How can you prepare your body to stop taking birth control pills. What are common symptoms after discontinuing oral contraceptives. How long does it take for hormones to balance after stopping birth control. What are natural alternatives to manage menstrual symptoms.

Understanding the Impact of Birth Control on Your Body

Birth control has been a revolutionary tool for women’s reproductive health, offering control over family planning and menstrual symptoms. However, many women who have been on birth control since their teens or early twenties are now seeking to understand their natural hormonal cycles. Whether you’re planning to conceive, exploring postpartum options, or simply wanting to reconnect with your body’s natural rhythms, stopping birth control is a significant decision that requires careful consideration.

Hormonal contraceptives work by suppressing the body’s natural hormonal fluctuations, including ovulation and menstruation. While this can effectively prevent pregnancy and manage certain menstrual symptoms, it may also mask underlying hormonal imbalances or health conditions. As a result, discontinuing birth control can sometimes lead to a challenging transition period as your body readjusts to its natural hormonal state.

Common Reasons for Discontinuing Birth Control

Women choose to stop taking birth control for various reasons:

• Desire to conceive
• Concern about long-term effects of synthetic hormones
• Interest in exploring natural family planning methods
• Dissatisfaction with side effects
• Wanting to understand their natural menstrual cycle

Regardless of the reason, it’s crucial to approach this transition with informed strategies to support your body’s natural hormone balance.

What to Expect When Stopping Birth Control

The timeline for hormonal balance after discontinuing birth control varies from woman to woman. Some may experience a return to regular menstrual cycles within a couple of months, while others may take six months or longer to fully regulate. During this transition period, it’s common to experience various symptoms as your body readjusts to its natural hormonal rhythm.

Potential Post-Birth Control Symptoms

• Acne flare-ups
• Irregular or missed periods
• Heavier menstrual flow
• Changes in mood or libido
• Temporary hair loss
• Weight fluctuations

These symptoms can be indicators of underlying hormonal imbalances that were previously masked by birth control. If you initially started birth control to manage symptoms like menstrual cramps, heavy periods, or acne, these issues may resurface and require alternative management strategies.

Preparing Your Body to Stop Taking Birth Control

To minimize potential side effects and support a smoother transition off birth control, consider implementing these four key strategies:

1. Optimize Your Nutrition
2. Support Your Gut Health
3. Manage Stress Levels
4. Consider Supplementation

1. Optimize Your Nutrition

A nutrient-dense diet is crucial for supporting hormonal balance. Focus on incorporating:

• Plenty of leafy greens and colorful vegetables
• High-quality proteins (e.g., grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, organic eggs)
• Healthy fats (e.g., avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil)
• Complex carbohydrates (e.g., sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice)

These foods provide essential nutrients that support hormone production and metabolism, helping your body transition more smoothly off birth control.

2. Support Your Gut Health

The gut plays a crucial role in hormone balance. To support optimal gut health:

• Incorporate probiotic-rich foods (e.g., yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut)
• Consume prebiotic fibers to feed beneficial gut bacteria
• Stay hydrated
• Consider a high-quality probiotic supplement

A healthy gut microbiome can help regulate estrogen levels and support overall hormonal balance.

3. Manage Stress Levels

Chronic stress can significantly impact hormonal balance. Implement stress-reduction techniques such as:

• Regular exercise
• Meditation or mindfulness practices
• Adequate sleep (aim for 7-9 hours per night)
• Engaging in hobbies or activities you enjoy

By managing stress, you support your body’s ability to produce and regulate hormones effectively.

4. Consider Supplementation

Certain supplements can support hormonal balance and ease the transition off birth control:

• B-complex vitamins
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Vitamin D

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, as individual needs may vary.

Natural Alternatives for Managing Menstrual Symptoms

Many women fear the return of menstrual symptoms they originally sought to manage with birth control. However, there are numerous natural alternatives to address these concerns:

For Heavy Periods:

• Iron-rich foods or supplements to prevent anemia
• Herbal remedies like shepherd’s purse or yarrow
• Acupuncture

For Menstrual Cramps:

• Heat therapy (e.g., hot water bottles, heating pads)
• Regular exercise, particularly yoga
• Magnesium supplementation
• Essential oils like lavender or peppermint

For Acne:

• Balanced diet low in refined sugars and dairy
• Proper skincare routine
• Zinc supplementation
• Herbal remedies like tea tree oil or witch hazel

These natural approaches can often effectively manage symptoms without the need for hormonal intervention.

