To pill or not to pill?
October 14, 2008 12:58 PM Subscribe
After almost 13 years, I'm thinking about getting off the pill. Should I and what can I expect to happen to my body?
I've been on it from 18-31 with no stopping. I always felt that stopping just messed with your hormones more so it was best to stay on. I have not been sexually active for about 4 years and not regularly active for more like 10, but I figured I'd just stay on for a number of reasons:
> I like the regularness of my period, knowing the exact day I will get it
> I like not having any cramps/PMS symptoms
> I like having either no period at all or a light 3-day period
> When I travel I go 4 months straight with no period
> Possibly better skin
I'm running out of the pills I have stockpiled and I have no health insurance. I have not gotten insurance since I am self-employed and have been denied previously for a pre-existing condition which was minor and shocking to get denied for. I need to get insurance in the near future but I'm scared of getting denied again. Last year I qualified for government aid for "family planning" so I got my checkup and pills for free. I'm making too much money now to qualify, but I am by no means well off. I'm sure I could manage the cost but I'm not sure the benefits are worth it right now.
The reasons I'm thinking of going off are money (the pill I love is $65/month, another that's okay is $35/month generic), curiosity of what my body will function like and a total lack of sex drive. I didn't really realize I had no sex drive because I was busy working and traveling and didn't really have the opportunity to date. Now I do and I realize what's been going on. I also have a rare vulvar skin condition that causes dryness and narrowing which makes sex more difficult. I'm treating it but who knows if I can even have sex, it's been so long! Not having my period and having light ones means less blood to irritate that condition which is great, although some people with the conditions are anti-pill because it lowers something or other (it's thought to be auto-immune but no one knows). I see a lot of people who are anti-pill because they think it's "unnatural." I don't believe that so much, I'm more in the camp of at 31 I shouldn't have been bleeding so much, if nature had it's way I would have had 5 babies by now (I've had none), so the pill is more natural in that respect.
When I was a teenager it was more or less regular, at least within one week, but nothing like it is on the pill. I remember having more PMS/cramps etc. but nothing horrible where I would regularly need to curl up in the fetal position or anything. It used to be 5-7 days regular flow, which would kind of suck after not having it at all or only 3 days of so light I could almost just wear a pantyliner.
My questions are:
> Is there any good reason to stay on/go off the pill?
> What happens when I go off? Did you experience any benefits/drawbacks?
> How long did it take your body to 'normalize'? I know everyone reacts differently, but I'm looking for personal anecdotes, which Google doesn't help with.
I know you're not my doctor. I've asked my doctor in the past and she always thinks it's best to stay on for the anti-cancer benefits. Breast cancer does not run in my family and I am not a smoker.
I've been on it from 18-31 with no stopping. I always felt that stopping just messed with your hormones more so it was best to stay on. I have not been sexually active for about 4 years and not regularly active for more like 10, but I figured I'd just stay on for a number of reasons:
> I like the regularness of my period, knowing the exact day I will get it
> I like not having any cramps/PMS symptoms
> I like having either no period at all or a light 3-day period
> When I travel I go 4 months straight with no period
> Possibly better skin
I'm running out of the pills I have stockpiled and I have no health insurance. I have not gotten insurance since I am self-employed and have been denied previously for a pre-existing condition which was minor and shocking to get denied for. I need to get insurance in the near future but I'm scared of getting denied again. Last year I qualified for government aid for "family planning" so I got my checkup and pills for free. I'm making too much money now to qualify, but I am by no means well off. I'm sure I could manage the cost but I'm not sure the benefits are worth it right now.
The reasons I'm thinking of going off are money (the pill I love is $65/month, another that's okay is $35/month generic), curiosity of what my body will function like and a total lack of sex drive. I didn't really realize I had no sex drive because I was busy working and traveling and didn't really have the opportunity to date. Now I do and I realize what's been going on. I also have a rare vulvar skin condition that causes dryness and narrowing which makes sex more difficult. I'm treating it but who knows if I can even have sex, it's been so long! Not having my period and having light ones means less blood to irritate that condition which is great, although some people with the conditions are anti-pill because it lowers something or other (it's thought to be auto-immune but no one knows). I see a lot of people who are anti-pill because they think it's "unnatural." I don't believe that so much, I'm more in the camp of at 31 I shouldn't have been bleeding so much, if nature had it's way I would have had 5 babies by now (I've had none), so the pill is more natural in that respect.
