Been on birth control for 14 years, just stopping it now. What’s it like?
Edit: I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s responses and I’m excited (nervous) for this new journey!
When you stopped birth control, what did you notice?
r/AskWomen
Been on birth control for 14 years, just stopping it now. What’s it like?
Edit: I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s responses and I’m excited (nervous) for this new journey!
Comments
How much better I felt. My libido picked up and my vaginal health improved.
Anxious
My mental health and libido almost instantly improved!
Bleeding like crazy, literally couldn’t leave the house on my period—basically my period went back to my abnormal “normal”. I’m not stopping again!
A LOT of things – my libido increased significantly which is both good and bad. Good in the sense that it exists, not great in the sense that its return is making me really start to question my sexuality.
I also just ~ feel ~ things a lot more. I feel like the birth control put a damper on my emotions. But my hyperactivity is also undampered and my focus will fluctuate greatly depending on where I’m at in a cycle.
Pros and cons, but despite the major changes, I feel like it’s mostly positive.
Some very weird things. I could “hear” music again, meaning I could experience it emotionally. My creative ideas returned (writing, songs, etc.). The weirdest, though… other women started being really mean to me again. Not sure of the science behind that, but it must be a pheromone thing. One nice thing… I lost 30 lbs.
Biggest change for me was mentally . I felt like the brain fog was gone. I became PAINFULLY self aware of every little thing and it actually was giving me anxiety lol.
It felt like a fog was lifted and I could finally see in colours again. My mood improved, I finally experienced emotions again. The downsides? My cycle took a while to regulate itself again and I got a few akne spots for the first few months, but they disappeared about 6 months in. I would never go back again
I’ll let you know in a few months. Getting the implant taken out at the end of July, that thing has me feeling crazy. It’s been causing some mood swings and bouts of depression. The first 6-7 months felt pretty good but then something changed for me.
I lost weight, my mood improved, my skin got really bad, but then really improved are a few months.. My emotional well-being and stability significantly improved… The pill ruined my mental and physical health, and I’m very happy to be off the pill for good!!
My cycle became erratic for a few months – some months was only a couple weeks apart, and lasted 10 days, when it would normally be just 3. Also had a higher sex drive
The migraines I’d been having for years just… disappeared. Doctor never mentioned headaches could be a side effect. Had been popping painkillers like candy for no reason.
My depression disappeared within the first month. My anxiety calmed way down. My libido shot back up. I was happier and had more energy.
I just had a hormonal IUD reinserted because even after not wanting biological children my whole life and asking for a tubal for over 12 years, I can’t find a doctor willing to perform the procedure on a healthy, premenopausal woman. It really sucks.
Thank you for asking this, i’ve been considering having my implant taken out recently, i’ve been on it for 9 years and other forms of BC for another 14 before that. I just want to feel what its like without ‘extra’ hormones in my body before i go through menopause.
[removed]
To say I use to cry everyday for no reason wouldn’t be far off the truth and now I can go months without crying
That my periods were again very painful.
I legitimately felt like I was waking up from a dream and that’s not an exaggeration. I felt like I went from this numbness that I didn’t even realize I’d been feeling to clarity. I was on the pill for 8yrs and I went off cold turkey 3 years ago. Yes, I get my regular cycle now. But, I feel indescribably better. Added bonus, I actually want to have sex with my husband now. Idk if this would be the experience for everyone-but I’m literally never going back personally.
I wasnt as anxious as I was using the pills. My mood became better too.
10 years on the pill, stopped to conceive, now I have a toddler and never went back on bc.
No more cystic acne (I’d get one or two of those deep, painful cystic bastards right before my period every damn month)
Cramps are more intense now
I’m EXHAUSTED for the week leading up to my period. Like, it feels like the first trimester of pregnancy, i feel like a zombie
Hornier than I’ve ever been!!!! I also get way more bloated and crampy. Skin was so bad, I went on Trentonoin and Clyndamyocin and it’s perfect tho! Don’t think I’d ever go back on it. I actually want to have sex now
I noticed that I got pregnant within 2 months 😆
I felt less angry, less crazy, less emotional overall.
The libido change was ridiculous. It was like a 180.
I used to itch all the time. Just randomly. Since stopping BC, it is completely gone. Makes me wonder if I was allergic to the stuff or something.
Overall, just don’t miss it.
My face got oily.
But, my mental health is a lot better.
My weight fell off and my libido went full speed ahead. And the orgasm after stopping the pill was easier and made my brain melt and toes curl.
I’m never going back on hormonal contraception again. Just makes me fat and not want sex.
My hair stopped falling out in huge clumps, and my blood pressure went down.