r/gettingoffHBC

I 18F have been on a hormonal birth control since I was 13 and first got a menstruation cycle. While it’s usually unadvised for children and teenagers that young to be put on the pill, I was put on it because my cycles were extremely long and painful: (we’re talking 90 days in between and 14 day long menstruation periods). I got off hormonal birth control about 3 or 4 months ago because it was suppressing my immune system and making me very sick. Since I’ve been off of it, I have noticed some changes and I’m curious if there are other things I should be aware of that other women have noticed when they’ve gotten off birth control? I am starting to break out really badly, which is unusual for me since while I was on birth control I had clear skin with little to no skin care routine; and my body is starting to shift how I carry weight (such as reallocating to the hips and bust- which is super bizarre for me because my bust and hip size hasn’t changed at all since I was 13). I’ve read about some women having mental health changes, or feeling different about their partners and I’ve noticed things like that happening to me as well! I feel more attracted and safe with my partner than I did before, and I feel much happier than I did previously.

I guess my biggest thing that I’m asking is if there’s anything to expect or look out for, as my body regulates the new changes. It’s almost as if getting off hormonal birth control has made my body start to go through the puberty I didn’t fully have in middle school, and that’s quite scary and jarring for me. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

EDIT: yes I’ve talked to my doctor, and he pretty much just starred at me blank and said “well I mean, you’re not supposed to have very many changes on and off the pill” which was why I was hoping for advice on people’s lives experience

I was on the combo pill from 17-33 and have been tired as long as I can remember. No amount of sleeping or naps would refresh me. I also had severe brain fog (couldnt retain information or think through things), apathy towards everything (everything was a monumental struggle), I could barely socialize, and a year ago I randomly developed severe dry eye. My B vitamins were also low.

I was trying to manage all of this with supplements and stimulants. One doctor diagnosed me with ADHD and said I must have had great coping skills in childhood and was able to mask it. I tried several different stimulants but all if them made me feel weird and spaced out.

Fast forward to 2023, I got a new job and despite wanting to excel I literally could not retain information to save my life. How I didnt get fired is beyond me. I would take detailed notes but it's like my brain couldn't connect tbe dots or recall information.

A month ago I quit birth control and I'm now able to wake up refreshed, stay awake during the day, and ive become super efficient at work. In one day I had multiple coworkers say "thats a good point!" which is huge. I genuinely think all my coworkers thought I was stupid and it makes me angry that this went on for so long. I honestly feel like my whole personality has shifted. I'm much more chatty - talking to people at stores, actually wanting to engage with my coworkers, wittier, just all around better.

Has anyone had this experience?

Hi. I've been taking Slynd for the past 3 months but this month I couldn't take it because of 3rd world problems (all of the drugstores of my city had run out of the pill) and now I am wondering when should I expect my period to arrive. My last placebo pill was July 27th, so how long does it usually take to get back my period? I still haven't found a new box but I want to start searching again and I want to be ready so I can start taking it again. Thanks.

Hi! I stopped taking the pill after 10 years in April and got a 4 day period July 3rd but nothing this month (about a 40 day cycle). I was on slynd. Pregnancy tests are negative. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi everyone, I’m just looking for some advice I’m 26 this year and I am on the yaz pill since I’m 17.
I’m desperate to come off and see how I am without it but terrified 1 of becoming pregnant and 2 of how my body will change coming off it.
I never suffered with my period or my skin but I’m scared these will change as 9 years is a long time to be on something, also worried about protecting myself against 👶🏽 but I’m sure I’ll figure a natural way out.
I feel like I’m so torn because I don’t get bad side effects but I feel like I don’t know myself either, I’ve no libido, I feel like I’ve no personality anymore, im always tired or miserable I just don’t feel like a human being anymore and again it could be down to this or it could just be general burnout but I’m hearing so many story’s of women coming off the pill and being new people so I’m just wondering if anyone has been on my specific birth control and has any input or advice for me to bite the bullet..:
I’m currently on my 4 day break and I’m like do I just not go back on it🫣

I’m sure this has been posted countless times. But looking for some advice as one thread I found was overwhelming amount of information.

I’m 28(f) and I’ve been on my birth control pill for 10 years as of next month. The last year I’ve heavily debated going off of it and tracking my cycle instead. I have a list of health issues and mental struggles now and some of that make me wonder if it’s due to being on hormonal birth control for so long. I never got any serious side effects after starting, just awful break outs for the first few years when I never had bad skin before. I’m paranoid about going back to painful periods, I would always get awful cramping and have to miss school the first day. I suppressed my “period” most of the time I’ve been on it, taking it three packs through and then the placebo week. The times I tried to switch back to one pack at a time, back to bad cramping.

I’m single again for the first time in a couple years. So seems like a great time to go off of it to test it. What should I expect? What are good natural ways to manage cramping and heavy periods if they come back like they were before? I can’t take ibuprofen due to a health condition, and I’m also iron deficient because of it. So another concern. But I’m stopping taking it as of today. Over it, and ready to hear others experiences and advice!! Thank you in advance 🫶🏻

i stopped birth control late june and had my withdrawal bleed day 2-6 after i stopped taking the pill. on CD 27 i had my LH surge and figured i ovulated on CD 28 or 29 based on symptoms. i then spotted (brown old blood only when wiping) on CD 35-38. then the spotting completely went away. this was also when my PdG rose. PdG went up on CD 35 and progesterone rise was fully positive (easy@home) starting on CD 36. i am now on CD 44 and my PdG is still up. i’m so confused because all of my tests are negative when i take HCG/FRER.

has this happened to anyone else when coming off birth control? i was taking it for 13 years and i also have suspected endo.

wondering if this is semi normal or if i should reach out to my obgyn.

Before quitting bc after 9 years of being on it, I want to share my experience so here's mine for someone in the future.

Disclaimer: Not trying to push my choice on anyone. I did this for my mental and physical health. Almost all the side effects of quitting BC that I have seen were mostly negative and made me worry about quitting so this is my mostly positive experience.

I think preparing by taking all the necessary vitamins 3 months before really really helped me. Collagen, ashwaghana, Womens multivitamins, creatine and fiber.

Physically: Ive noticed some extra oily skin and my leg hair and nails are growing faster and thicker than ever. I feel stronger in the gym and I've lost 16 lbs (172-156). I just got my period and shit hurts for sure! I tolerated it way more on the pill but the cramps kicked my ass today. I'd say it went from a 0-1 to a 3 sometimes a 5 at its worst.

Mentally/emotionally: OHHHH MY GOOOODDAHHHHH my moods switch so often, I get angrier faster, my patience is still pretty high just not in the mornings. I feel *more* like myself again. More creative, more positive and open to trying new things. It's like I know how to deal with my anxiety, I am less closed off than I used to be. Im way more talkative too!

If there are any more questions feel free to ask:)

i stopped birth control 5 weeks ago and have been feeling horrible since. I even got my first period last week but it didn‘t help my symptoms. i have been having nausea everyday since stopping, headaches, fatigue and i started getting depressed + more anxious. i cant take this anymore and wondered if getting back on birth control would help? does anyone have any experience or experienced the same symptoms? or should i just wait a bit longer, but its really hard..