When I was a teenager it was more or less regular, at least within one week, but nothing like it is on the pill. I remember having more PMS/cramps etc. but nothing horrible where I would regularly need to curl up in the fetal position or anything. It used to be 5-7 days regular flow, which would kind of suck after not having it at all or only 3 days of so light I could almost just wear a pantyliner.
My questions are:
> Is there any good reason to stay on/go off the pill?
> What happens when I go off? Did you experience any benefits/drawbacks?
> How long did it take your body to 'normalize'? I know everyone reacts differently, but I'm looking for personal anecdotes, which Google doesn't help with.
I know you're not my doctor. I've asked my doctor in the past and she always thinks it's best to stay on for the anti-cancer benefits. Breast cancer does not run in my family and I am not a smoker.
Three years ago, I went off the pill after almost 20 years - I started for medical reasons at a young age and had all the benefits you describe (light periods, little cramping, regular periods) - when my husband and I decided to try to have a baby.
Nothing significant changed with my body, to my great dismay - I was hoping to drop a bunch of weight, frankly. But alas. My "natural" cycles normalized and became very regular within about two months, and were slightly heavier than when I was on the pill but nothing to write home about. My sex drive didn't change noticeably one way or the other.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
posted by nkknkk at 1:12 PM on October 14, 2008
Nothing significant changed with my body, to my great dismay - I was hoping to drop a bunch of weight, frankly. But alas. My "natural" cycles normalized and became very regular within about two months, and were slightly heavier than when I was on the pill but nothing to write home about. My sex drive didn't change noticeably one way or the other.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
posted by nkknkk at 1:12 PM on October 14, 2008
I went off the pill in my early twenties after having started using it at 17. I didn't menstruate again for eight months, and neither my sex drive, nor my weight, nor my skin changed. When my period reappeared, it was just as unpleasant (heavy, crampy) as it had been in my teens, so I immediately went back on the pill.
posted by magicbus at 1:22 PM on October 14, 2008
posted by magicbus at 1:22 PM on October 14, 2008
When I went off of the pill, I had a very light period about every other month for a year. After that, my body has settled into a very predictable menstrual cycle that is mostly painless and short. I went on the pill for four years after experiencing a year where I had my period for longer and longer amounts of time until I was pretty much bleeding every day, so, my regular menstrual cycle I am enjoying now is like a gift from jeebus. My libido, after being severely repressed on the pill, shot through the roof.
posted by Foam Pants at 1:25 PM on October 14, 2008
posted by Foam Pants at 1:25 PM on October 14, 2008
I've stopped the pill twice, once for 3 months and once for 6. Obviously, everyone is different, but it my case it was awful. There were the expected effects of longer, heavier periods with more cramps, but my body really didn't adjust to the change in hormones very well. I was tired, irritable (I yelled at some random woman on the bus one day, and my boss the next, for no good reason) and I couldn't concentrate on my work at all. On a few occasions I burst into tears at the slightest frustration.
And after years of pretty clear skin, the breakouts were unbearable. Not only on my face, but on my neck and back. Any savings from not buying the pills was completely negated by all the anti-acne products and stacks of high-necked shirts I had to buy.
Even on the 6 month break my body never quite adjusted. I had all those issues right up until I started taking the pill again.
I don't think it really helped my sex drive much. I've read that after extended pill use, it may never go back to normal.
My menstrual migraines did go away, but I decided it wasn't worth it and just got some migraine meds.
