Hello,
I stopped taking the pill mid pack last month. I was on it for about 8 years and had a small period immediately after taking it but I don’t think it was a real period. Anyway, I “should” get my real period now but its a no-show. I have some cramping, headaches, bloating and nausea. I read that it could take months for my body go back to normal.
Does anyone have experience with this? Is anything considered “normal” after quitting the pill?
Here’s my experience with the pill. 15 years of no contraception whatsoever (and many partners) then met (now) DH and he insisted on contraception so tried the pill for about a week and literally couldn’t stomach it, so stopped it. Immediately got pregnant and that was 17 years and 4 kids ago.
Be very very careful. 
When I stopped the pill I got the most horrible cramps, and heavy period I have ever gotten in my life, about 2 weeks after I quit. My doc said that as long as I returned to somewhat of a cycle in about two months I was okay. (and that new cycle ended up being a period every 35 days). Hormones are scary stuff.
I seem to recall it take several months to get back to normal after going off. If you’re really concerned call your Dr.
Not sure how old you are, but if you’re in your late 30s or older… nothing’s normal. I’m waaaaay less bitchy, but my cycles are all over the place (last one was 32 days and light, the one before was 35 days and super nasty heavy). If you’re under 35, you should get back to a regular cycle within 2-3 months…
AP
PS: good for you!
I’m not trying to get pregnant, if thats why you’re congratulating me…I’ve been on the pill for a long time and I’m tired of feeling like a farm animal stuffed with hormones. There are other methods of birth control out there. I’m 26 and I had almost no period for the past 3 years, while on the pill so I don’t know what to expect. I guess I shouldn’t stress just yet. I don’t know if I should count the cycle from when I started the last pack of pills or from I stopped them, because I did have a “period” after taking half a pack.
No the congrats is for deciding to get OFF it 
I was on BCP from 16 til 34, then off for 1.5 yrs then back on for ~2 more then off for good. Give it time, but do mention it to your doc. Count from when you had your “half period” and watch for 2-4 months, then go see doc. You’ll prolly be due for your annual pap anyways… Your cycle should return unless you are super low BF, have an eating disorder, train in excess of 35+hrs/week, or had late menarche… but I vote with don’t stress on it now, give it a bit of time…
AP
I’ve been off the pill for about six months now - and all feelings of “normal” have disappeared. I’m lucky to feel “normal” about 10 days out of the month. My doctor (excellent gyno) said it would probably take me close to a year to get “normal”, especially since I’m a petite endurance athlete that has been on it for years, and years, and years.
Here’s my experience Regular cycles - yes, almost immediately Headaches - yes during the cycle Cramps - yes during the cycle Weight - actually lost about 2-3 lbs within a month of not taking the pill Acne - OMG, it won’t stop especially around the chin and jaw line. I didn’t even have it this bad in High School. I found the Aveda version of Proactiv that I’m going to start using soon. Bloating - so bad that I sometimes feel like I’m 6 months prego Swelling - during the cycle, the girls on top ( men if you’re reading this, I’m not posting pic so don’t even bring it up )
BTW - I am trying to get prego, so if you have any “housewives” tips and tricks let me know (i.e. does holding your legs up in the air after the “fun” really increase your chances).
If you’re under 35, you should get back to a regular cycle within 2-3 months…
nope. i quit taking pills in feb/10 after 15 years, and at 31 i’m still not on a regular cycle yet. then again, i kind of hormonally fuct myself; quit taking pills in feb, quit smoking in mar, then quit eating meat in may. back to omnivore now, and hoping things will settle down, since i had some weight gain and obvious nutritional deficiencies in the last 6 months.
never really got more than a bit of bloat and nausea, with a small (confirmed by my husband amount of extra moodiness whether i was taking pills or not. i’m anywhere from 3-7 weeks between cycles, to the point that i ended up wasting money on a pregnancy test one month after a broken condom incident!
cheers!
-mistress k
Yeah you have a bunch of other factors going on… and I suspect that many of us chicks who race/post here do. I was back to normal when I was off within a few months, but after stopping a few years ago (my 2nd time stopping and LAST!), the cycle came back within a month but was highly irregular. The first few months were very very light, almost a mini cycle, but then after that it went all haywire because of (as you wrote) all sorts of other factors. Some of us will have regular cycles until menopause, some of us will be all over the place our entire reproductive lives, most of us will be somewhere in the middle… you and are are in the middle believe it or not
AP
i can’t even remember if i was regular prior to starting BC - too long ago! i just don’t stress about it now
cheers!
-mistress k
i stopped after 15+ years…(I am 34). For awhile…NOTHING happened. Other than my libido increased a titch and I finally lost that last 5 lbs I wanted to. Now (8 months later)…random, long-lasting periods. Hormonal headaches. And acne. Lots and lots of acne (actually, BACKne :(). And my hair is all falling out.
i stopped after 15+ years…(I am 34). For awhile…NOTHING happened. Other than my libido increased a titch and I finally lost that last 5 lbs I wanted to. Now (8 months later)…random, long-lasting periods. Hormonal headaches. And acne. Lots and lots of acne (actually, BACKne :(). And my hair is all falling out.
good grief. I sure hope that doesn’t happen to me. I’ve not noticed anything different, no cycle yet but then again, before I hardly had it either. I do NOT need to be 42 with wrinkles, gray hair, AND acne! I had hoped I’d lose a bit of weight, but not so much.
Yep, I get the backne as well, ugh it sucks, esp under the racer-back bras. Sometimes I break out so badly on my face it’s horrible, have to use cover-up (I never wear make-up except mascara). I look 17 but my bod sure doesn’t Ha! how’s that for cruel eh?
AP
What you had after you went off the pill was just a “withdrawal” bleed. It may take a few months for your cycles to get back to normal (if more than 90 days go to your OBGYN). If you don’t get it back, have low body fat and train for triathlons you most likely have hypothalamic amenorrhea and will either need to gain more weight, train less, eat more or all three to get it back (or take ovulation meds).
Good luck!
fyi: my acne (which has been pretty constant since i was 14) has settled down a LOT since i backed off on sugar, grains and dairy. i can actually predict breakouts based on my nutritional intake now, regardless of my cycle.
may want to try at least gluten & casein free to control it if it’s a pain.
cheers!
-mistress k
yeah I don’t eat a lot of sugar as is, and have found that I am allergic to chocolate (how sad is that), either of those will certainly exacerbate it.
AP
even if it means the occasional pimple, i flatly refuse to give up the single square of lindt excellence 90% i eat for dessert pretty much every day
cheers!
-mistress k
i.e. does holding your legs up in the air after the “fun” really increase your chances.
I would say yes
Finish the job in missionary position, have a pillow under your butt to elevate and DO NOT MOVE for 5-10 minutes.
Worked twice for us. I’m sure there are a lot of other factors involved, but why not help your chances by using gravity?
I stopped the pill at the end of August, had one cycle, and was preggo by October. You also have to find your fertile days–about 10 days from the first day of your last period. We had two go-rounds during that time (1 to 3 days depending on the person) and one of them had the magic bullet. (I’m also 35 and had been on the pill for about 10 years). One other little tip my cousin’s wife gave me was take Robitussin a few days before and during the fertile days. It thins mucus down there just like in your lungs and lets the little swimmers through easier. Not sure if it’s true but between the calendar math and cough syrup, we got pregnant way faster that we expected.