Tracking Your Cycle After Stopping Birth Control

After discontinuing birth control, tracking your menstrual cycle can provide valuable insights into your hormonal health and fertility. Consider using:

• Basal body temperature tracking
• Cervical mucus observations
• Ovulation predictor kits
• Menstrual cycle tracking apps

These methods can help you identify patterns in your cycle, predict ovulation, and understand your body’s unique rhythms.

When to Seek Professional Help

While some irregularity is expected when transitioning off birth control, certain symptoms may warrant professional attention. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Absence of menstruation for more than 3-6 months
• Extremely heavy or prolonged bleeding
• Severe acne or other skin issues
• Persistent mood changes or depression
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Difficulty conceiving after 6-12 months of trying

A healthcare professional can help identify any underlying hormonal imbalances or health conditions and provide appropriate treatment options.

Stopping birth control is a personal decision that can lead to a deeper understanding of your body’s natural rhythms. By implementing supportive strategies and being patient with the transition process, you can successfully navigate this change and take control of your hormonal health. Remember, every woman’s experience is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Listen to your body, track your symptoms, and don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance when needed. With the right approach, you can embrace your natural hormonal cycles and find effective, holistic ways to manage your reproductive health.

4 Ways to Prepare Your Body to Get Off Birth Control. A Guide to Getting off Birth Control and Taking Control of Your Hormones — Dr Jenna

Women’s HealthHormonesFertility

Jul 16

Written By Jenna Rayachoti

A Guide to Getting off Birth Control and Taking Control of Your Hormones

The inception of birth control options for women was a significant breakthrough in providing women with more control over their reproductive choices, which is awesome! However, I’ve noticed that many women have been on birth control since their teens or early 20s and don’t know what their natural cycle looks like. And I’m noticing more and more that women want to learn more about their hormones, their cycles and the natural ebb and flow of their body’s rhythms. 

Maybe you are ready to have a baby. Or you are postpartum, done having babies and wanting to experience your natural cycles. Or you are just done or want a break from using hormones and want to reconnect with their body. All great reasons!

But, for many women, this is a rough transition. Their periods return as painful, heavy, and irregular, and they have wild PMS. And they don’t have the tools to help manage their symptoms naturally or get to the root of this hormonal imbalance.

The only tool they were given way back when to address painful, heavy, irregular periods and wild PMS was birth control. So then they’re stuck or feel very frustrated with their body and their choices.

But I have good news!

Here’s a secret – birth control is NOT the only tool to help you manage crazy periods. There are a lot of other tools. And I teach these tools to my patients all day long!

If you’re ready to get off birth control because you want to get pregnant or you’re just done with synthetic hormones, it just might be time!

Why Women Want to Get off Birth Control

No matter what type of hormonal birth control you’re on, contraceptives establish hormonal control over your body – suppressing our natural cycles of ovulation, menstruation, and natural hormonal fluctuations – potentially masking underlying conditions never addressed. Plus, birth control has several side effects that are often not discussed. 

Women have been carrying the burden of birth control messing with our hormones, carrying babies, birthing babies, feeding babies, etc. Yes, it’s an honor to grow and raise children for many women. But many are also DONE with things hijacking their hormones and messing with their bodies.

So, if you’re ready to get off birth control because you want to get pregnant, stop putting hormones into your body, or just want to be free from birth control, you’re in the right place.  

Common Symptoms After Stopping Birth Control

I get a common question: How long will it take my hormones to balance after stopping birth control? The answer: it depends. 

For some women, their period may return to normal in as little as a couple of months. For others, it may take some time before your hormones begin to balance – sometimes six months, sometimes longer. And for many women, it’s a bumpy ride post-birth control.

