Effects of stopping the pill...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Effects of stopping the pill...
22
Sat, 03-27-2004 - 5:46pm
Hi, I'm new to the board. I'm 27 years old, married, and have been on the pill for about 8 years. I'm considering stopping the pill. I am having some metabolic issues and would like to get my body back to as natural a state as possible (meaning not taking any medications that aren't absolutely necessary). I have had a low sex drive, semi-severe headaches, and mood swings and it's gotten worse in the last few months. I have no idea if those issues are related to the pill, but I'm thinking I'd like to experiment to see how I feel off the pill.

Has anyone had any experiences stopping the pill? Positive or negative side effects? I'm interested in any thoughts anyone wants to share. Thanks so much for your time.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 03-27-2004 - 7:08pm

Most likely you'll have no ill effects...your mood swings and sex drive might improve if it was the pill causing the problems.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Sat, 03-27-2004 - 9:51pm
Welcome gymrat76!

I had similar side effects as you while on the pill, plus weight gain. Anyway, I stopped taking the pill in Aug of last year after 20 years (minus 4 years for pregnancies). Immediately, and I mean immediately, my mood was great, no more headaches, sex drive skyrocketed, and the weight dropped off! And I have never felt better! The only thing I dont like is wondering when my period will arrive. Even though it is pretty regular, every 26-28 days, I start getting anxious about day 24 of my cycle. Let us know what you decided and if you do stop, let us know how you are feeling!

Josie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Sun, 03-28-2004 - 7:36am
I just finished a pack so the timing is good. :) Thanks for your thoughts. I thought I'd give myself about 3 months off the pill to see how I feel. I imagine it'll probably take that long to get it all out of my system. Before the pill, I was on Depo-provera so since I've been sexually active, I've never *not* been on something. It'll be interesting to see how it affects me.

Thanks again.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Sun, 03-28-2004 - 7:42am
Thanks for sharing your experiences... very helpful to read that! :) I'm a little bit scared about doing it, because I went on birth control immediately when I became sexually active and that was 11 years ago. I have no idea how my body will feel without it so it should be interesting.

Did you find a different preferred method of birth control when you stopped? I'm debating on what I will use. My husband and I have been together for about 10 years and we are pretty sure we don't want kids. However, I decided several years ago that I really wanted to wait until we're 30 (we're both 27 now) before we get him "fixed." On that note, I did tell him he could ago ahead and find a doctor, see how much it costs, etc.... just take the preliminary steps and see how we both feel.

I just finished my pill pack yesterday so "that time" will be this coming week. Next week will be my first week without it so it should be interesting. If I'm freaking out, I'm sure I'll be back for more support. Thanks again. :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 03-28-2004 - 8:52am
Hi gymrat76, welcome!

My experience has been quite similar to ilv2cook. I was on OTC for three years and during the last one my libido almost disappeared. Now that I’ve I stopped taking hormones I feel so much better, more alive and vibrant! And, my libido came roaring back within a week! I had successfully used a Prentif cervical cap before I went on the pill so I was thinking about going back to that. Researching, I found there was a new much smaller disposable silicone cap, called Oves, which can be worn for 3 days without removal. So that is what I’ve been using for 24 cycles now and it fits my lifestyle extremely well. I love how well Oves works for me!

You might want to consider an IUD which is very effective. The ParaGard (Copper-T) http://www.paragardiud.com/ is good for about 8-10 yrs. and the Mirena http://www.mirena-us.com/ , which releases a tiny bit of progestin, is good for 5 yrs. There is a slightly higher chance that a woman who hasn’t had children might expel her IUD but in a monogamous relationship PID isn’t a problem and more docs are becoming receptive to inserting IUDs for women who haven’t had children. Post and let us know what you decide.

While you’re deciding be sure to use condoms and a good spermicide, not the stuff that comes with some condoms. A good 2% Nonoxynol-9 gel works well and when combined with condoms is very effective.

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Sun, 03-28-2004 - 9:54am
Thanks for the information! I'm glad you had a positive experience as well. Hearing others' experiences (positive ones!) is making me feel better about this (not that I feel bad ~ just uncertain).

I've been out of the loop for so long that I haven't even heard of the cervical cap. I will definitely look into that and the IUD you mentioned.

Thanks again! :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Sun, 03-28-2004 - 5:31pm
We have been using only condoms since I stopped taking the pill. My husband got a vasectomy in February but the post-vasectomy sperm test isnt until May and a second one in June. Then, if both come back negative for sperm, we are good to forgo the condoms. As far as price goes, let me tell you it is nothing compared to what a tubal would be. We paid $15 for the intial consultation. Insurance picked up 80% of the cost and we ended up paying $26 dollars more. Thats all. With a tubal, we would have paid around $500 plus. Major difference there along with the difference in recovery. He had no pain, just said he was sore. The next day he drove into town! And was back to lifting more than 10lbs in a week(though I think he did before that but that was the post-procedure instructions).

Now, when you stop the pill, dont expect your period to show up the same day it would be due on the pill. Mine was five days later. Just try and be extra extra careful this month so you dont get freaked out! And your period my not be the same as before. If you have any concerns then we would be happy to help you out!

Josie

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 9:25am
I just wanted to chime in that I love being off hormones too. I've been off since last June & my body is so much happier. I feel better in many little ways that I can't articulate, as well as the more common ones like easier arousal. My PMS has practically disappeared (weird, I had it both before and on the pill) & my cycles are long (30ish days) with short periods (3-5 days, only 2 or 3 of those heavy flow).

I can't help you with what sort of birth control to choose, we waited until the post-vas sperm test for me to go off the pill.

Good Luck! Don't freak out of your first period takes a while to arrive.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 12:23pm
Hi gymrat. I posted a similar question yesterday and was referred to your post, along with good replies too. I would have started my new pack of pills this coming Monday, but I'm not gonna. Let's keep each other, and the board, posted on our upcoming experience!

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 12:30pm
You bet! Next week will also be my first week off the pill. The ladies here gave such great advice and I feel so much better about doing this. I'll definitely post an update. Good luck to you!

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