u/Affectionate_Past121

Okay ladies… I think it’s finally time. I turned 50 this year and I’m seriously considering breaking up with birth control after what feels like a 30+ year situationship 😂

I’ve had a male doctor for the last 15 years and no offense to him, but I need a woman who understands the hormonal shifts. I’m weirdly nervous to stop the pill because right now I have zero perimenopause symptoms. No hot flashes, no mood swings, no night sweats… honestly my birth control has me out here living in a false sense of hormonal security.

The ONLY thing I love is knowing the exact day my period is going to arrive like an annoying but reliable houseguest. But considering I haven’t been in a relationship in almost 3 years, the odds of an “oops baby” at 50 seem pretty slim unless it’s an immaculate conception because absolutely not 😂 (Also: never been pregnant, never wanted to be.)

Now I’m reading all the horror stories about hormone shifts, weight gain, mood swings, hot flashes, HRT, and suddenly I’m spiraling wondering if the second I stop the pill I’m going to wake up drenched in sweat, emotionally unstable, and arguing with my oatmeal at breakfast.

So tell me your stories:

- What was it like getting off birth control at this age?

- Did menopause symptoms hit you like a truck or was it no big deal?

- Did anyone regret stopping?

- Did HRT help?

And most importantly…am I going to gain 12 pounds just LOOKING at carbs? 😭

Please reassure/enlighten me before I panic-renew this prescription for another decade!

Tell me something good, ladies! I’m a 50-year-old looking to take my first solo trip sometime in the next 6–9 months. I live in California, so I’m not trying to do anything with a flight longer than about 6 hours. I’m considering an all-inclusive, but not the super honeymoon/couples-only vibe that a lot of them seem to have.

I absolutely adore my girlfriends, but lately I’ve been craving a trip where I don’t have to coordinate dinners, excursions, pool time, or anyone else’s schedule but my own. Funny enough, we were all saying the exact same thing at a recent get-together 😂

I love bars, live music, dancing, and being social - basically the same energy I have at home, just with new scenery and new people. I want the freedom to do everything, or absolutely nothing, entirely on my own terms.

Have any of you done a solo trip like this? Where did you go, and would you recommend it? Bonus points if it felt safe, fun, social when you wanted it to be, and relaxing when you didn’t.