Your body needs time to wake back up and begin the natural flow and fluctuations of hormones throughout the month. And it’s common, though not necessarily “normal,” to experience symptoms after stopping birth control. These can all indicate an underlying hormone imbalance masked by the hormones in birth control. This is especially true if you started birth control for non-contraceptive reasons – menstrual cramps, heavy periods, or acne.

Here are some of the most common symptoms women come to me for help with:

Acne.

Increased levels of androgens are associated with acne. Because hormonal birth control reduces the amount of circulating androgens, particularly testosterone in the body, it’s common for women to experience acne flare-ups as their levels return to normal. If persistent, it might be worth exploring some reasons behind elevated androgens, such as PCOS or increased sensitivity to androgens. For more on holistically supporting acne, check this out. And for myths and facts about PCOS, check out this blog!

Irregular or missed periods.

Your period can be sporadic when it first returns or may not return for a few months, which is normal. However, you are more likely to have irregular periods if you had irregular periods before you started birth control and the underlying reason was never addressed. This may also be due to conditions such as hypothyroidism or PCOS. 

Heavier periods.

Hormonal birth control limits the growth of the uterine lining resulting in a lighter monthly period. Heavy bleeding may return if you began taking birth control to manage your heavy periods and the underlying cause was never addressed. Persistent, heavy bleeding is often a sign of hormonal imbalance and could be due to PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids.

Painful periods.

Hormonal birth control suppresses the amount of bleeding and prostaglandins – the chemical that contributes to menstrual cramps – leading to decreased cramping while on birth control. When you stop taking birth control, cramping can increase. If painful periods were the reason you were put on birth control or you’re worried about it, check out this blog about natural tools to help manage painful periods.

Headaches.

Stopping hormonal birth control may cause headaches due to the withdrawal from hormones and also due to the natural hormone fluctuations women experience around their cycle. If headaches are persistent, this could indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance.

If you want to get off birth control, but not sure where to start…

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You’re ready to say goodbye to birth control and balance your hormones. But you also might be scared of what your body, your periods, and your cycle will feel like without birth control.

Ya, I get it!

If you are coming off of birth control, it’s best to think about preparing your body two to three months before stopping. This will allow you to experience a smoother transition. And the good news is that there are many effective ways to balance your hormones and ease symptoms experienced as you free your body from synthetic hormones. 

Below are many of the ways I support women when they are interested in coming off birth control. We certainly do NOT utilize all of them. Based on a woman’s history (particularly WHY she went on birth control to begin with) and her goals, we strategize and come up with a plan to support her individual body. And of course, check with your doctor before starting any new diets, supplements, or herbs.

1. Nutrition.

On oral birth control, the body can become deficient in essential nutrients, including vitamins B2, B6, and B12; vitamins C and E; folate, zinc, and magnesium. Begin by giving your body lots of extra nutrients with an emphasis on nutrient-dense foods at every meal, including:

• Fiber through lots of veggies and whole grains. Higher consumption of fiber has been linked with the body’s ability to balance reproductive hormones.

• Healthy fats. Foods like avocado, almonds, flax seeds, and fatty fish are essential for proper hormone production and function.

• Complex carbohydrates. Avoid eating simple carbs (pasta, crackers, chips, bread, for ex) alone to avoid blood sugar spikes and crashes.

• Adequate Protein. Varied types of protein throughout the day to help stabilize your blood sugar regulation, mental health, and hormone balancing.

• Phytoestrogens. Balance the synthetic estrogens from oral birth control with phytoestrogens like flax seeds. Whole soy in moderation, including edamame and tempeh are also phytoestrogens.

• Go easy on sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. These all lead to more inflammatory signals that contribute to imbalanced hormones and unpleasant symptoms. 

2. Promote Healthy Detox.

Hormones are processed through the liver and the balance of your natural sex hormones depends on the health of your liver and gut. (Read more about the gut, hormones and your estrobolome here). If we support the body’s and liver’s natural detoxification process, we can reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalance, including PMS, irregular periods, heavy periods, and hormonal acne. Read more about promoting detoxification and give the following a try:

• Movement. Do something that you love daily! Whatever it is, just move your body!

• Sweat! Sweating can help with hormone balance, digestion, mental health, energy, etc. Aim for a sauna or sweat session one to two times per week.

