Going off BC

Today is the first day in about 10 years I did not take BC. I waited until the end of my last pack. We will be TTC probably in the spring.

I'm wondering, if there were any, side effects or changes in you once you went off BC. I am dreading my next period since I originally went on BC to control heavy flow and painful cramps. But honestly I was having so many other symptoms on the BC that the pros outweighed the negatives for me.

Re: Going off BC

my periods were horrible when I got off BC (was on it for more than 7 years). Also, I put on some extra weight. Not sure if it was my fault or the BC!

Re: Going off BC

This is my third cycle off of birth control and the last two were perfect 27 day cycles. The only weird thing I experienced the first month off was I felt myself ovulatre and had spotting that day. It was weird! I also was overly emotional due to the change in hormones. GL!

Re: Going off BC

I have been off BC for a year now (started TTC a few months ago). I only noticed a bit more cramps and heavier flow after a few months, but still fairly regular periods.

It's liberating going off BC!!

Re: Going off BC

My 1st month off the pill i was EXTREMELY moody!! Fighting with DH: overly emotional. it was bad!! i do feel i had a little weight gain too!

Re: Going off BC

Didn't it feel good to throw your last pack away?

I just stopped BC about 2 months ago, and I've had one period so far since going off of it. I used to get really bad cramps and heavy periods before BC, but I was surprised that my first one off of BC was pretty light and I didn't have cramps. It was very similar to how it was when I was on BC. I hope it stays like that!

Re: Going off BC

I was on BC for 15 yrs when I first went off it to TTC the first time. I had three 6 week cycles. After that all hell broke loose!
I then went over 100 days (I lost count) with no period. I took provera to bring on a period. Got my period exactly 2 weeks later. At that point we were NOT TTC...I had been watching my cycles and wanted to wait to figure them out before TTC. I realized I had wacky cycles and I'd never figure them out so after the provera we started TTC. I used ovulation sticks and didn't ovulate until cd53....a full 2 weeks later I got my BFP and I now have a 15 mo old DD.
So with my insane cycles...I went off the pill in December and did not conceive until the following September. I still say we conceived on our first try though b/c we used condoms up until after the provera.

I went on BCP after my pregnancy. Was on it for 7 or 8 mos. Then went off again to TTC #2. I thought I was in store for wacky cycles again but I had all normal 28-30 day cycles. Again I got pregnant first month trying but I unfortunately just had a miscarriage.

As for side effects - my cramps off the pill were worse on some cycles...other cycles I felt nothing. My face did break out a lot at first...for me that was probably the worst thing that happened when going off the pill.

Good luck!
Since you are going off now and waiting to TTC...I recommend the Clear Blue Easy Ovulation monitor. It's not cheap but you can get it cheaper on Ebay. It really helped me with my cycles and knowing when I ovulated. It took a few months for me to start working b/c of my long cycles at first...but this 2nd time around it worked great since I was more regular.

Re: Going off BC

Thanks everyone!!! It does feel good going off - it had to happen sometime and I happened to order my 3 mth supply late so I didn't even have a pack for today - so I fugured what the hell!!


Before BC I was like clockwork, 28 days since my first period. I'm hoping I go back to that. Just need to make sure we have a pack up form of protection since I'm on weekly allergy shots until the end of the winter and you can't get pregnant on that since you have a higher chance of miscarriage.

Re: Going off BC

i remember feeling more moody when i was just off BC. it took about a couple of months for my periods and moods to go back to "normal".

Re: Going off BC

I had some side effects from coming off BCP after being on it for 3years. My periods were a little bit heavier, had more cramping and bad acne but after a couple of months my body regulated and it became tolerable.