[MissManda86]

Hi guys!

Well I have posted on here before about stopping the birth control pill. In a nutshell, I have been taking Brenda 35 ED (and variations of it Juliet / Estelle etc) for the past 13 years.

I went on it at the tender age of 14 for acne and period pain. Now my body is starting to shows cracks in it, and I think enough is enough. Time for the pill to stop.

My partner and I are looking to start TTC in September this year, but not putting any pressure on it. If it happens, it happens. But I want to help it if I can

So I went to see Lucy at the Melbourne Natural Fertility Clinic and she gave me a session of acupuncture (amazing, everyone needs to try this!) and also put me on a practitioner grade multi vitamin (pre conception)

My question is, what should I expect right now? Ive never stopped taking the pill so I don't know what Im going to feel like etc. Am I just going to be feeling hideous in about a week from now? One day am I just going to wake up and feel like rubbish? Or is it more subtle changes?

I will definitely keep up with the vitamins and acupuncture too BTW

Thanks!!

x

[Iliketoflounce]

I was never on the pill but I know somethings from others here

First you must wait for AF you will get a withdrawal bleed. If you don't get AF go to the DR it may need help to come. there are buddy groups etc.

[Bluenomi]

You'll probably feel the same until your first real period comes. Then based on my experience of having a real period after being on the pill for years you'll feel like crap with massive bloating, heavy bleeding and masses of pain for a few days Of course my periods were like that before I went on the pill so it was my body returning to normal! Oh and I found I got lots of pimples once I stopped

[WhimsicalDragonf...]

I've had a few breaks from Brenda/Diane over the years, like you OP, I'd been on it since my teens. I found during those short breaks I felt horrible (moody with break outs!) and went back on it pretty quickly! When I stopped taking it before we TTC I don't remember feeling quite as bad. This may have been due to the excitement of TTC. I've vowed never to go back on the pill again!! It may be tough for a little while, but I found once I persevered through a few yucky weeks, I felt a lot better. Good luck with everything!
ETA - From memory first AF off the pill arrived on time, and was reasonably consistent after that (shortest cycle 27 days; longest was 34 days, but generally 30 days each cycle), and no heavier or painful than usual. I know not everyone is this lucky, but thought I'd mention it to give you hope that it may be not be too bad

This post has been edited by WhimsicalDragonfly: 13/02/2013, 10:42 AM

[pixii]

Hi OP, I found nothing was different when I went off the pill at the beginning of sept 2012. Got my AF in sept when it was due and my cycles were pretty regular give or take a few days. eg 30,31, and 35. November I got pregnant. That is one thing I have noticed has happened for a few people going off the pill they conceived quickly so look out! LOL

Unfortunately I MC that pregnancy but it was good I got pregnant so quickly at my age. FYI it was my first pregnancy too

[Pippa26]

That is one thing I have noticed has happened for a few people going off the pill they conceived quickly so look out! LOL

I wish this happened with me
I think everyone has individual reactions, you dont know until you try

[aimeeym]

I ovulated naturally 1st cycle off the pill....also lots of years spent on the pill. I also had super crampy, painful AF. Bad news if for me it has stayed quite painful and ++bloating off the pill for about the last 18 months.

It is really nice though to feel what my body wants to do naturally and as a result the gift that'll bring a little life into the world.

PS I am much more irregular as a 30 year old off the pill than i ever was in my teens. Is this the same for others?

[NSG]

Iwent off BCP 12 months ago after 16 years. My cycles varied between 7 and 10 weeks and I got very greasy skin and hair. My skin and hair is now back to normal (it took about 4 months) but I needed help to ovulate and get a regular cycle (now 31 days) as per my sig. Good luck to you!

[PrincessPeach]

For me I found that I actually lost 2kg in weight & my pimples cleared up.

However my painful periods returned & i still get nauseated near ovulation time, which is exactly why I went on birth control in the first place.

As for regularity, they never were too regular anyway, so they have gone back to being the same as always.

[Justaduck]

I started the pill at 13 for PCOS. Came off it when I was 22 & not TTC. I think it took 6 or 7 weeks for AF to return and I had perfect 35 day cycles.
DD was conceived 10mths later and we were not actively TTC & would use protection sometimes.

Oh yeah the cramps those first few months were horrendous & I felt ill