• Poop. Daily. Pooping helps to get rid of excess hormones! Fiber, water, colorful veggies, and movement all promote healthy pooping.

• Avoid endocrine-disrupting hormones (EDCs). We don’t want to burden our body further with more hormone disruption. Learn how you can reduce your exposure to EDCs here. 

3. Supplements and Herbs.

Targeted herbal supplementation can help support hormone balance and improve essential nutrients that may have become depleted with the use of oral birth control.

Vitamins, Minerals and Nutrients:

• B-complex

• Magnesium

• Zinc

• Vitamin C

• NAC

Herbs:

• Vitex, called Chaste Berry Extract, regulates ovulation, increases fertility, and improves progesterone.

• Liver-supporting herbs such as Milk Thistle, Turmeric, Burdock, Dandelion Root can all help your liver process synthetic and excess hormones, making your transition off of birth control a smoother and more enjoyable process.

• Saw palmetto can be helpful for acne flare-ups after stopping birth control.

4. Cycle Tracking.

Bring awareness to your body and take charge of your menstrual cycle and fertility with cycle tracking. Try the following tips, and read more about cycle tracking here. 

• Find a cycle tracking app that you love.

• Track your period, including how long it is and the quality and quantity of flow.

• Note any spotting or clots.

• Track your cervical fluid (the clear, stretch, lubricative fluid that indicates ovulation is near!)

• Document any PMS symptoms, including cramping, breast tenderness, headaches, backaches, mood changes, etc. 

• Chart your basal body temperature.

Get Off Birth Control and Become Confident in Your Body

Are you ready to be FREE from birth control? You might be ready to get pregnant, or your husband just had a vasectomy 👏🏽, or you’re ready to ditch synthetic hormones or you’re ready to connect with your body and your natural cycle. 

Whatever your reason, we can dive into your individual needs together. Schedule an alignment call with me today to start your journey off of birth control and onto balanced hormones.

Here’s to happy hormones and balanced bodies, ladies! 🤗

Please note that the information provided here is for general educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are considering discontinuing birth control (or any other medication) or starting a new supplement, please consult with your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider before doing so. Your doctor can provide you with personalized advice based on your medical history and current health status.

References:

 “What causes amenorrhea? – National Institute of Child Health and ….” 31 Jan. 2017, https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/amenorrhea/conditioninfo/causes. Accessed 7 Jun. 2022.

 “Effect of daily fiber intake on reproductive function: the BioCycle Study. ” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2744625/. Accessed 7 Jun. 2022.

Women’s HealthFertilityHormonesAcneFemale CyclePeriod Health

Jenna Rayachoti

Stopping birth control: Side effects and remedies

When people stop using birth control, they may experience side effects, including irregular menstrual cycles, cramping, acne, and weight changes.

To come off of birth control people can simply stop taking pills or removing birth control rings. However, implants and other forms of birth control require professional treatment.

There has been little research into the adverse effects of discontinuing birth control, but anecdotal reports suggest that some people experience health issues and physical changes.

Stopping birth control can cause different effects in different people. Below, learn what stopping entails, what issues to expect, and how to manage them.

Share on PinterestA person may experience changes in their menstrual cycle when they stop taking birth control.

Stopping any form of hormonal birth control removes external sources of progesterone or progesterone and estrogen. This changes the levels of these hormones in the body, which can cause temporary side effects.

Once a person stops using hormonal birth control, there is most likely a higher chance of pregnancy.

Some studies have found that after a person stops taking birth control, there is a delay in the ability to conceive for the first few months. However, research suggests that, overall, contraceptive use does not negatively affect fertility.

Learn more about getting pregnant after stopping birth control here.

Always speak to a medical professional before discontinuing birth control. They can provide guidance about doing this correctly and safely.

In most cases, stopping birth control is simple. If a person is on the birth control pill, they simply take no more pills, whether or not they have finished their pack. A person with a NuvaRing can remove it themselves.

For someone with an internal device, such as an implant, discontinuing requires a minor medical procedure to remove it.

Intrauterine device removal

Intrauterine device (IUD) removal is typically not painful, though it can be uncomfortable.

