Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This About Birth Control?
June 13, 2011 by Jenn
Credit: M.Markus
I have a bone to pick. A big bone, and its name is birth control.
Yes, I know, I know. Birth control is awesome. It allowed me to get frisky and not get knocked up all through my high school and college years. It cleared up my skin, giving me confidence during those itchy teen years. It took my PMS from full-out raging to just mild, occasional raging. And the fact that I could anticipate my period and therefore not wear white in Mr. Older’s history class that time of the month? Priceless. But in the 13 years that I’ve been on the pill (I’ve taken various types over the years depending on insurance and what was recommended—generics, brand names, the Patch, so many), I’m more than miffed that not one person in my life—personal or medical professional or even someone on the street—ever told me that it could take months for your body and your cycle to reset after stopping birth control. A few weeks, sure, but months? Months of waiting around, just hoping that your body and your little eggies are ready to drop it like it’s hot? Torture.
It took my body just shy of four months to finally have a period. That’s a long time. In that time waiting, I’ll admit I became darn worried. What if BC had jacked me up permanently? What if I had a full-out case of post pill amenorrhea that would require treatment and YEARS of possible waiting? And perhaps most frustrating: What if all those years worrying about NOT getting pregnant weren’t even necessary at all?! Oh, that would be ironic. After two months of waiting, I stopped checking my ovulation temperature and reading discussion boards (wow, those can take you to crazy worry town sometimes) because it was just stressing me out. And then I’d stress about stressing because that can affect ovulation. Sigh. I wear myself out sometimes.
The day I got my period, my husband and I went out to dinner. I’d never been so psyched about having cramps. I called my mom and my best friends. I almost posted it as my Facebook status. Not that you can ever have control over anything in life really, but the confirmation that my husband and I were going to be able to try to have kids when we wanted to was and still is huge. I’d still like to get another cycle under my belt before trying to get our reproduction on, but we’ll see how the timeline all works out.
The positives to this whole thing? First, it’s given me more time to freak out about pregnancy, thereby making it seem less scary because I’ve had more time to learn about it and get comfy with the idea of becoming an alien-like host. (I’m in more amazement than freak-out mode now.) Second, through this process I’ve become quite the researcher when it comes to post-pill syndrome and coming off the pill, so you can expect another post or two on the logistics of that condition and how common (and uncommon) it is. Plus, some other freaktastic stuff that’ll make you go hmmm.
In the meantime, tell us about your experience coming off the pill. How long did it take you to have a cycle? And how long had you been on the pill? —Jenn
I was on various kinds of the pill for 6 years. I stopped taking it on my 1st wedding anniversary and went SIX MONTHS without a period. When I finally went to the doctor I was diagnosed with insulin resistant Poly-cyctic ovarian syndrome. In the six months I’ve been on meds for the IR and pcos I’ve had a whopping 3 periods.
Why did no one tell me anything! The pill was advertised as a miracle pill that would keep my from getting pregnant, but would let me get pregnant as soon as I stopped taking it.
I was on birth control for 7 years, with one year break for each of my kids. I used it to continuously to control pain from severe endometriosis. I had no problems getting pregnant with each of my children, surprisingly with the issues i had. One year ago i had a hysterectomy because they pain just kept getting worse, which was no fault of the birth control. I guess i was lucky. I have two handsome, intelligent boys, and no lasting health issues from the birth control.
hey, it’s our bodies, know what meds you’re putting in it (and that goes for any kind of drugs), read the warnings … of course you have to put on the readers, even if you have 20/20 vision … never took the stuff, liked my body too much …
I was on the pill for only 9 months and got a blood clot. I started the pill after I finished basic training for the Army, when I was 19 years old, because it was extremely messed up and not on any type of cycle and I just wanted to regulate it. No joke, 9 months later, I’m in the hospital with a blood clot at the young age of 20. Now I can’t be on any type of hormonial birth control or I may be at the risk for another clot. When I went to the gynocologist she never told me that a blood clot could be a risk factor. Everyone that asks me now about birth control I tell them to really look into it before starting because I didn’t and it had a horrible affect on my life and career in the military.
I did not use the pill to be promiscuous but rather due to bleeding causing anemia. It has caused high bp, hypothyroid and possibly fibroadenoma. Off now and I have weight gain! It’s poison.
I was on some form of birth control for almost 7 years. Did the progesterone shots that are supposed to make you stop having a period, and instead had a 9-month long period that was finally diagnosed as an ovarian cyst. Switched to the pill to get rid of the cyst. After stopping the pill to get pregnant, it took me 9 months to conceive.
Reading the fine print of my birth control pill I was profoundly disturbed to discover that one of the ways that (and most) brand prevents pregnancy is to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. I believe life begins at conception, and couldn’t believe I had never taken the time to read the fine print before. I don’t think I’ll ever use birth control again… it’s condoms and timing from now on!
