An online reviewer of a commonly used pill brand seconded my experience, saying, It made me feel depressed and have little energy. Ive been on birth control for almost 5 years and have been thinking of going off, but Im extremely nervous for the repercussions since its what my body is used to. 6. It didnt work. My hair is everywhere. Off The Pill After Taking Also did any of you miss a period the first month after stopping? One way to reduce nausea from birth control pills is to take the pill at dinner or with an evening snack. Cant believe how much it affected me when I have taken it. Oily hair. My anxiety and appetite decreased off the pill whereas my sex drive and confidence increased. Many women report their energy levels gradually increase after stopping the pill. Once I got off the pill, I felt like I could breathe more easily. I thought I was dying lol. You are wonderful and so brave telling your story on your blog and when going through difficult times of example family loss things can flare up. I got bacne too which I never had. I never appreciated it before. And theyre even more affordable on Amazon. We are still trying to find the cause of mine. I just recently stopped taking them 2-3 weeks ago, and have also been experiencing dizzy spells off and on every day, sometimes accompanied by slight nausea. (5 replies) Dizziness b/c of stopping the pill?? I have been using it for over 5 years and it is 100% effective for us. I was so achy and crampy and it hurt so much to walk! Have you talked to your dr? Although I originally went on birth control to help reducesome horrific period cramps, I recently moved to New York City, broke up with my boyfriend of three years, and made a rash decision to throw out my birth control prescription along with him. My skin has been awful, the hair loss has definitely calmed down in the last 10/15 days but the acne is still there and the hair is still so greasy!! I love these posts!! Chronic migraines run in my family, and I still have about 3-4 migraines each month, but it has improved so much now that Im not on the pill since hormones seem to be such a trigger for me. Its nice to know Im not the only one experiencing this craziness! So I thought maybe I was having a reaction. Now? Even though getting off the Pill would be a small change, it felt like a big deal. Since going off it Ive had bad acne around the chin. Anyone else ??? Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. And why wouldnt it be? Hi Angela, I havent been on birth control but I had a relationship breakup about 6 months ago and my hair was falling out in handfuls. Im really hoping it has something to do with going off of birth control because it all started when I went off. So your baseline sex drive when you go off the Pill might be worlds different from what it was before you started it. If you didnt have any problems with acne before you started taking the Pill, the extra bumps on your face (and anywhere else) will probably go away after those few months. Have you found any products that worked?? Yes I have one of those boses who is may I say it (Absolute Witch)!! I would also get a break out here or there right around my period, which unfortunately still happens but hey, I'm not complaining. Acne is something that Ive dealt with for years so Ive tried a fair share of products but these are some of my favorites!! Then I went on the pill and would only get a migraine during the placebo (sugar pill) week. When Melissa F. from Louisiana lost her insurance and had to go off the Pill, she started seeing acne all over her body, she tells Womens Health. Sense of smell. I really hope this might be able to help you considering how much youve been able to help me! After six months though I started to test using it less and less and so far its all stayed away. Options. For however many years you were taking the Pill, your body got used to a continuous hormone. I feel really tired, and dizzy when I stand up, not sure if its because of stopping the pill. Headaches. Thanks for sharing. Thanks Emma! Oh man, now I have regular zits in my hairline and chin. Im definitely going to look into this info! Dizziness associated with discontinuation of I came off BC almost 10 years ago but am glad I did. Late post. I went off the Pill about six months ago, because my husband and I want to start a family, Kaely D. from California says. Birth-Control After you stop taking birth control, your body needs time to adjust to the new balance of hormones, similarly to when you started taking the pill in the first place. I was getting multiple cystic acne spots on my back that freaking HURT. The lack of the Pill wont make any major changes to your natural sex driveit just might feel that way because: 1) Youve been on the Pill so long that you dont remember what your natural sex drive was like, and 2) Your sex drive isnt constant. Doing that has been one of the greatest things Ive ever done. Tracks your cycles and tells you when you ovulate. Dweck agreed that the pill can influence your sex drive saying, "Some women will really notice a dampening of their sex drive or their libido when they are on the birth control pill. Thank you for being real and writing about real experiences! I havent been on it now for 6 years and we have a 3 year old and a little one that will be 1 on October 20! Headaches arent super common on birth control, but because the Pill regulates your natural hormones and causes a steep drop in estrogen, some people do get headaches, especially those who are prone to migraines. When will this stop? Coming off birth control was a stark reminder of what life was like every single month in high school. Hormonal fluctuations Rising or falling hormone levels can trigger or worsen