If the IUD becomes embedded in the uterus, the doctor may use a hysteroscope to see the issue.

Some people bleed or have bloody discharge after the procedure.

In some cases, a person has a fever, chills, or heavy bleeding following an IUD removal. If this happens, the person should receive immediate medical attention.

Learn more about IUD removal here.

Anecdotal reports indicate that discontinuing hormonal birth control can cause:

• changes in the menstrual cycle
• heavier periods
• cramping during ovulation
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• changes in mood
• weight changes
• acne
• unwanted hair growth
• headaches
• tender breasts
• changes in sex drive

Some of these effects, such as menstrual cycle changes, may be longer-lasting.

For example, doctors have described “postpill amenorrhea.” This refers to a person missing their period right after going off the birth control pill. It may take a few months for the natural menstrual cycle to return

Women who stop using an IUD may experience bleeding, bloody discharge, or painful cramps after the removal.

Also, some people have reported a phenomenon called Mirena crash after the removal of the device. This involves longer-lasting psychological, neurological, and physical issues. No research into this currently exists.

Clinical studies have yet to explore the adverse effects of stopping hormonal birth control. The specific effects may depend on the type of birth control and factors specific to each person.

Just like the side effects of starting hormonal birth control, the side effects of stopping it are temporary. Most disappear over time without treatment.

The best approach is to manage each individually — for example, by applying cold compresses to sore, tender breasts or taking pain relief medication for headaches.

Anyone concerned about weight changes after stopping hormonal birth control can follow nutrition and physical activity guidelines to maintain or achieve a healthy weight.

The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, for example, clearly set activity- and diet-related targets for people by age group.

Once a person stops using hormonal birth control, their menstrual cycle may return to how it was before the medication began.

If a person had heavy periods and PMS before starting hormonal birth control, these issues may return after stopping the medication.

Learn how to manage heavy periods here.

Side effects of stopping birth control disappear over time, though they can last longer for some people. If any adverse effects do not seem to be resolving, consult a doctor.

It is especially important to consult a healthcare provider if periods do not return within 6 months of stopping hormonal birth control. If this happens, a person may require treatment to restore the regularity of their cycle.

After IUD removal, a person should receive immediate medical care if they experience a fever, chills, or excessive vaginal bleeding.

Some people report side effects after discontinuing hormonal birth control. While very little research has looked into this, any adverse effects may result from the changes in levels of hormones.

The side effects are temporary and may include acne, weight changes, and changes in mood. IUD removal can sometimes cause vaginal bleeding, which should disappear within a few days.

Other side effects signal the need for urgent medical care, such as a fever, chills, and excessive bleeding.

Always consult with a doctor before stopping hormonal birth control. They can recommend how to do it safely and describe what to expect.

how to stop drinking correctly, tips

I abruptly stopped taking birth control pills, and life cracked: the cycle went wrong, acne on my face, anxiety in my soul, chronic PMS and tears for no reason. Are oral contraceptives addictive?

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Contraceptive methods

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Generally speaking, there are only three main reasons why birth control is discontinued. You stop taking COCs (combined oral contraceptives) because:

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

• you are doing well, and you are thinking about the child;
• everything is bad with you and there is no more sex;
• you are doing well, but you are afraid to take “hormones” for a long time.

Let’s figure it out. how you can stop drinking contraceptive products in each of these cases, and whether it should be done.

Can you stop taking birth control pills

When you decide to stop taking oral contraceptives, you may encounter a number of small problems. Abrupt withdrawal of contraceptives is stressful for the body. As a rule, there is nothing hazardous to health in this if the drugs are not shown to you according to his condition. In any case, it is better to consult a gynecologist about how to stop drinking birth control pills.

Let’s try to understand in more detail the reasons that prompted you to give up pills, and find out how to stop taking birth control pills.

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Pregnancy decision

Modern hormonal contraceptives are often prescribed not only to protect against unwanted pregnancy, but, on the contrary, to speed up conception. As soon as you decide to stop drinking birth control pills, the so-called rebound effect sets in – the rested ovaries are actively taken to work. The chance of getting pregnant increases significantly. So at the same time as quitting birth control pills, immediately give up smoking and alcohol in any doses.

