Getting off the pills????

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Getting off the pills????
4
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 8:59pm
I have been on birth control for about 10 years and I recently got off of them this past weekend. I am wondering what to expect?

How has it affected any of you that have gone off it? Will my moods become more even - or will I still be a whacko (LOL) for a while? (BC pills made me VERY moody!)

Also, will it help with weight loss?

I have noticed I am breaking out more - is that normal?

Any advice would be great!

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 7:35am
What seems to be a good rule of thumb is to allow yourself as many months to adjust to being off the pill as you would to being on the pill. Your moods may be a little out of whack for a while, you may have irregular periods at first, yes you may have acne... You haven't been having normal cycles while you've been on the pill and now that you've stopped, your body has to figure out what to do again and that could be a little unusual for you. It should straighten out within a couple of months though!

The good news is we've had a lot of encouraging reports from women who have quit the pill and feel much more themselves.

Good luck!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2004
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 12:53pm
I got off bcp's about 6 mos ago after being on them for 8 years. You definitely notice a difference, but there are pros and cons. My cycle was regular the first few months, but now it is completely irregular, either really long cycles (50 days) or really short (20 days). Also, my face is starting to breakout more frequently, and I usually never have pimples.

I did lose a few pounds, but nothing really noticeable. And of course the best thing I've noticed since stopping bcp's is my sex drive! I actually have one now!

But I started a new relationship recently, so this is my first month back on them. I'm looking forward to my face clearing up and having regular cycles again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2004
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 3:21pm
I just went off birth control last week and want the same information. I've been extremely moody, tired and just feeling wierd. I never had any side effects when I was on birth control.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Tue, 11-16-2004 - 3:33pm

As I'm sure you must realize, every woman's body will react differently to the elimination of artificial hormones! That said, I'm happy to share my experience.

I got off of BCP last summer (so almost a year & a half now, WOW!) after just shy of 10 years on them. My experience on the pill was far from "normal", as it didn't really regulate my periods - irregular bleeding ranging from no bleeding to two weeks of bleeding each month - never knew what to expect... I also had heavy, crampy periods as a teen (went on the pill at 20).

When I went off the pill, things started to subtly improve immediately. Nothing glaring, just started feeling *better*. That includes libido, general mood, etc. I also have shorter (a little heavier, but not bad) periods than I had ON the pill, & less (almost none) cramping than I had ON the pill (which had been less than pre-pill). Ironically, my periods are settling down to being more predictable than they were while I was on the pill, but I know my case is a little odd.

Weight wise, I can't attribute any changes to the pill. I've gained & lost weight, both on & off the pill - not eating sugar (major simplification of how I eat) & getting more exercise are what does it for me!

Acne - my skin breaks out & clears up in seemingly random cycles, so I can't help you there!

Over-all, I LOVE being off hormones. I can't think of any reason that would make me go back on them. Most of all, I just feel *better*, in little ways I can't describe.