Going off birth control has been on my mind for the past few years, but I always felt the timing wasn’t right (for no real reason). However, now that I’ve had time to really slow down and listen to my body, I feel as though my body is screaming at me to get off HBC asap. With that said, I keep getting nervous about the potential negative side effects (especially after being so used to something for 15 years!). So, I turned to the loveliest ladies I know, and below are the experiences they shared with me (word for word snips from my Instagram story). Of course, remember to speak to a trusted healthcare provider as everyone’s body is different.
I plan on stopping HBC this month and will document my journey and share in a follow-up post. Thank you to everyone who spoke with me, it is so greatly appreciated and I know your tips will be valued by everyone reading this post.
I am so thankful for the 30+ women who chose to share their experience after stopping hormonal birth control
- Detox bebe! Hormones will be wack for a bit but its the best I’ve ever felt being off it!!
- I took a break 4 years ago – zero negative effects! Better mood etc! I JUST re-started this Monday, not even a week on it yet. Been crabby haha! The only reason I re-started is because of my upcoming wedding. I loved not being on birth control. Stopping was super easy in my experience, and 100% the right move for me back then. 4 years off.
- Well, I’m a different case than most because I have PCOS so it caused me a lot of hormonal imbalance issues but the pill is truly, to it’s core, NOT good for your natural reproductive system, so the sooner you get off it and let your body run a natural course, the better, in my opinion of course!! you’ll be fine! Just pay attention to your body and see what changes come and give yourself a little grace of your moods change as things settle down. And don’t be alarmed if it takes a couple months for your body to get a natural period. Can stay in your system for upwards of 4-6 months!
- I got off a few months ago, I started loosing a lot more hair than normal… I’ve never had acne throughout my life really, my skin has stayed about the same. Only difference was yeah the hair:( I feel like thickness before my hair was like 10/10 not it’s like 7/10:( and I’ve been having random cramps a couple days of my months week before and after my period
- Weight gain and acne for a few month but then had better skin and felt healthier and more svelte.
- Just like the usual breakouts I’d get with my period, mostly around my chin, but lasted for a few months if I remember correct!
- The first time I went off it (after being on it for about 7 years) there was a bit of acne but I was also early 20’s when acne can be an issue anyway. Second time I went off it no acne – also got pregnant immediately (I was 31).. I was only on the generic brand of Allesse so very low doses of hormones to begin with. Acne is also related to so much more than synthetic hormones eg. Yes your hormones will be all over the place after going off the pill – but if your more stressed/hormonal and not looking after yourself (mentally, physically ans nutritionally) then those hormones amplify their craziness so I think if you set yourself up for success and try and carve more time for self care (knowing you’ll be feeling a little off) you should be able to manage it well!
- After soooo much research, I’ve actually learned that birth control affects over 150 systems within the body and alters their processes..I’m so grateful for my time using it but very very grateful to be off!
- Feel way more in tune with my body now.
- On the back of my reply- I’m not a medical professional and everyone is different- I stopped taking BC a few years ago and never had anything crazy happen to me. You may go through and adjustment period. You just obviously need to be thoughtful about your contraceptive alternatives. With BC my period cramps are really no different thank they are now I’ll have a couple days of tiredness and need to take some ibuprofen like everyone else. The length of my period has actually decreased.
- I realized how negatively it was impacting my sex drive
- I’ve been off it for 3 months now. Only side effects were the increased mood swings.
- Going off BC was the best thing for my depression and anxiety, completely changed my mood!
- It’s definitely been a life saver for me. I was notorious for forgetting to take my birth control. I also tried to track my cycle before and I got very anxious about not knowing when my period would start. With an IUD I don’t have a period anymore which is a win in my books. I also like the fact that there isn’t an excess flow of hormones going through my bloodstream. The IUD only targets the one area that’s necessary unlike the pill. That said I was on the pill for maybe 8 years and then had an IUD prior to switching to natural cycles – I was also worried about getting the bad cramping etc I had back in high school but my doc said many people grow out of that and she was right
- SUPER POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
- My mood is way more balance 🙂
- Natural cycles does take some communication and teamwork between you and your partner (sometimes it’s not fun to be the fertility police per say) but I learned so much about my body and my cycle and we had no major scares while using it as birth control for about 2 years. And then you can switch to “planning” mode if you no longer want to use it as birth control when you’re ready and let’s just say it was very quick – but I think that’s because you then have a data backed approach to what’s going on. One more thing – because I’m clearly obsessed with natural cycles as I mentioned ha – flo had a data breach which is another reason why I’m okay with spending around $100 a year for privacy and security.
- Have felt wayyyy better!!
- I had some acne but also from stress and I spot for like 5 days before I get my period but I got blood tests and stuff and everything was “normal” so it’s just on me to make sure I eat well and manage my stress with exercise etc. But otherwise I like not having anything frigging with me. The clear skin I do miss but it’s way better in summer anyway. Food is fuel for balancing hormones I’ve learned
- You’ll feel so much better!!!!
- 10000% look into the copper iud! no hormones but also no baby lol
- The reason i got off twice was because it was so bad the first time my face and body was so bad so had enough and got back on and went to the dermatologist and got some topical medicine to use and got back off and then its been way better this time but she bad!
- I got off it last summer! Barely noticed, only positive things!
- Babies! 😉
- 1000% I’m obsessed
- Magnesium, b complex can help with the transition
- I’ve always taken breaks and been off awhile. Everyones hormones are different, try it and see!
- I just went off 2 months ago… my first period was wonky but I feel much better in general now
- I went off BC ~6years ago & ended up with temp. hypothyroidism for 1 year. After that my hormones self regulated and its been the best decision! ….. [ how are you feeling now?] Completely fine!! BC completely threw off my hormones and I actually went a full year without getting my period, then when I went to the doc she said my thyroid was completely out of wack, so they put me on a low dose of Synthroid and then after a year my doc took me off of the meds just to see if it balanced out and it did Now I am super regular – I track using an app and I was never regular before even while I was on BC
- Stopped bc after 15 years gave me a boost to my libido and my cycle stayed regular!
- Haven’t been on it in years, feel so much better off it! No side effects!
- I went off the pill and felt a lot better emotionally… my boobs did shrink almost two sizes though
- When you stop any medication you will have some side effects but it will never screw you up forever!!
- Go slow. Ween off. Take DIM to help with hormone balancing & breakouts. Give your body time to adjust!
- Me: should I prep before? Her: Yes definitely! I always say prep 1-2 months pre coming off with supplementing nutrients depleted on the pill, using some herbs for liver support, and working on optimizing your gut microbiome so that you have the best chance of an easy transition
In the Flo is a great book!!!
Read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and use a basal body thermometer!
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