If you stopped taking birth control pills some time ago and you don’t have your period, then your wish might come true. The first check before visiting the gynecologist’s office can be a regular test from a pharmacy.

However, if you have abruptly stopped taking birth control pills, and pregnancy has not occurred within three months after stopping COCs, you should consult a doctor. And not only for you, but also for your beloved man: in about half of the cases, problems with conception are due to the state of men’s health.

By the way, it is the excessive activity of the ovaries, which returned to work after you decided to cancel OK, that creates the side effects that bother you so much. We are talking about complaints about cycle failure, abdominal pain, minor bleeding and other consequences of cancellation. Let them be considered a so-called side effect, but do not forget to inform your doctor about them.

Termination of relationship

He left you, you stopped taking pills. Or you quit it and the pills at the same time.

Can I stop taking birth control in this situation? If you were prescribed hormonal contraceptives solely to prevent pregnancy, then there is no need to continue taking them. In this case, the abolition of birth control pills is logical and understandable. And even if you meet a new love right tomorrow, it is better to use condoms at first: they protect against sexual infections.

When you start to trust each other, you will have to go to the doctor again to pick up contraceptives. Even if the previous ones were fine, during the period of forced abstinence, some changes could occur in the body. At the same time, you can check with the doctor how to properly stop drinking birth control pills, if the need arises.

“But if the drug is prescribed to help you cope with PMS, acne, or some other problem, giving up birth control pills is not necessary. Even in the absence of sexual activity,” says Natalya Boldyreva, gynecologist-endocrinologist at the Mother and Child clinic. In such a situation, before canceling contraceptives on your own initiative, consult with your doctor.

Long-term use

For some reason, many people believe that OCs are harmful to health and should not be taken for longer than 3-4 months, oral contraceptives must be stopped and “rest” from them. Let’s start with the fact that COCs are not prescribed for everyone. “If there are problems with the liver, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, disorders of fat metabolism, hypertension, then in some cases it makes sense to replace the pills with a hormonal vaginal ring or patch, and in others, to generally switch to other methods of contraception, such as barrier ones,” advises Dr. Boldyreva.

“But if there are no deviations and the doctor prescribed the pills, you should not take a break in taking COCs,” says Professor Alexander Tikhomirov. “From the moment of the last birth and until menopause, you can take the same contraceptives.” The consequences if you stop taking birth control pills after a few months of taking them will be the same as if you stopped drinking them after a few years. And the myth that every 3-4 months you need to interrupt the reception, apparently arose as the effect of a damaged phone. The fact is that 3-4 months after the appointment of OK, it is necessary for the doctor to evaluate the effect of the drug.

What happens when you stop taking birth control pills

Progestogens (progestins) stop entering the body, and this leads to the fact that ovulation is disinhibited, and the gonadotropic function of the pituitary gland is restored. At the same time, the synthesis of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones increases. Hormonal restructuring is a gradual process, so if you stop taking birth control pills and you don’t have your period on time, this may be due not only to a possible pregnancy, but also to functions that have not fully recovered. But do a test just in case.

As a rule, the reproductive system can take about one to two months to recover. If you stopped taking birth control pills in the middle of the cycle, it may take a little more time, if at the end – a little less, but everything is individual. Under the influence of changes in the hormonal background, the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle normalizes, the ability of the endometrium to implant is restored, and the viscosity of cervical mucus decreases. Simply put, the body returns to its natural state and becomes ready for pregnancy.

How to stop taking contraceptives correctly

If the decision to stop taking COCs is made, try not to engage in amateur activities. Even the intake of vitamins should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist, not to mention hormonal therapy. We will tell you how to stop drinking contraceptives correctly so that it does not negatively affect the body.