I was on the pill for about 5 years in a 7 year time frame. I was having very irregular periods in my teens, so it was perfect for me when I started taking it in college. Not to mention, at the time I thought I would never have, nor ever want, kids. But, after a two year relationship/dating hiatus, I stopped taking them. I don’t think I had any problems starting my period after I stopped, but that does not mean I wasn’t ovulating. Three years ago, when I started dating again, I asked to be put back on the pill, but was then told to stop taking it because of my blood pressure. The doc then recommended the shot and I had a horrible reaction that I am positive lead me to gain over 60lbs in a year, tendonitis in both my feet, and an ever persistent state of exhaustion and fatigue…that I have even to this day. And, the sad thing is that I was such an active person, training to run my first 5K and then it was like being hit with a ton of bricks…to the face. Now, I am happily married and my husband and I want to get pregnant by my 30th birthday (next year). I have read countless forums and personal accounts that say it can take up to 18 months to conceive after the shot, but it hast been well over that 18 months and a year we have been “letting nature take its course.” I’m worried about the other underlying side effects of this birth control, the ones that I have read that say it was originally given to women to sterilize them in low-income/overpopulated areas. I just wish my doc at the time had discussed this with me beforehand or, at least, been a lot more informed about it. I wish you the best of luck!
I have been on countless forms of BC… pill, ring, patch, etc… now that I have 3 wonderful children and I dont think I want anymore but was not ready to make it a permanent decision… I have the IUD.. I have never had any problems with any of them… My problems were ME… I could not remember the pill… although I was not a fan of the patch (broke out under due to lack of air). I think the IUD has been the best for me! VERY simple, no period, no side affects!
My experience started a lot like yours. I was on the pill for 10 yrs (ages 18-28). Went off when my hubby and I were ready to make a baby. I had random periods for a year (and thought many times, I must be preggo!). Then came a lot of temp taking and waiting for another 6 months before I went to see a fertility specialist. I ended up needing Clomid to get pregnant. I now have two amazing kids (not twins), but am convinced that a decade of bcp’s ruined my fertility. If your periods don’t become regular in the next few months I say get a fertility work-up without delay! Good luck!
Similar story here. I was on the pill from age 20-30, got married, went off the pill and now 5 months later no sign of a period. My doctor debated giving me provera to jumpstart my cycle, but didn’t think it would actually work. So, we are trying clomid. I am somewhat concerned about nothing happening even with the clomid since I was told the provera would probably not even make me get my period. Anyone been through this? Jenn – I could not agree with you more. The birth control lack of knowledge is outrageous. I know way too many people with abnormal periods/fertility issues as a result.
Also, I was as regular as the day as long before the pill. Boo Ortho lo. I hate you.
I was on the pill from 20-27(now) stopped taking it July 1/11 and still no sign of a period… hopefully its nothing to be too concerned about.
I was on the pill (various brands) for 16 years. I went off in March and still nothing is going on down there. Before the pill, I was completely regular and normal. Now – I’m just freaked out. The pill was the best way to protect myself during my teenage and college years (or so I thought).
At 32, I’m ready to have a child, but my body is asleep at the wheel. It’s scary to not have your own body working right.
Thank you for letting me know that I’m not alone.
“If I knew then, what I know now..” – I’d have gone off of these chemicals years ago.
I have been on the pill for 9 years consistently. I went of the pill in July 2011 and it has been 5 months and I have not gotten my period. I went to the doctor in October and he prescribed me provera. My period came. I was so happy and hoped and prayed it would come every month. It has not. He also checked my hormones through a blood test that was sent to the lab. They all came back normal.
I have been doing research on this topic b/c I want to have a baby now that I am 29 years old and married. I read that when you are on bc, it tells your pituitary gland what do do every month (something relating to ovulation). Then when you go off the pill, your pituitary gland has to send the message on its own. I am hoping that I get my period soon!! We weil see!
Your article is very reassuring to me–I’ve been going crazy looking at all of these discussion boards! It’s pretty easy to talk yourself into a doom and gloom situation, especially already being emotionally-fraught just about making the decision to go off the pill and have a baby! I went off the pill 8 weeks ago and am waiting for the big p to arrive…trying out acupuncture and Chinese herbs, and doing my best to stop obsessing. While I am admittedly drawn to the discussion boards and knowing that others are going through the same thing, I think I will make a pledge to take a break for a while for my own sanity!! Your other post with the info from Dr. Wood that the overall post-pill amenorrhea rate is only 1% is a very comforting tidbit of knowledge; based on peoples’ posts you’d think it was very very common! Here’s to positive thinking and taking a step back.