So that said, if it's mostly a cost issue, I would encourage you to look into planned parenthood or other options, like Kimberly suggested. And who knows, quitting may not be nearly as bad for you.
posted by thejanna at 1:25 PM on October 14, 2008
And after years of pretty clear skin, the breakouts were unbearable. Not only on my face, but on my neck and back. Any savings from not buying the pills was completely negated by all the anti-acne products and stacks of high-necked shirts I had to buy.
Even on the 6 month break my body never quite adjusted. I had all those issues right up until I started taking the pill again.
I don't think it really helped my sex drive much. I've read that after extended pill use, it may never go back to normal.
My menstrual migraines did go away, but I decided it wasn't worth it and just got some migraine meds.
So that said, if it's mostly a cost issue, I would encourage you to look into planned parenthood or other options, like Kimberly suggested. And who knows, quitting may not be nearly as bad for you.
posted by thejanna at 1:25 PM on October 14, 2008
I've asked my doctor in the past and she always thinks it's best to stay on for the anti-cancer benefits. Breast cancer does not run in my family and I am not a smoker.
Second-opinion.
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 1:47 PM on October 14, 2008
Second-opinion.
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 1:47 PM on October 14, 2008
I was on the pill from 18 to 30, going off to have babies. Anything that happened either during my pregnancies or between babies would not apply. (So I won't comment on those experiences!)
However, after baby #2, I didn't get around to getting a prescription for almost a year. My skin was terrible. I had big, non-head forming, under the skin cysts on my jaw line. I had never had bad skin as a teenager, so I was beside myself. My periods never "normalized" again. When I was off the pill, I would spot in week 3 for a few days. When my period would come the following week, it would be heavier but shorter in duration (48 hours of heavy versus 72 of light when on pill).
I guess I suffered from mild PMS, but nothing too terrible. My period was quite regular when I was off the pill (25-26 days, very repeatable).
I went back on the pill about 2 years ago and I am glad I did. I can handle irregular spotting and a little PMS, but I can't take the skin problems. My OB said breakouts are quite common for women in their 30's (how lovely).
Along the same lines, I went off the pill for a month earlier this year. Breakouts were swift and awful. Cleared up about 6 weeks after I went back on the pill.
You'll have to talk to your doctor about the medical benefits/ issues with being on the pill for another 5-10 years (that's my disclaimer), but I see no benefit to being off the pill unless you want to get pregnant. Good luck!
posted by beachhead2 at 2:19 PM on October 14, 2008
However, after baby #2, I didn't get around to getting a prescription for almost a year. My skin was terrible. I had big, non-head forming, under the skin cysts on my jaw line. I had never had bad skin as a teenager, so I was beside myself. My periods never "normalized" again. When I was off the pill, I would spot in week 3 for a few days. When my period would come the following week, it would be heavier but shorter in duration (48 hours of heavy versus 72 of light when on pill).
I guess I suffered from mild PMS, but nothing too terrible. My period was quite regular when I was off the pill (25-26 days, very repeatable).
I went back on the pill about 2 years ago and I am glad I did. I can handle irregular spotting and a little PMS, but I can't take the skin problems. My OB said breakouts are quite common for women in their 30's (how lovely).
Along the same lines, I went off the pill for a month earlier this year. Breakouts were swift and awful. Cleared up about 6 weeks after I went back on the pill.
You'll have to talk to your doctor about the medical benefits/ issues with being on the pill for another 5-10 years (that's my disclaimer), but I see no benefit to being off the pill unless you want to get pregnant. Good luck!
posted by beachhead2 at 2:19 PM on October 14, 2008
Before I went on the pill, I didn't have terribly heavy periods, but they were quite irregular, and I did have pretty dreadful cramps. So, I was on the pill from 20-34, and now I've been off of it for about eight months. It took about three months to get used to the new normal.
My period is much more regular than when before I went on the pill. It's heavier than when I was on the pill, but not alarmingly so, and still only lasts about four days. I get cramps again, and this sucks, but eh, I'm older and less alarmed by pain?
