stopping birth control side effects

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2003
stopping birth control side effects
7
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 1:39pm
I am thinking of going off of birth control because i have side effects that are less than desirable. My husband is getting a vasectomy and i will be going off BC. I am on OTC and am wondering if any one experiences negative side effects when coming OFF the pill. Thanks!

Missy
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2004
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 3:36pm
Hi! I recently went off of the pill for a month, and I had really bad side effects from it. The first one I noticed was my skin breaking out, but that was nothing compared to the constant nausea (I even vomited once) I had. I also had diarreha (sorry TMI) and a lot of cramps. I had been on Estrostep. I'm sure that everyone is different though, and you might not get any side effects from it (hopefully). I started Yasmin on Monday, and so far I haven't had any bad side effects from it. Good luck to you! :)

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-29-2004
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 3:50pm
Hi Missy, I started to have really nasty breakouts after I went off the pill, so you might want to be prepared for that (so bad, I just went back on two months ago--I'ld rather be 10 lbs. heavier with clear skin, than thin with horrible acne!). I also felt crabbier when I was ovulating, and I missed knowing exactly when I was going to start bleeding. On the positive side, I lost about 20 lbs...
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 5:53pm
I have been off of the pill now for well over a year. My husband also had a vasectomy. All of my experiences going off hormones are positive! My mood is better, my libido is better, lubrication during sex is quicker (nearly instant!), my cramps are better, I actually bleed less days per month than I did on the pill too.

I want to caution you to make sure that you wait the full amout of time after the vasectomy and that your husband has the test or tests necessary (and gets the appropriate result!) before you quit using your BCP. The procedure varies from doctor to doctor, ours had us wait 3 months then have one negative sperm test, I know some doctors want two tests - trust that your doctor knows what he is doing and be guided by his advice.

Good Luck! I love being off the pill & knowing we're "safe"!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 8:20am
I absolutely agree with happyjusttwo(glad to "see" you, by the way!). We used condoms from August 2003 till June of 2004-when the final results from the vasectomy came back. My husband had the procedure in Feb 2004 and he had a sperm analysis in May and then a second in June and then we were oked to forgo all other means of birth control. I have had nothing but good things going off the pill. Better(sooo much better) mood, weight loss, and shorter periods. As far as my skin is concerned it is better, but I use the AcneFree system sold at Walmart and it keeps my skin clear. Hope all goes as well for you!

Josie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2004
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 8:47am
I agree with everyone else...when I went off the pill i lost weight, but my skin got horrendous. Other than that I didnt really experience any differences.

Good luck!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 5:48pm
Hi-

I went off the pill almost a year ago and I feel so much better. My skin went through about 1 month of acne as my body adjusted. But my mood was better, my blood pressure went down, my sex drive went WAY up, and I just felt better in general. I hope you enjoy being off BCP I know I love being off of them.

Good Luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2004
Mon, 11-08-2004 - 11:57am
I stopped taking bcp's Sep 15th, had positive ovulation tests, and got my period exactly 28 days later. Now I am almost finished with my 2nd cycle, and it is the exact same thing so in that respect, everything is going great. I have been extrememly ill from the first day of my cycle through ovulation. Horrible nausea/fatigue all day and diarrhea every morning. I think since my body now has to produce it's own estrogen, it is in overdrive or something- NOT fun. I am frustrated with the lack of information I find on this, but maybe what I am experiencing is rare, or maybe I am looking in the wrong places! :) I have had a few skin breakout issues, but nothing significant. I am definitely more emotional and moody at times, but I know it is just from the hormones so I don't get too stressed about it. I am wondering how long it will be until my body feels normal- has anyone been through this? I just can't handle another 2 weeks of nausea!!