• See a gynecologist. It is better to the one who prescribed contraceptives so that the abolition of birth control pills takes place under his control.
• When can I stop taking birth control pills? Wait for the end of the cycle. If you still stop taking birth control pills in the middle of the cycle, be sure to tell your doctor about it. In this case, pregnancy could occur.
• Follow a dosage reduction schedule on the advice of a trusted professional.
• If you are diagnosed with anemia. then be prepared for a worsening of the condition due to an increase in blood loss after the withdrawal of OK. Maybe. change in therapy is required.
• Eat sensibly. After prolonged use of contraceptives, a deficiency of B vitamins is possible, so try to eat more foods rich in these vitamins, this will help the body recover faster.
• Drink herbal teas, such as vulgaris decoction, which has a beneficial effect on the cycle. But first, be sure to consult your doctor.
• Supplements with magnesium can help you cope with mood swings. By the way, magnesium is well absorbed and when erased into the skin, you can try this option after the abolition of oral contraceptives.

Cancellation of hormonal contraceptives: typical manifestations

Next, consider whether it is possible to stop taking birth control pills without consequences, and what they are. So what are you complaining about?

Mood swings

Even if the contraceptives were chosen correctly, some oddities are possible for the first couple of cycles after stopping contraceptives. You shouldn’t be afraid of this. The body needs a little time to adapt to new conditions, and your own hormones need to work without additional help.

What to do?

• You will be helped by vitamins with calcium or herbal preparation with common prune (vitex agnus-castus, abraham tree). This herb affects testosterone levels.
• Relaxation techniques will also help.
• It is good to introduce physical activity after the abolition of contraceptives.

Delay for no apparent reason

If the cycle was regular before the appointment of the GC, then there should not be a failure after the cancellation. Most often, it occurs in those who have complained about this before. In rare cases, menstruation is delayed by 2-3 cycles, because after the abolition of COCs, the body may not “turn on” immediately, it needs to get used to the changes. be prepared for this before you stop taking birth control pills.

What to do?

If you have stopped taking contraceptives, but there is no menstruation, a trip to the doctor is a must. This is important in order to exclude other causes of delay, including a quickly occurring pregnancy.

Changing the cycle

Normally, after stopping birth control pills, the cycle returns to its previous natural pattern, but sometimes it chooses a new rhythm – longer or shorter than the previous one.

What to do?

“If your cycle is set within 21-36 days and at the same time it is regular, then you have no reason to worry,” explains Dr. Boldyreva. Once you’ve decided to stop taking birth control pills, be prepared to be patient. Sometimes it just takes time to normalize.

Acne, blackheads, oily hair

They are most often caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body. With such problems, COCs with the so-called antiandrogenic effect are selected. If you abruptly stop taking birth control pills, the problems may return.

“Acne, acne, greasiness, and other skin problems associated with teenage hormonal instability will disappear as a result of taking COCs and should not return after cancellation,” explains gynecologist Natalya Boldyreva. “But if the causes are associated with endocrine disorders, then after some time after the abolition of COCs, the problems may return.”

What to do?

In this case, it is better to think carefully about how to stop taking birth control pills. You will either have to choose another, systemic, therapy, or return to COCs. Until the skin returns to normal, watch your diet and drink more fluids.

Overweight

Some women may gain 1.5-2 kg (due to slight fluid retention) when starting COCs. But the abolition of the contraceptive never gives such an effect, and you can stop drinking contraceptives without fear of weight gain. The reason for the extra pounds is something else, and it would be nice to go to the doctor and find the real reason.

What to do?

Think about it, maybe you seize stress after parting with your loved one? Stress (including before canceling OK) is better to be relieved in the gym, honestly!

Pain in the lower abdomen

As soon as I decided to stop taking birth control pills, attacks began to appear almost immediately. Occasionally, this happens after the pills are canceled, if the ovaries, having joined the work, begin to function too actively. They may even swell a little. But it passes quickly.

More often, pain occurs as a result of hypothermia or sexual infection. Or perhaps they are due not so much to the rejection of contraceptives, but, again, your feelings about parting or, conversely, the upcoming wedding. Sometimes the pains are related more to the digestive system than to the sexual.

What to do?

Do an ultrasound immediately after your period, make sure everything is normal. Drink motherwort at night for a month after stopping birth control. And watch your diet. It is important not only the quantity and quality of food, but also the manner: do not swallow food on the go, do not forget to chew properly. And don’t eat when stressed!