No increased acne issues. My sex drive is absolutely, positively increased (and I didn't feel that it had decreased when I was on the pill!) No weird fatigue or irritability issues. I always had a little overemotional-PMS thing the day before I started my period, even on the pill, and that's not changed.
I tell ya, though, ovulating is weird.
The cancer preventive effect of the pill is for ovarian cancer, btw. Risk of breast cancer while taking the pill is actually potentially elevated. The issue with smoking is that smokers who are on the pill have a higher risk of heart-disease.
posted by desuetude at 2:20 PM on October 14, 2008
My period is much more regular than when before I went on the pill. It's heavier than when I was on the pill, but not alarmingly so, and still only lasts about four days. I get cramps again, and this sucks, but eh, I'm older and less alarmed by pain?
No increased acne issues. My sex drive is absolutely, positively increased (and I didn't feel that it had decreased when I was on the pill!) No weird fatigue or irritability issues. I always had a little overemotional-PMS thing the day before I started my period, even on the pill, and that's not changed.
I tell ya, though, ovulating is weird.
The cancer preventive effect of the pill is for ovarian cancer, btw. Risk of breast cancer while taking the pill is actually potentially elevated. The issue with smoking is that smokers who are on the pill have a higher risk of heart-disease.
posted by desuetude at 2:20 PM on October 14, 2008
I am not a lady, and the lady who associates with me has been on the pill for as long as I've known her, so I have no personal experience.
However, some interesting things happen related to scent when coming off of the pill.
Quick summary:
1. Women are better at finding "ideal" mates (Read: immunologically dissimilar) when they are off the pill.
2. "Men are more often attracted to the scent of women who are not on the pill."
I have actually heard a few instances of anecdotal evidence of the latter, where a married couple tries to get pregnant, so the woman, who has been on the pill throughout the relationship, stops taking it, and the man finds her scent less appealing as a result.
Perhaps not exactly what you're looking for, but something interesting, no doubt.
posted by SpiffyRob at 2:21 PM on October 14, 2008
However, some interesting things happen related to scent when coming off of the pill.
Quick summary:
1. Women are better at finding "ideal" mates (Read: immunologically dissimilar) when they are off the pill.
2. "Men are more often attracted to the scent of women who are not on the pill."
I have actually heard a few instances of anecdotal evidence of the latter, where a married couple tries to get pregnant, so the woman, who has been on the pill throughout the relationship, stops taking it, and the man finds her scent less appealing as a result.
Perhaps not exactly what you're looking for, but something interesting, no doubt.
posted by SpiffyRob at 2:21 PM on October 14, 2008
just came off after 16 years continuously on (very light periods, very minimal fuss)
got a regular cycle back within 4 weeks. noticably heavier, 5 day instead of three. skin is still freaking out a bit - hoping that will settle down. was finally able to shed the 7 lbs I'd been working on for 3 years.
all together, not massively different.
posted by wayward vagabond at 2:24 PM on October 14, 2008
got a regular cycle back within 4 weeks. noticably heavier, 5 day instead of three. skin is still freaking out a bit - hoping that will settle down. was finally able to shed the 7 lbs I'd been working on for 3 years.
all together, not massively different.
posted by wayward vagabond at 2:24 PM on October 14, 2008
If you decide to stay on the pill and want to keep taking your preferred one you might try shopping around for price. A multitude of articles over the years have documented the huge price variations that exist in the prescription drug market, both generic and patent protected. It made a big difference in my bottom line back when I had no prescription drug coverage.
Some pharmacies, like Costco, list prices online.
posted by phearlez at 2:59 PM on October 14, 2008
Some pharmacies, like Costco, list prices online.
posted by phearlez at 2:59 PM on October 14, 2008
My data point: I went off the pill a couple times after taking it a number of years (similar to you) and I don't even remember if there was a change. I'm sure my face didn't break out, I'm sure I didn't lose or gain weight. I can't remember if my period schedule changed, so it couldn't have been that drastic. (Though I was never regular before I went on it.)
