Stopping Birth Control

[flyerso6]

For those who had been on birth control and stopped, what side effects did you experience when you stopped.

I took my last pill 6 weeks ago, my period has not came back yet (had the normal "pill period" the week i should have after stopping, but not my real one). I feel great in general and so glad I stopped, but last 2 days I had really light brown spotting (TMI i know i am sorry) and none today. When I first saw it I thought I was starting my period, but it never came.Did anyone else experience this after stopping bc?

[Brian's Bride]

I think your body is just trying to get back to normal, so I wouldn't worry about the spotting. I'm sure it's going to be spotty at times, and maybe you'll also get your regular flow in two more weeks... but that's a good sign that you're feeling great!

[ktmb34]

i don't know :( sorry. all i know is i started bc this last march and its messing me up. i'm 22 and have never been on bc. i wish i could come off but we don't want babies yet.

[flyerso6]

I wish I would have never started it. It was great the first couple years, but the past year and a half I had been haveing problems with it, I switched to a different kind only to have different problems. I feel amazing without it but just wish things would return to normal. I dont ever plan on taking it again!!

[ktmb34]

i can't WAIT to get married so i can get off of it. i hate being on it. it makes me so tired and lazy. people keep telling me to ask to switch, but like you said, i'm sure it will just be a slew of new problems... ugh. i have always hated the idea of putting hormones in your body...

[WBandMe]

I started it when I was 17 for medical reasons, quit around 19 and got back on it at 20 and have been stuck in it since. I HATE being on it...it was okay the first time, but since I've gotten back on it I've tried all different kinds and had all different troubles. I can't wait to get off it but I'm afraid I'm stuck for a few years. I do plan on stopping it in January until May or so, and I'm thrilled to pieces but nervous it will mess me up and I won't know when to expect my period and stuff... so here's a second request for info on this from anyone who has done it.

[NurseLau84]

I started it when I was 17 for medical reasons, quit around 19 and got back on it at 20 and have been stuck in it since. I HATE being on it...it was okay the first time, but since I've gotten back on it I've tried all different kinds and had all different troubles. I can't wait to get off it but I'm afraid I'm stuck for a few years. I do plan on stopping it in January until May or so, and I'm thrilled to pieces but nervous it will mess me up and I won't know when to expect my period and stuff... so here's a second request for info on this from anyone who has done it.

What's the main problem you're having on the pill? If you decide to go off of it, it may take a month or two before your periods become regular. But, everyone is different.

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

I was on the pill for years and stopped taking them 2 1/2 years ago. My period came very quickly after stopping them, and my body has been on a normal 28-30 day cycle ever since! I would visit your doctor just to be on the safe side!

[acidcookie]

I agree that your body is probably just needing to adjust.

But for those who hate being on the pill and have all the side effects, I know trying different brands can seem like a hassle, but I would really talk to the doctor because there are SO many kinds. I mean, everyone's different and the pill will affect everyone differently. But I don't feel any different on than off the pill because I think I have a good kind for me. But I have gone through a few different ones some of which I was less happy with. I described exactly what was going on and my Dr. was able to find one she thought would be better for me. She seriously pulled out a whole small BOOK of different kinds so there may be something better! Talk to the Dr. in detail about its side effects and you may very well find something.

[flyerso6]

I didnt hate being on the pill. It was great for a while, I was actually on the patch and swtiched to the pill due to break through bleeding about 6 months ago, and just completly stopped in September. I just wanted to know what others have went through when they stopped. It will be 7 weeks on friday, still no period.

[NurseLau84]

I didnt hate being on the pill. It was great for a while, I was actually on the patch and swtiched to the pill due to break through bleeding about 6 months ago, and just completly stopped in September. I just wanted to know what others have went through when they stopped. It will be 7 weeks on friday, still no period.

Seven WEEKS?! Get a pregnancy test stat!! (Not meant to scare you, but 7 weeks is a long stretch to go w/o a period.)

[WBandMe]

Eh, I wouldn't worry about the seven weeks. I've always been super irregular when not on the pill and last time I got off it, it took me awhile to have a period. It couldn't hurt to take a test, I suppose, but it's not unheard of to go that long.

[NurseLau84]

It's not unheard of, but it's definitely not the "norm." I would test simply for the reason that if you are pg, you need to get on prenatals immediately. Better safe than sorry.

[flyerso6]

Well I took a test, it was negative. We just started ttc so I was a little bummed but Im over it. I just wish my cycle would get normal because it is so frustrating going 5 years knowing exactly when I was going to start my period and end it. Now every day Im like is it going to happen yet. I was a little irregular before I started birth control so Im sure that isnt helping much either. Its also frustrating for ttc, because I don't know where Im at in my cycle. But Ive been thinking about it and decided its not worth stressing over at the momment and evntullay it will work out. But decided the best thing to do for the momment is to start taking folic acid and not stress.

I would still like to hear any one else post birth control experiences if anyone has any.

[NurseLau84]

Good idea on the folic acid! Wishing you luck.

[Blusher]

I had the brown spotting when I stopped my pill back in April. it was like brown mucus (TMI, sorry). and then it was like a week or two before I had a real period. After that they were pretty normal i guess, (but I only had two periods before getting pregnant...so I can't really say for sure how normal they really were...). I felt so much better when I stopped. I lost some weight and had more energy....but again, I dunno if that lasts because i got preg....and now I'm back to being fat, tired and lazy lol

[WBandMe]

I had the brown spotting when I stopped my pill back in April. it was like brown mucus (TMI, sorry). and then it was like a week or two before I had a real period. After that they were pretty normal i guess, (but I only had two periods before getting pregnant...so I can't really say for sure how normal they really were...). I felt so much better when I stopped. I lost some weight and had more energy....but again, I dunno if that lasts because i got preg....and now I'm back to being fat, tired and lazy lol

What pill were you on, out of curiosity?

[flyerso6]

I was on the patch (ortho evra) for 4 years and like 8 months, it was causing some serious break through bleeding problems. I swtiched to the generic of LoEstrin 21 which is microgestin (sp?).

I went from a high dose (patch) to a very low dose pill. I thought it was strange the high dose was causing so much break through bleeding, I was always under the immpresion that break thruogh bleeding was caused by too low of a dose. Plus i went 4 years and some months with no probs at all then all of a sudden bleeding. I was concerned and my dr acted like it was no big deal at all. The lower dose pill stopped the bleeding and my periods were extremely light. I eventually decided to stop just due to no libido. Then we decided to ttc as well.

[Blusher]

What pill were you on, out of curiosity?

was on Diane 35 for 2 years, then Tri-cyclin afterwards