anxiety, which is why many women experience anxiety during puberty, before menstruation, after having a baby, and during menopause. Ive always had bad acne but coming off of it made it worse. . After I am sorry you have to experience all this it does not sound fun. Taking this type of pill on an empty stomach may increase the risk of nausea. So anyway, I am now hormonal and break out in darn pimples ever since I moved down south. Hair in these areas is called hirsutism, Dara Matseoane-Peterssen, MD, chief of the division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital. One of my family members was on birth control for 20 years before using Progessence Plus and she loves the P+ so much because it does what the Progessence did without harming the body and better. Although my periods were pretty regular to begin with, I was worried about my period becoming irregular off the pill or that my period would last longer. It never came back, so I had a great experience with that particular treatment. Im not sure if its because Im finally getting all the meds out of my system or if its the new products working, Yeah my doctor here in Calgary told me just to use it on my problem areas at night. 7. Your Guide to Going Off of Birth Control . How does that even happen?! Headaches may vanish. I cant decide if this is new growth or breakage. Birth Control So thats exactly what I did. Pimple problems are common after going off hormonal birth control for a few reasons: The pill, patch or ring is no longer pumping your body with estrogen, a hormone that combats oily skin (which is why the pill is sometimes prescribed to treat acne). Possible side effects include slight bleeding or spotting, abdominal cramps, and irregular periods for the first few months. But, ladies and gentlemen, my PMS is back, and stronger than ever. Oh man. Fast forward 7 years after beginning birth control, to this past January. Pimple problems are common after going off hormonal birth control for a few reasons: The pill, patch or ring is no longer pumping your body with estrogen, a hormone that combats oily skin (which is why the pill is sometimes prescribed to treat acne). Stopping Birth Control But its only made me stronger. Dizziness/lightheadedness (the feeling like you're walking on a boat or that you're about to fall over even when you're sitting or standing still) has been one of my worst (and scariest) perimenopause symptoms, but it's gotten worse since I stopped taking low-dose birth control pills. Even though getting off the Pill would be a small change, it felt like a big deal. If you are wondering, I use Internal Harmony Progesterone Cream (Amazon $23.51). Im so happy to hear that you found something that works for you! My experience centered on acne (also a first for me in my life) and hairloss. Throughout puberty, pregnancy, postpartum (including breastfeeding) and menopause, major hormonal changes are occurring, which After Stopping Birth Control Boots No7 Beautifully Matte is also an AMAZING full coverage, mattifying foundation for broken out/oily skin. I have been on Lolo hormone pills for 2 months now for my pimples and am just starting to notice a difference. Since I was about 15 Ive always had hormonal issues because of PCOS. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. I just went off of my birth control about a month ago and it sucks!!! WebA dizzy or woozy feeling is most likely to occur when someone starts taking a new type of birth control, and it usually goes away within a matter of weeks. Downside- its a diuretic and will make you pee more! I have been off for 3 weeks and terrified im going to start getting bad acne. Surprising Side Effects One day my husband asked when did I straighten my hair and I burst into tears because I never did. Ive also just finished breastfeeding so just got my first period and find the cramps maybe dont seem so bad after the second baby. If you struggle with uncomfortable sex because of the Pill, you might want to explore other birth control options with your doc to make sex feel good again. But, some people originally start taking the Pill because it can help clear up acne. I did notice some changes in my body, though, and decided to run them bygynecologist Alyssa Dweck, MD, author of "The Complete A to Z for your V,"to see how common they were. 1. Ciara Appelbaum/ INSIDER The INSIDER Summary: I decided to ditch my birth control pills, and I've never felt better. Headaches may vanish. Coming off birth control was a stark reminder of what life was like every single month in high school. Please share more on this model! I dont like the break outs. I love that you are so close to your hubby and how you support eachother, and also that you are concerned with your relationship with God. So, How Exactly Do Birth Control Pills Work? How about you? Weight gain, nausea, breast tenderness, and menstrual cycle changes are all well-known side effects of oral contraceptives, but others aren't as universally familiar. Has this since cleared up for you? Switching birth control pills or going off it could trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary condition that causes your hair to shed. My open-back tops were kept to a minimum. I would get an occasional pimple here or there, specifically around/during my period. Lol And of coarse its all along the hairline but now the hairs are finally getting longer but so awkward for the first bit. How are you fairing now? It is often accompanied by the sensation that one's surroundings are spinning, and may cause nausea or vomiting. Thanks again -Erin- m mommywannabe2011 Feb 3, 2011 at 5:56 PM @mountida2004, I stopped the pill after 10 years. I would love to see a post about what products you used for acne.