Coming off birth control...

I am 25 just came off birth control for the first time, after taking them for 9 years. I took the first week of my new pack, then my husband said I could come off of them. I stopped taking them after the first week. I have been off of them now for 2 weeks. Is it normal to be tired after stopping the pill?? I feel like I have no energy.

I only took the pill for two months, and I was wondering if coming off them, even though i was only taking them fro that amount of time, can affect my period, because i haven't gotten it yet. it's 7 days late, and I read somehwere that if you chnage your birth control methods, that could be an affect. Could this be why? I'm really hoping it is.

I stopped taking birth control pills - lo dose after 15 years. I have gained weight now, coming off the pill, never while on the pill. A friend said that some women my age early 30's experience a kind of adolescent weight gain when they stop taking the pill. Has this been anyone's experience?

all I know is I have just started taking BC about a week ago, and I have already gained weight, not to mention I have terrible mood swings and darkening of the skin....I am already thinking of coming off them! Uggh! I am 32 and have never taken them in my life, but I have had irregular periods for a little while now, so the hope was for the BC to help.

Hi, i have stopped taking dianette pill after being on it about 5 years, i have definitely gained weight, about half a stone in a few weeks, i regularly go to the gym and eat reasonably healthily and i even started a slimming class but find it almost impossible to lose this weight. Has anyone else had this problem, and how long will it take for my body to get back to normal?

Maria, I also feel I have gained weight since coming off the pill 2 months ago. I stopped taking it mid pack and spotted for a few days. I have had nothng since. Plus I have gained wieght and have developed really bad skin. Can you anyone help, as this is worrying me!!

I also came off the pill 2 months ago, and it has been nothing but trouble. I still do not have a normal period, and have also gained weight. From everything I have read, these symptoms during the first few months off the pill seem common. Hope this helps!

Maria and Gem,
I was on ortho-tri-cyclen lo for 4 years and stopped taking it about 2-3 months ago. I have gained weight as well and cannot get rid of it no matter what i do. I have also been breaking out like crazy. I dont remember my skin ever being this bad. People have been coming up to me and asking if I am breaking out because my skin has always been clear. I don't know what to do. I am very self concious of my weight gain and skin and don't know what to do!

Gem wrote:

Maria, I also feel I have gained weight since coming off the pill 2 months ago. I stopped taking it mid pack and spotted for a few days. I have had nothng since. Plus I have gained wieght and have developed really bad skin. Can you anyone help, as this is worrying me!!

Ok so i came off hte pill 1 month ago with hopes of getting pregnant within the next few months. I got my period yesturday which was 5 days early, no big deal i kind of expected that. My concern is i have been getting very nauseous for the past couple weeks and my appetite has been very strange. Also i have been clotting very bad and this period has been extremely heavy which never happens to me, is this normal when coming off of the pill i have been on it for 13 years. Please help!!

I am 25, I came off birth control 4 months ago... my periods are very irregular. It took me 3 months to get my first period. I was on an emotional roller coaster. I am waiting for my 2nd period to come. It is now a week late. My skin as well has broken out. I have also gained weight. We are trying to get pregnant, so, I guess I just should wait out the side effects. With irregular periods I feel like I am never going to get pregnant. Would it be easier if I tried to lose weight? I heard that over weight women have much more difficulty getting pregnant.

I came off the pill about 6 months ago after being on it for 4-5 years. Since then I have gained about 15 lbs and it is really hard to lose. I am wondering if I went back on the pill, if I would lose the weight. has anyone had experience with this?

I went off of the pill last month for the first time in 9 years. I am 34 years old and went off the pill because I want to try to get pregnant within the next few months. I always struggle with weight but even with going to the gym 6x a week, and following weight watchers, I have gained 6lbs. when will this stop???

Has anyone had breast tenderness after getting off the pill?

I was on Ovral for a few years. I stopped the pill just a week and a half ago and for the past 4 days I have been hot, tired, headachey and a bit dizzy. Is this normal? How long does it last?

Ashley wrote:

I am 25 just came off birth control for the first time, after taking them for 9 years. I took the first week of my new pack, then my husband said I could come off of them. I stopped taking them after the first week. I have been off of them now for 2 weeks. Is it normal to be tired after stopping the pill?? I feel like I have no energy.

I know you wrote this along time ago so it won't matter. but for 9 years your body has been pumped with hormones. and then one day you stopped the routine that your body has grown accustomed to. Buy now you know the answer but for anyone else out there who is experiencing this. Your tired b/c your body is coming off of something, it's not being pumped full of hormones...you just need to let your body readjust. I don't think anyone should ever just take themselves off of a medication, consult your gyn. and he/she can tell you the best method, or if it should be done gradually (ie: shorter months)

I don't get it, I'm reading all these things...most everyone says they gain weight on the pill and the other half gained weight coming off the pill.
I'm confused?!
I gained weight on the pill, I'm hoping to lose it which is why I'm coming off of it. I'm on yasmin...

anyone else On yasmin who gained, lost it when they went off?

I too stopped taking Yasmin last month as I'd started to get headaches and pins & needles. I am 32 and have been on the pill on and off for 12 years (apart from when pg with my two children).

I have to say am feeling awful! have gained 6 pounds in weight, have very swollen tender breasts and I look about 5 months pg! have had pretty much constant period pain but no show as yet. Am hoping the weight gain stops where it is and will lessen once period arrives? if anyone has had similar experience would be v. interested to hear from them.

I have had all of the same symptoms you all have had after coming off of b/c after 12 years. Including exteremely bad cramps that will not stop. Beelding that won't stop weight gain, everything you have experienced too. I agree with the lady from CA who says it's our bodies coming off of a drug. I go to the dr. this week for this problem. I'll write back when I find out more and any suggestions for relif.

Stella wrote:

I don't get it, I'm reading all these things...most everyone says they gain weight on the pill and the other half gained weight coming off the pill.
I'm confused?!
I gained weight on the pill, I'm hoping to lose it which is why I'm coming off of it. I'm on yasmin...
anyone else On yasmin who gained, lost it when they went off?

I just stopped taking Yasmin the first week in August. So far I have actually lost weight, this may be due to other lifestyle changes like getting rid of my car and cutting dairy products out of my diet however I still have been eating out quite a bit and not exactly taking it easy on the dairy-free (but sugar filled) cookies. I never noticed any weight gain when I started the pill, but since I've come off I have noticed less bloating.

The thing that's making me ansy is that my period is about 4 days late. I had my usual period a couple days after I finished my last pill pack. Recently I've had some mild cramping and been a little emotional and also *blush* a bit gassy, but I have not had any visual sign of a period yet. I'm very relieved to see that other women have experienced irregular periods after coming off birth control. Any other previous Yasmin users out there, how long did it take you to get get a period after your last pill pack? Thank goodness for internet forums! I would be spending even more money on home pregnancy tests right now.

kay wrote:

I stopped taking birth control pills - lo dose after 15 years. I have gained weight now, coming off the pill, never while on the pill. A friend said that some women my age early 30's experience a kind of adolescent weight gain when they stop taking the pill. Has this been anyone's experience?

I did gain weight going off the pill. I was really bloated in the beginning and then that got a bit better. My skin is terrible though...anyone else?