Are you anxious about coming off the pill? It can be frightening to stop taking the pill, especially if you’ve been on it for a long time.
When you first started using birth control pills, you probably noticed some changes, such as nausea or sore breasts. So it’s understandable if you start to feel different once you stop taking them. Continue reading to learn more about how stopping the contraceptive pill may affect your health.
What is the pill?
The pill, commonly known as birth control pills or oral contraceptives, are drugs that you use to prevent conception. The pill includes hormones that prevent an egg from being released each month (ovulation). This is one of the most common and effective methods of birth control.[1]
Are there any benefits to coming off the pill?
Have you been trying to figure out what’s causing your migraines and mood swings? According to the NHS, headaches, breast tenderness, and mood swings could be ‘minor’ or ‘temporary’ adverse effects of the combined tablet.
Even though taking the pill is an effective method of birth control, if you’re experiencing side effects, it’s generally advisable to speak with your doctor and explore alternate birth control options rather than suffering in silence. [2]
How can coming off the pill affect my body?
Birth control comes in various forms, such as the patch, a vaginal ring, hormonal IUDs, injections, or an implanted rod. All of these hormone-based birth control options can change how you feel.
For example, you may notice a change in your vaginal secretions, which can go from thick, sticky, and white to more slippery or turn like raw egg white at the time of ovulation. Everyone is different, and some of the side effects you experience may be related to symptoms you were experiencing before taking the drug. For example:
• Your cycle may become irregular: Even if your cycle was regular before you started birth control, it may take a few months for it to return to normal once you’ve stopped. And if you had irregular periods before, you’ll be facing that issue again because the hormones in the pill gave you a consistent schedule. If your periods have completely stopped, it may take a few months for them to resume.
• Acne and unwanted hair are likely to reappear. The pill can rectify a hormonal imbalance that causes your skin to break out and hair to grow in places it shouldn’t. However, the solution is only temporary; you may face a hormone imbalance again after you stop taking birth control, returning the problems.
• Your periods may become heavier and crampy. Your heavy flow will likely return if you had a lot of bleeding and pain before you started.
• You will be protected from some cancers. Long-term use of the pill lowers your chance of ovarian and endometrial cancer, which is one of the finest “side effects.” And, if you took it for a long time, the benefit continues even after you quit. The same can be said for several non-cancerous breast issues, such as fibrocystic breast disease and fibroids.
• Your libido may increase. A small percentage of women discover that taking the pill reduces their libido, mainly if they use very low-dose pills. As a result, a small number of women, about 15% in one research, may find themselves in a better mood after they quit using birth control. [3]
Is it safe to come off the pill?
Coming off the pill is risk-free. Although your menstrual cycle may be disrupted, your period should return within three months. However, regardless of the form of contraception you’re using, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor first. You can obtain advice and learn about potential side effects to be mentally prepared to deal with them.[4]
Does the pill have any side effects?
Like every medication, oral contraceptives have the following side effects:
• It can cause headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood swings at first; if they do not go away after a few months, switching to a different pill may help.
• It does not protect you from any sexually transmitted diseases (STI).
• It may elevate blood pressure.
• It’s been linked to a higher risk of significant health problems.
• In the first few months of taking the pill, you may experience spotting and bleeding.[5]
Can I order the pill online?
You can order the following contraceptive pills from E-surgery online and have them delivered to your doorstep:
Before starting a new medicine, patients should always check with their doctor to see if there are any drug interactions.
Sources
- Birth Control Pills: Types, Effectiveness, and More (healthline.com)
- Health Benefits Of Coming Off The Pill | Glamour UK (glamourmagazine.co.uk)
- 10 Things That May Happen When You Quit Birth Control Pills (webmd.com)
- How to Safely Stop Birth Control (webmd.com)
- Combined pill (NHS)
Further Reading
- Stopping the Pill? 10 Ways Your Body May Change (WebMD)
- 6 Things That Can Happen When You Stop Taking The Pill (Health Essentials)
- What happens to your body when you come off the pill? (Patient)