posted by iguanapolitico at 4:47 PM on October 14, 2008
posted by iguanapolitico at 4:47 PM on October 14, 2008
I went off after about 10 years or so and lost weight and had more cramps when I got my period. It went back to its pre-pill, naturally irregular cycle.
posted by Maias at 5:02 PM on October 14, 2008
posted by Maias at 5:02 PM on October 14, 2008
I went off the pill after 10 years (16-26) to start trying for babies. I lost 5 lbs (though you couldn't tell by looking at me), my periods were irregular for ~4 cycles, my skin worsened (I was eventually able to get breakouts under control), and I did experience more cramping before the periods.
posted by ms.v. at 5:14 PM on October 14, 2008
posted by ms.v. at 5:14 PM on October 14, 2008
Another data point: I just got off the pill after having been on it almost continuously for over eight years. I haven't noticed too many changes other than that my periods are not as regular (they were wildly irregular before I went on the pill) and holy crap is my sex drive back!
posted by AV at 5:27 PM on October 14, 2008
posted by AV at 5:27 PM on October 14, 2008
I stopped taking the pill after six years that spanned my mid-teens to early twenties, and spent two years off of it before going on again. During the first year without the pill, I was utterly irregular, but never had any periods that were alarmingly close to one another. Second year, things started to normalize a bit, and I had something like a six or seven week cycle - compared to a very regular four week cycle when I was a teenager without the pill.
The only other change that I noticed in myself after going off the pill was that I actually experienced PMS every cycle (YMMV, depending on your pill, I'm sure) and found myself crying and getting worked up the week before my period.
posted by universal_qlc at 5:27 PM on October 14, 2008
The only other change that I noticed in myself after going off the pill was that I actually experienced PMS every cycle (YMMV, depending on your pill, I'm sure) and found myself crying and getting worked up the week before my period.
posted by universal_qlc at 5:27 PM on October 14, 2008
I went off the Pill after being on it for 12 years. I had more flow, more cramps, and I didn't really like revisiting the extremes of my emotional and physical spectrum. Say what you will about HBC, at least you know what to expect.
Then I started to have weird pain and spotting, and was diagnosed with ovarian cysts (have had 'em for a few years now) and endometriosis--not current growth, but adhesions from a great deal of it at some point in the past--presumably during that post-Pill period. My docs recommended I go back on HBC.
That's my story.
posted by Riverine at 5:35 PM on October 14, 2008
Then I started to have weird pain and spotting, and was diagnosed with ovarian cysts (have had 'em for a few years now) and endometriosis--not current growth, but adhesions from a great deal of it at some point in the past--presumably during that post-Pill period. My docs recommended I go back on HBC.
That's my story.
posted by Riverine at 5:35 PM on October 14, 2008
I've been on and off it over the years, and have always found that I get more wound up the longer I am on it - so stopping was nice; I feel more relaxed, sex drive back to normal, periods about the same. My skin seems better and I think I dropped a few pounds, too, but I've also been exercising more, so that might not be pill related
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:39 PM on October 14, 2008
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:39 PM on October 14, 2008
Many women apparently experience hair loss when going off the pill.
posted by The Toad at 3:40 AM on October 15, 2008
posted by The Toad at 3:40 AM on October 15, 2008
I went off the pill to get pregnant. I too had been on various formulations of it for about 15 years before I stopped. I too loved the predictability and especially the clear skin I got from being on the pill.
So after I delivered my baby, I stayed off the pill for about 3 months so I could breastfeed, plus I had some blood pressure problems that needed to be resolved before I could go on the pill again. My skin was yucky! But my mood was pretty good. My cramps were terrible, but I think that is to be expected after having a baby. Now that I've been on the pill for a few cycles, it's getting better.
> Is there any good reason to stay on/go off the pill?
Pros to staying on:
Predictability of period; but if you can chart your basal temperature, you can probably do this without being on the pill.
