Going off Birth Control!

so! i'm thinking and wanting to go off my birth control, but i wanted to know the effects it has-just like how there were effects your body went through when going on, people've experienced. any help? advice? tips from going on in the first place?

hmmm personally i love birth control...unless you're a smoker the benefits really outweigh the costs...it regulates your hormones, it's cancer preventitive, it helps prevent osteoperosis

i'm a long distance runner so this is a really big concern for me...my doctor put me on the pill because my weight always gets really low...so to make sure i keep my hormones in check, don't run the risk of infertility, and dont hurt my bones she put me on the pill.  she told me that a common misconception is weight gain b/c most young woman go on the pill at an age when they naturally gain weight anyway. 

my mom is an obstetrician and she always tells me that the pill is really more beneficial for women than problematic....maybe try going on a low dose estrogen pill?

The only prob I had was ovarian cysts...they went away though...

i thought it over and i think i'm gonna try going off of birth control, for a while. does anyone know how soon effects in my body take place or what they are? like fluctuations, mood swings, etc...

Oh yes, mood swings...I do remember that occuring pretty soon after I stopped.  No biggie though, you'll get through it.  I personally am so happy I went off them...it's one less pill to worry about taking and my body feels like it's natural self. 

when I stopped using hormonal birth control I didn't have mood swings, but I did feel slightly happier.  I think the hormones in birth control made me just a little depressed. 

Also, my sexual desire increased alot after I went off the pill.  I have heard that the hormones in birth control can reduce sexual desire, but I didn't notice it until I stopped taking it.  

I haven't used birth control in about two years (after using it for about 2-3 years) and I love it!  I don't think I'll ever use hormonal contraception again.  But, I'm also the type that doesn't like taking medication at all.

I hope your decision works well for your body.

My advice would be to get off birth control as quick as you can.  Many girls do not know the various risks associated with the pill.  As a certified pharmacy technician, and a 21 girl who has been on the pill for the past 7 years... I can tell you from personal experience that oral contraceptives have major risks.  Three months ago, I was hospitalized with multiple (4+) blood clots.  These were due to the birth control.  It may seem rare, but I can tell you that it is much more common than you think.  You should research it if you plan to stay on birth control.  Oh, and birth control does not help prevent cancer.  There have actually been studies linking it to breast cancer.   

jeeze!!! thanks SO much!!! alot of the time it feels like theres a curtain not being pulled up for me to see whats going on behind the stage...thanks for that info!!!!

pharmacy technician....

not doctor

the pill is more beneficial ....it's better to take the pill than not. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. the only real side effects occur if your a smoker.  the pill is just estrogen and testosterone that your body NATURALLY makes...and it regulates the levels! it's more likely you have moodswings while OFF the pill!

I'm not a doctor just an ex-pill user (lol). Yes Yes, I only tried one brand but it gave me horrible mood swings and caused me to have low sex drive. The pill is not natural, I don't know where people get that information--maybe you could post a link? Your body is supposed to make it's own hormones. And no the only real side effect does not just occur in smokers--again post a source if your going to say that please, i say that in all kindness.

The pill have messed up my body and I know several women where the pill is great for them and several who it's not, I really think it's a 50/50 chance a person takes and a personal choice of course ...Resources say it can take a year or more for your body to get back on track after the pill, and hopefully be monitored by your doctor. My body is still trying to regulate itself.

Here is a link, it's a resource, and tells good information on natural birth control options besides  hormones

http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/

You're right, I am not a doctor... just a CERTIFIED Pharmacy Technician.  But, I work with medications on a daily basis, and my information comes from pharmacists who have dedicated their lives to knowing everything about drugs.  Most Pharmacists know much more about drugs than do Doctors.  I can't tell you how many times Doctors call the pharmacy to ask the Pharmacist questions.

I am not pretending to know it all.  I am mainly talking from personal experience.  I would not want anyone to go through what I have gone through in the last few months. 

I am living proof that side effects do not only happen to smokers.  I am and always have been athletic, healthy, and I have NEVER SMOKED.  I did not have any history of blood clotting in my family, nor had I just had surgery or any other injury.  My blood clots were caused purely from the birth control.  How's that for statistics.

I'm not saying that no girl should ever be on birth control, under any circumstance.  I am saying that if you choose to go down that road... you should be aware of the risks.  Every girl who is on a hormonal birth control should be informed (or do the research herself) of the warnings/symptoms of a blood clot, because it IS very possible. 

