Sex & Romance
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Birth Control Question

I have been on b/c since 2002.  The main reason I went on it was to prevent pregnancy..the lighter periods, little to no cramps, and on time schedule was just a huge bonus!  What I wasn't expecting, were some 'symptoms' going on now...NO sex drive, very moody/depressed/emotional etc..

 My question is, if I want to just stop taking it for a while do I have to/should I go see my doctor? 

 I mean, we have condoms, and are now married so if I get pregnant I get pregnant, I just want to want sex again, and I don't want to rip my hubbys head off around that time!

 

 

Re: Birth Control Question

  • ummm....i'm not sure why this is really even a question. but, no, you don't have to go see a dr. why would you? people stop taking their BCP all the time, myself included. what would a dr be able to do/say? maybe someone else feels differently though.

     you're probably going to experience irregular periods until your body regulates again. so don't go bother the GP board when you feel you are late the month after you stop taking BCP until you have actually taken a test that confirms a pregnancy.

  • Unless you are actively trying to get pregnant, or hoping to suprise your H with an oopsie baby, you should talk to your doctor about finding something that works for you.
  • You might try talking to your DR and let them know that you are having these symptoms.  When I was on BC I had symptoms of headaches (migraines) right before I started.  So I talked to my DR and she changed my pills to one that cut down on the headaches and the severity. When I went off them I was down to having no headaches at all. 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyName Ticker
  • It was a question because I wasn't sure, and I thought maybe someone here was going through the same thing.  I didn't know what a Dr would say or do, and I didn't want to have to make an appointment and go in there for them to say go ahead and go off.  Aren't these boards supposed to be helpful to people who need help with anything?

     

    I was just wondering...no need to be a cow about it.

  • Thank you Soonergrinks, and Motzie for actually offering suggestions/advice..Smile
  • imagecarla021:
    Thank you Soonergrinks, and Motzie for actually offering suggestions/advice..Smile

    Oh man.....I thought that other message was directed at me.  I said to myself....I wasn't being a cow I was just suggesting. 

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  • you asked if you needed to see a dr to stop taking the pill. you didn't say, or imply, that you wanted to be on something different. the other girls have suggested going on to something different to relieve the symptoms. you sound like you already made your mind up to go off the pill and see what happens. i still don't get where you imply that you want another pill to see if it relieves the symptoms.
  • I had similiar symptoms w/ BC-- no sex drive and when we DID have sex I couldn't stay wet, making it painful for me and frustrating for H. After a few more side effects came along, I decided to go off of mine- I told my Dr. about it and she just changed my pill, which made my side effects worse, so I quit taking it all together. I have only been off of it for about a week now... and I've done a complete 180. I DO want to talk to a Dr. about what else I could try (right now I'm considering FAM), but not necessarily the one I have been seeing because she wasn't very concerned about my symptoms and just wanted to up the MG of the hormones.

    That being said, its up to you. I would think a Dr. would try to convince you to stay on some form of hormonal BC... but that is your decision to make when its all said and done. Hope things start looking up for you :)

  • I can't take the pill.  Every one I've tried gave me horrible side effects.

    I chart and we use spermicide.  But we too are in that stage of life where we are ready for a baby, not actively trying, but if it happens it happens.  We might start trying soon but I always say "We are not trying, but we are not trying very hard to NOT get pregnant" lol.

  • If you're in a "if it happens, it happens" stage, then IMO you should at minimum be taking prenatal vitamins and talk to your doctor about it. Have you been screened for potential genetic issues regarding pregnancy?
  • I use progesterone only and the side effects are less. You have to take it everyday though.
  • I actually just went off birth control for similar reasons. I did not go to see my doctor when I wanted to go off of them, but after four months of not having a period I went in to see him (after taking over the counter preg. tests).

    According to my doctor, it is okay to go off the pill, but just know that your schedule is going to be very irregular. It is a good thing to cleanse your body! He said that it is normal for some people to not have a period for up to a year after going off the pill. That being said, and you obviously know this...since you are not on a regular schedule be sure to use other forms of protection!

    Speaking from someone that is in your same boat, it is okay to do without going to the doctor, unless you want some advice. Again, if you don't get a period for a few months, do not be alarmed (I would still check it out, but it is common) :)

    Hope that helps a bit!

  • God, I hate birth control! In my experience every single hormonal type of birth control I've tried (okay, it's just about 7 different pills and the Nuva Ring) killed my libido. I don't think that side effect will change if you try some other pill.

    I went off the pill last year and didn't consult a doctor about it. I think you should just finish out your pill pack though, and then not re-start when the end of the last week comes around. I have the feeling that stopping the pill mid-cycle might mess up your hormone levels.

    I got my period 6 weeks after stopping the pill and it was pretty regular after that. The one thing I was not prepared for was acne though--I had bad skin for like a whole year. I recently went back on the pill (sadly) because we aren't ready for a baby yet and I was not good at using condoms or practicing NFP. Good luck! You don't need a doctor's approval to get off the pill. 

    Update: I mean, in MY experience you don't need a doctor's approval to get off the pill. Of course you're entitled to go, but I try to avoid unnecessary doctor's visits and I was just fine.

  • You should consider natural family planning. It is absolutely NOT the rhythm method and it is very effective. There are several different methods out there and there are ways to start NFP when you go off the pill. Some good sites to look into are things like the couple to couple league (I think it is ccli.org). It can be as effective as the pill without filling your body with chemicals and artificial hormones.
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