Typically, the pill abates a lot of acne
It tends to keep my weight down/on the lighter side of my normal weight, but I think that's because I take one with a very mild diuretic
My boobs are bigger when I take the pill and I like that
I have functional ovarian cysts (benign), and the pill helps keep them in check
Pros to going off:
Sex drive will probably be better
Mood will probably improve (it would in me, anyway). I am starting to notice weird mood events (snapping at my husband, getting very impatient, etc) during my period, and if they keep happening, I am going to have to do something about it.
> What happens when I go off? Did you experience any benefits/drawbacks?
When I went off it to try to get pregnant, I had bad skin, and needed like four different "safe" topical medications to get my breakouts under control. That was bad.
My mood was better and I seemed to be more light-hearted and fun.
Drawbacks: If you are sexually active, and not trying to get pregnant, it would be very nerve-wracking to be waiting for your period to see if you are pregnant. If you do go off, I suggest basal body temperature charting (check the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility for instructions) so you know when you're ovulating.
My menstrual cramps were worse off the pill. I think it was because of the cysts I have. The cramps lasted longer and were a lot more painful, we're talking stay in bed for the morning because they are so bad. Normally I just take ibuprofen prophylactically for my period anyway, but that wasn't touching the pain. That was hard to deal with.
> How long did it take your body to 'normalize'? I know everyone reacts differently, but I'm looking for personal anecdotes, which Google doesn't help with.
Well, it only took four months of trying, two of which were "vigorous," to get pregnant. My cycles never were 28 days to begin with (except on the pill) and they evened out by the second month, I think.
Seriously, get the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and read it this weekend. It is very cool and it will help you understand a lot about your cycle especially if you do end up going off the pill.
posted by FergieBelle at 5:39 AM on October 15, 2008
So after I delivered my baby, I stayed off the pill for about 3 months so I could breastfeed, plus I had some blood pressure problems that needed to be resolved before I could go on the pill again. My skin was yucky! But my mood was pretty good. My cramps were terrible, but I think that is to be expected after having a baby. Now that I've been on the pill for a few cycles, it's getting better.
> Is there any good reason to stay on/go off the pill?
Pros to staying on:
Predictability of period; but if you can chart your basal temperature, you can probably do this without being on the pill.
Typically, the pill abates a lot of acne
It tends to keep my weight down/on the lighter side of my normal weight, but I think that's because I take one with a very mild diuretic
My boobs are bigger when I take the pill and I like that
I have functional ovarian cysts (benign), and the pill helps keep them in check
Pros to going off:
Sex drive will probably be better
Mood will probably improve (it would in me, anyway). I am starting to notice weird mood events (snapping at my husband, getting very impatient, etc) during my period, and if they keep happening, I am going to have to do something about it.
> What happens when I go off? Did you experience any benefits/drawbacks?
When I went off it to try to get pregnant, I had bad skin, and needed like four different "safe" topical medications to get my breakouts under control. That was bad.
My mood was better and I seemed to be more light-hearted and fun.
Drawbacks: If you are sexually active, and not trying to get pregnant, it would be very nerve-wracking to be waiting for your period to see if you are pregnant. If you do go off, I suggest basal body temperature charting (check the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility for instructions) so you know when you're ovulating.
My menstrual cramps were worse off the pill. I think it was because of the cysts I have. The cramps lasted longer and were a lot more painful, we're talking stay in bed for the morning because they are so bad. Normally I just take ibuprofen prophylactically for my period anyway, but that wasn't touching the pain. That was hard to deal with.
> How long did it take your body to 'normalize'? I know everyone reacts differently, but I'm looking for personal anecdotes, which Google doesn't help with.
Well, it only took four months of trying, two of which were "vigorous," to get pregnant. My cycles never were 28 days to begin with (except on the pill) and they evened out by the second month, I think.
Seriously, get the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility and read it this weekend. It is very cool and it will help you understand a lot about your cycle especially if you do end up going off the pill.
posted by FergieBelle at 5:39 AM on October 15, 2008
When I got off the pill, and I have taken breaks many times before renouncing the monstrosity that is the oral contraceptive, the following happened:
PROS
- I lost weight.
- My sex drive returned
- My mood swings disappeared.
