Made a big decision last night

Leigha12 · October 2010

After more than 11 years, I'm going off BCP. Here's how the talk went:

Me: I've been toying with the notion of going off birth control.

DH: So does that mean we're trying for a baby now?

Me: Not yet, that's why I needed to talk to you first...

DH: (cuts me off) Oh, so I'll need to go on it. Got it.

I'm kind of curious how my body will react. I'm hoping my face will clear up like it was before I went on the pill, but I'm scared all the bad stuff will be back, too. We're going to give it three months (if I can handle it) and see how it goes. This will definitely be interesting.

For those of you who went off it, either TTC or for other reasons, what was your body's response?

ETA: 11 years, not 12. I can't count.

hawkilady · October 2010

Just to warn you - it may take more than 3 months to get back to "normal". A friend of mine has been off for almost 6 months now and has had 2 periods. It's a little tough on her since she is TTC.

Personally, I had no issues, but my cycle has always been pretty much exactly 28 days and it stayed the same on or off birth control. However, since going off the pill at the end of January, I havent had a single migraine (was getting them monthly), have been way less moody and had more energy (well before I got pregnant anyway) and maybe TMI, my sex drive increased dramatically (it was pretty much non-existant toward the end on the pill and again that was before getting pregnant).

Leigha12 · October 2010

I've recently started getting excruciating headaches that time of the month, too. Honestly, it's this current 3 day headache that was the final push for me. I'm hoping for the increased sex drive, too. (okay, we both are) It's been nearly non-existent for years thanks to the pill. Since we have a little more time before TTC, I'm hoping to enjoy it. Before the pill, though, I had a 24 day cycle, 9 on, 15 off. Life was not fun.

Junebug060609 · October 2010

It can take up to a year for your body to adjust, so the three months might not be enough to know how you'll do.

When I went off my periods were pretty much predictable right off the bat (they were before the pill too). There were a couple of times in the first 4 or so months that I was a few days early or late, but its been dead-on predictable since then. PMS symptoms are a little more pronounced, but not bad. I never had skin issues, so I can't speak to that. One other thing I've noticed is that my...um...drive is back. I hadn't realized the effect BCP had on that.

I'd really recommend you read TCOYF if you haven't already. Whether you decied to TTC or TTA, its full of good info.

Philly6*6*09 · October 2010

I've been off the pill for over a year (since 8/09).

My face broke out a little bit at first, and I did notice weight gain (may or may not be from bc).

Periods were somewhat predictable; usually within 4-5 days of when it was due. I use an app on my phone that helps me to predict when my period will come.

My one big complaint though, is I get cramps now. I've always been one of those lucky people who never had cramps....and now I get them. I woke up Sunday night @ 3 am to cramps...ugh.

Leigha12 · October 2010

Philly, funny, I was just looking into an app for that! The droid one isn't free, so I'll probably get one on my iTouch instead. The cramps are what I'm afraid of. They were uncontrollable before BCP. No amount of pain killers or muscle relaxers helped. Remember the wedding scene in 16 Candles? I had a couple nights like that, but I was still in pain! I actually fell in love with DH the night he stayed up all night reheating a wet towel to lay on my stomach in the dorms. I might need to invest in a heating pad for this to possibly work! As for my face, I never had, ahem, blemishes until I got on the pill. So I'm hoping it will actually clear up without the extra hormones in my system.

JB, I'll see if my local library has a copy of that book to check out. I never thought about it for TTA purposes.

Philly6*6*09 · October 2010

Leigha12:

Philly, funny, I was just looking into an app for that! The droid one isn't free, so I'll probably get one on my iTouch instead.

When I had my droid, I used an app called "My Days", and it was free. I can see the developer infor when I get home. I think there was a free and a paid one.

I switched to BB...and I can't find crap. (But I'm still diggin the BB ).

Leigha12 · October 2010

Thanks! I hadn't found that one on my own, just one with a 1 month free trial. What good is one month!? I just installed it and will check it out at lunch.

SBS0628 · October 2010

Leigha, keep updating us on it (or send me messages on FB). I'm curious to know how you fare. I've been on the pill for almost ten years and I would like to go off it soon, but I'm nervous about it. I think I might order TCOYF to read first. I've also head What to Expect BEFORE You're Expecting has good information, but is more geared towards those TTC.

For my MFA applications, I'm working on a full-length play about motherhood, so I can always say the books are "research" for that? Wink

mbd62709 · October 2010

Congrats on the decision Leigha. Here was my experience. I was on the pill for 15 years. Went off BCP in June, got period in July right on schedule, like pp's my cycle was pretty regular before BCP and stayed the same after (28 days). Then found out I was pregnant in August. What I did notice being off the pill was cramps were bad, my sex drive did increase, headaches decreased significantly (I used to get them daily), and my moods did not sway from one extreme to the other.

penaltyshot · October 2010

I actually just quit BCP too in September (also not trying to get pregnant). I've been on it for 8 years and am hoping that it'll help my sex drive. I switched from Mircette to Lo-estrin earlier this year with terrible results (no increase in drive and I was missing a period every other month). My dr. wanted to move me to Yaz, but I was nervous of that one since I'd heard bad things about it, so I just quit alltogether.

Since then, I've gotten two periods (26 days apart, was 29 before) and sex drive is a bit better, but not awesome. I haven't noticed a change in weight (I've gained 10 lbs since the wedding and not managed to get them gone and keep them gone), but I've only had a few pimples lately. Anyway, I hope it helps you out!

mrscdobs · October 2010

Period-wise, I had absolutely no issues - my cycles are VERY regular... and the cramps were a little more intense, but that was fine.

However, I gained a lot of weight and my skin was horrible when I first came off of it. I gained a lot of weight rapidly and it's hard to come off. My skin gets REALLY bad during certain days of my cycle - that painful, cystic acne - but I am being more vigilant about keeping it clean and medicated, so it's actually much more under control now.

Agreed with whoever said it takes more than 3 months - It took a good 6 months for me to feel "normal" - sex drive increasing, etc.

Leigha12 · October 2010

Thanks everyone. The 3 month time-frame is to determine if the cramps are unbearable. If they are in the first 3 months, I doubt it will get better considering how they were pre-BCP. I always swore I was going to stay on BCP until the day we started TTC, so this is a huge 180 for me. But the cramping will remain the biggest issue for me.

angelfire0412 · October 2010

That's exciting news! I'm kinda jealous you're going to be off of it. I absolutely HATE pumping those damn chemicals into my body every night. Bleck. I am pretty sure I was a lot less psychotic when I wasn't on BCP. Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you!

Junebug060609 · October 2010

TCOYF definitely has references for how to use the knowledge you gain from observations/charting to TTA. I think you'll find it useful both now and down the road.

I also noticed a pp was on the same pill I was, Mircette. Not one I've known many people to be on, so neat to see I'm not the only one who got put on it.

kackle02 · October 2010

I too just went off BCP after 10 years on it. I went off in August and haven't had a period since. I have heard from other women that that was normal for them. Apart from that, I haven't really noticed any other changes in the past 2 months.

Made a big decision last night

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