stop ? will there be any side effects?

When I went of the pill last summer (after almost 10 years on) I started to feel better almost immediately. My libido improved, lubrication improved, my moods are better, & I simply feel *better* overall, in little indefinable ways.
Unless you feel truly afwul, it is generally reccomended to stop your pills at the end of a pack, to try to minimize irregular bleeding. Do realize that you may not start to ovulate right away, so your first period could take a while to arrive.
Unless you are willing to risk pregnancy, be sure to have a reliable birth control method lined up BEFORE you stop your pills!
Good Luck, let us know how it goes.
I had the same experience coming off OCs as happyjusttwo. I was on OTC for 3 yrs. The last year my libido almost disappeared. When I stopped taking them I felt more alive and my libido came roaring back in just a few days. A good 2% Nonoxynol-9 spermicide (not the stuff that comes with some condoms) will increase the effectiveness of condoms considerably.
Or you could try NuvaRing, a vaginal ring with a very low (15 mcg of estrogen) dose of hormones. The ring is worn for 3 weeks and removed for one for your period. Or, if you are interested in non-hormonal alternatives, other than condoms, a diaphragm or cervical cap might be a good choice. If you don't plan on children for a few years an IUD is a very effective alternative but could be expensive (if your insurance won't cover it) in the short term. Let us know if you want more info. on any of these alternatives. I hope you find a method that works well for you.
Good luck
Jill
Good luck
Jill