My mom is an OBGYN....and most of her collegues would agree that the pill is beneficial.....obviously pharmacists know a lot about drugs....but the thing is that doctors know you on a personal basis. you need to see your doctor to know if the pill is the right thing for you.

she put me on the pill because i am a long distance runner...if you are active and a woman you run the risk of lower bone density.  the pill helps increase bone density and prevent osteoperosis.  also it helps prevent many types of cancer.  another important factor is if you are underweight.....they help regulate your hormones so that you don't lose your period and run the risk of being infertile (which is high risk for me b/c my bmi is only 18. something)

as well.....

I've gone off BC a few times and the effects have been the same but temporary. I always gain weight after I come off, but after a few months that subsides. My skin tends to become a bit oily and break out more frequently, but again, that is only for a short period of time. My periods aren't as light or short as when I was on the BCP, but they aren't anywhere near as heavy as they were before I initially started on the pill. I feel better being off the pill -- even though I know it does have it's positive side effects, I feel better when I'm not on it -- mentally. 

Sexysadie09: You said you've gained coming off the pill before?  I came off my BC three months ago and in this time have gained 10lbs.  I'm not eating more, but I just keep gaining despite diet and exercise.  It's so discouraging and I would appreciate hearing your experience.

I also haven't had a period in this time and my doctor recently perscribed me protestergeon (sp) to make it come back.

i'm starting to have some weight gain too! what's going on? does it last? you'd think the "weight gain" from going ON the pill would be coming off....pleeeasse tell me theres an end to this...lol but dont lie. and if this is what happens coming off the pill and i decided to go back on (for other reasons) would i gain MORE weight AGAIN?

Honestly, it's been a nightmare 3 months for me.  I don't recognize my body and feel like I have no control, no appetite, and losing some self esteem.  I really don't say that to scare you and doubt the same will happen to you, but would definitely hope others could share their experiences!

i'm glad to hear how that turned out for you! that's what this start's been like for me, and i only plan on trying this out-its great having  an insurance of being able to go back on it-but i'm afraid of feeling all that crudiness of starting again =(  what a delema...i dont know what's going to help and hurt me most, last or work the best...!

I just found this site.and im in a state of panic..Im 42 years old and have 2 kids.I decided after my divorce to go on the pill.I was very reluctant because i had remembered it wasnt good for me back in the day,but couldnt remember why..Well now I no! I had a horrible 3 months when i started yaz.Bleeding ,horrible cramping ,mood crazy,but was told to hang in there.I did and all was well..I didnt however no it was filled with hormones(my bad).after 7 months I lost sex drive completly ,and moods were all over the place and I was so depressed.I went off it when I was told my testosterone was so low and had hardly any progesterone.I also have a thyroid prob so I wasnt sure what was happening.I had a compound pharmacy make me up 1%test and 2%progest.I felt better in a half hour.no kidding!! sex drive back like CRAZY and no more panic attacks at night,BUT now 12 days in my boobs are so swollen and are killing me .my muscles are hurting and im tired all the time...again.I called to pharmacy and she said it was because of coming off the pill....omg your kidding.like all you im miserable already and just started feeling better.fast! my question that i didnt see any of you answer was breast tenderness,and yes im gaining weight fast with no app.I also did a very dumb thing and had sex(unprotected with boyfriend)after being off pill for 8 days,and on progesterone.Im panicked I could be preg.cause all symptoms are the same.Just want to no like all you is there breast tenderness and mood swings and everything i went through to get on this pill from hell.BTW if you have loss of sex drive...testosterone (natural ONLY) fix's this in an hour..hense my stupid jumping my guy with no protection.anyone have anything on breast tenderness and could I even be pregnant with symptoms when it was just saturday.any thing back would be great.Just reading all yours have made me know getting off anything synthetic is bad! for me at least.Natural is the way to go...Thanks,and help

When I went on birth control I gained a little bit of weight (mostly water) and some body fat (mostly b/c my bodyfat was 10% and it was trying to get me ready to have a baby, plus the pill causes the release of cortisol which breaks down muscle). Because of the slight gain/water weight I didnt feel comfortable in my own skin and was limiting what I was eating etc and I was crazy about exercise. This, or the pill, caused me to be tired and moody. I would cry for no reason. By the end of 5 months I could not be on it anymore. I just went off and its been less than a week and I feel like myself again. My sex drive is slowly coming back and my self-confidence is waaaaaay up since the water fat I had gained is gone. I feel happier and have more energy and I'm not as concerned about food and my weight anymore.