Oksana Alekseeva
Photo: FOTOIMEDIA, RUY SANCHEZ BLANCO, Getty Images

How to stop taking birth control pills

Detstrana. ru

179 Protection against unplanned pregnancy with hormonal birth control pills is by far the most popular method of contraception. But what if for some reason you need to stop taking them? How they can be replaced and what side effects can occur when pills are canceled, we will talk in more detail in our article.

© Detstrana.ru More than half of all young ladies of reproductive age resort to the method of contraception using hormonal pills. But in life, situations sometimes arise in which a girl wants to change the contraceptive or completely abandon protection. These situations usually include the following:

• you have decided to have a child,
• there has been a change in your marital status and the need for contraceptives has disappeared for some time,
• you have a fear of the consequences of long-term use of pills,
• you have health problems,
• you decide to change your contraceptive method,
• you become pregnant.

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If you stop taking pills, synthetic hormones that inhibit the formation of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones and block the process of ovulation cease to enter the body from the outside. The ovaries begin to work very actively, catching up. The body returns to its previous natural rhythm of functioning. This takes some time, during which the contraceptive withdrawal syndrome occurs.

How to stop taking birth control pills

Stopping birth control pills after a certain period of their use is usually necessary in two cases:

• the first is a complete rejection of hormonal oral contraceptives;
• the second is to change birth control pills.

In the first case, the question immediately arises of how and when to stop taking hormonal contraceptive pills so that the contraceptive withdrawal syndrome is less painful. In order for the period of withdrawal of oral contraceptive pills to be accompanied by a minimum of adverse reactions, three basic rules should be strictly followed:

• do not stop taking OC without prior consultation with a gynecologist;
• do not stop taking tablets without completing the cycle;
• Stopping contraceptives should not happen abruptly, but in accordance with the dose reduction scheme drawn up by the doctor.

If for some reason you just want to change one contraceptive pill for another, the doctor will tell you how to do it right. Never do it yourself. After all, even a doctor is not always able to determine how a particular organism will react to a change in the drug. Ideally, you should contact the same doctor who prescribed you previous contraceptives with this question.

In any case, every young lady should be aware that it is impossible to interrupt the started course of taking pills. After finishing a pack of pills, you should take a seven-day break, wait for your period, and only then start taking other contraceptives. A sharp transition to taking new pills is fraught with the following consequences:

• menstrual irregularities,
• uterine bleeding,
• pregnancy.

Cancellation of “Jess” and “Jess Plus”

Many girls ask themselves: “How to stop drinking Jess”. Gynecologists advise how to stop drinking Jess. The best and most sparing way is to finish the entire package of tablets. Note that the hormonal effect of the Jess tablet, despite stopping the intake, can persist for another week. There are also side effects.

For example, if Jess Plus is cancelled, side effects may appear as a lack of menstruation. If it was not followed or started with a great delay, this means that you need to be examined by a doctor. It is possible that there was a hormonal failure. Girls are also worried about another question: “Do I need to take a break when taking Jess?”. Gynecologists recommend every 3-4 months to take a break from taking hormonal pills.

Withdrawal of Janine – consequences

If the withdrawal of Janine is recommended, the consequences may be as follows: the ability to become pregnant may not be restored immediately (perhaps 2-3 months after the drug is discontinued). However, gynecologists do not exclude that the restoration of fertility is possible from the very first menstrual cycle after stopping Zhanin.

Cancellation of “Yarin”

The female body always reacts to the start or stop of taking hormonal contraceptives. If Yarina is canceled, the reaction of the body is different. And the girls write about this like this: “After the cancellation of Yarina, she recovered” or “After the cancellation of Yarina, the ovaries hurt.” This is a signal that a malfunction has occurred in the body, so you need to see a doctor.

How to replace birth control pills

No one doubts that hormonal contraceptives are unmatched in preventing unplanned pregnancy. Everyone also knows that the most popular among them are tablet forms. However, there are situations when, after a long-term use of birth control pills, it is necessary to replace them with something. It can be:

• subcutaneous implant,
• vaginal ring,
• hormonal contraceptive patch.

If the situation has developed in such a way that sexual intercourse has become irregular for some period, it is better to generally resort to temporary contraceptives (for example, spermicidal or barrier contraceptives).