CONS
- I spotted for a few days
- My periods became a bit more irregular (every 28 to 35 days, but that's a lot of guesswork..)
- I got mild acne before every period
posted by bondgirl53001 at 3:47 PM on October 15, 2008
PROS
- I lost weight.
- My sex drive returned
- My mood swings disappeared.
CONS
- I spotted for a few days
- My periods became a bit more irregular (every 28 to 35 days, but that's a lot of guesswork..)
- I got mild acne before every period
posted by bondgirl53001 at 3:47 PM on October 15, 2008
I was on the pill for no where long as you, but after I'd been on it a few years, I had to stop taking it for a few months, when I went on it again, I noticed something weird -
a few weeks after I'd been off the pill, I'd started reading erotica.
I hadn't thought it was doing anything to my sex drive, but the last time I'd read any erotica had been before my I'd gotten a then Long-term boyfriend, and a more active sex life (obvious reason, right?).
And before I went on the pill.
A few weeks after going back on the pill, I stopped reading it. And that's when I noticed the pattern. I did a few trials. Yep.
That it was having that obvious a behavioural change, weirded me out enough that I went off it. Still didn't notice any particular change, immediately, but realised I had a lot better sex with subsequent partners - something about choosing them better too?.
Basically - what's the harm in going off it, and seeing what it's like for you?
A trial run in seeing what the non-pill-you is like?
You don't like it, you go back on it, and meanwhile, you have a little break while you get your insurance sorted (save a month's supply so you *can* go back on it suddenly if you choose - and get some ibuprofen or naproxen if you're worried about bad periods).
(for birth control - I'm trying out an IUD now. As a side note, the hormonal IUD's use less hormones than the pill [more targeted delivery, obviously], and often suppress periods more effectively than the pill)
posted by Elysum at 3:45 PM on October 29, 2008
a few weeks after I'd been off the pill, I'd started reading erotica.
I hadn't thought it was doing anything to my sex drive, but the last time I'd read any erotica had been before my I'd gotten a then Long-term boyfriend, and a more active sex life (obvious reason, right?).
And before I went on the pill.
A few weeks after going back on the pill, I stopped reading it. And that's when I noticed the pattern. I did a few trials. Yep.
That it was having that obvious a behavioural change, weirded me out enough that I went off it. Still didn't notice any particular change, immediately, but realised I had a lot better sex with subsequent partners - something about choosing them better too?.
Basically - what's the harm in going off it, and seeing what it's like for you?
A trial run in seeing what the non-pill-you is like?
You don't like it, you go back on it, and meanwhile, you have a little break while you get your insurance sorted (save a month's supply so you *can* go back on it suddenly if you choose - and get some ibuprofen or naproxen if you're worried about bad periods).
(for birth control - I'm trying out an IUD now. As a side note, the hormonal IUD's use less hormones than the pill [more targeted delivery, obviously], and often suppress periods more effectively than the pill)
posted by Elysum at 3:45 PM on October 29, 2008
I'm late to the party here, but for what it's worth: I went off the pill almost a year ago. At first I didn't notice much of a difference, but then after about 4 months my acne came back with a vengeance as did my sex drive. My periods became irregular and I noticed some of the hair on my body getting a bit darker, neither of which had never occurred before.
None of this has been too traumatizing -- and it certainly does feel good to know that your body is doing it's own natural thing, but I've had a few thoughts here and there of going back on mostly for superficial reasons.
posted by RingerChopChop at 12:11 PM on November 3, 2008
None of this has been too traumatizing -- and it certainly does feel good to know that your body is doing it's own natural thing, but I've had a few thoughts here and there of going back on mostly for superficial reasons.
posted by RingerChopChop at 12:11 PM on November 3, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
If ultimately you would prefer to stay on the pill, you might want to check into planned parenthood and/or state-funded programs. California, for example, has progressive programs that make it extremely easy to get birth control if you are unemployed or don't have insurance.
posted by Kimberly at 1:10 PM on October 14, 2008