Going off birth control...can anyone relate?

amybee84 · May 2011

Hi all! First post and super-excited and full of newbie energy.

I am 26 years old. I have been on birth control for 12 years (I started at age 14 to help with acne).

My husband and I will be TTC, starting next month! I stopped taking my birth control after my last cycle.

I'm only one week in, and I have been having massive headaches, and am easily moved to tears and/or anger. I'm not someone who is usually hormonally affected like this (I always just feel like myself, even on my period). Now I wonder if I just haven't known my true self all these years, and the hormones were keeping me balanced and in check!

Anyone else been through this? Other side effects to share? Also, I know it varies per woman, but I'd LOVE to hear from anyone who also was on BC for a long time. I want to hear firsthand if it took a long time to conceive, or if it was quick.

Thanks!

Lilmel48 · May 2011

I can't help with how long it took to conceive, as I don't have any children. When I went off the pill ( due to hormones, not because I was TTC), I had headaches for about 2 weeks. They went away after that, and I felt much better.

I hope your headaches go away soon and your body regulates quickly. It can take a bit for your body to regulate after being on the pill, especially since you have been on it for 12 years. Good Luck!

greenclown · May 2011

It took aver 3 months to have a period, and I was a mess right before and during. Thankfully, it was only that one time. We didn't start trying for about four months after I stopped, and then it took about 6 months. Everyone is different, though.

sourapplemartini · May 2011

It's kind of like going through withdrawal. I wouldn't worry too much about what's happening now-- it could be your new "normal" or might not.

I was on BCPs for 8 years and got pregnant on our second cycle. I recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility-- it's an amazing book about what really happens to get pregnant-- and watching the Great Sperm Race on YouTube. GL!

lauraliz24 · May 2011

Just my two cents, but you JUST went off birth control a week ago, so yeah, you're going to get some side effects. BCPs keep your hormones at a stable threshold, and now you took away the stability, so they're all over the place. Give it some time to even out. And, check out fertilityfriend.com to start tracking your BBT to see when/how your ovulation cycles work out. Also, if you haven't already, buy Taking Charge of your Fertility. I'm a newbie as well, not even trying yet, but I got the book and now I feel much more in control of my body/fertility signs when we decide we're ready. I don't have any advice on how long it will take you to get pregnant...

CWinfree85 · May 2011

I got my period after going off of BCP. I had headaches for a while and my boobs were super sore for the first cycle after. No serious side effects, but everyone is different.

amybee84 · May 2011

Thank you! It helps to know I'm not alone!

amybee84 · May 2011

A close friend actually loaned me a copy of Taking Charge. I have been charting, but as you don't ovulate on BCP, so far my temperature has been steady. I am eager to get to know my body on its own, and the cycle it falls into.

staycee · May 2011

I had been on the pill for 14 years. Going off I had weight gain - but that also coincided with recently getting married at the time and not trying so hard (to get into the wedding dress). Who knows.

It took us 20 cycles to conceive #1

Jason'swife · May 2011

I was a disaster for a good 6 months after coming off the pill (after 10+ years). I didn't have a period for months, and had to use progesterone cream to jump start things. It was a good 12 months before my cycle was "fixed". Most people don't have nearly as many issues as I did though. Hopefully your problems will resolve quickly. Good luck.

robinsokj · May 2011

I got a bfp 3 weeks after going off the pill.

I don't remember any weird moodiness

happysong · May 2011

Hi!

You already know my story...but I thought I'd chime in. I'm not sure if I had moodiness (I probably did!). I know I had a lot of acne though - ugh! Got the BFP 8 months later (6 of those where with charting, and possible (?) sperm issues...still not really 100% sure if there was ever an issue.)

goofyteacher · May 2011

I was mess with headaches, crying, crabbiness, etc. for a solid 3 months. We conceived 10 months after going off of the pill.

horizon1322 · May 2011

Well, the BCP kept my PCOS in check, so in going off it, I had acne, weight gain, and extremely irregular periods. After 9 months of charting and annovulation, I was diagnosed with PCOS, began Metformin, and, five months later, got my BFP. Good luck!

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