[redwillow]

I have been off and on BCP since I was 18 (I'm now 28). I started taking BCP to regulate my periods, but had to go off of it several times when I couldn't afford it or didn't really NEED it b/c I wasn't in a sexual relationship. I have been on several different pills over the last 3 years - had AWFUL side effects from all of them except Ortho TriCyclen. I had been taking Ortho for about 2 years, up until last month when I decided to stop after my last period. I decided to stop for several reasons -- it appears to be killing my sex drive, i seem to be having hair loss which I read could be related to BCP (BTW, I've had my thyroid checked, and it was normal), and most of all, I've started to learn about all the possible harmful effects of long-term exposure to synthetic hormones. So, my boyfriend and I have decided to use natural family planning. We are NOT trying to get pregnant.

So, now that you have my back-story, my questions!: I would have been due for my period on 12/19/09, so I'm now a week late. BUT, I've had all my usual pre-BCP PMS symptoms -- cramps, bloating, sore breasts, fatigue, feeling hypersensitive and crying easily -- for the past 7 days. Almost like a "phantom period," I guess? Has anyone else had this experience?? I've read online that it can take several months for your body to adjust to getting off the hormones and kick back in with your normal period, so I'm not terribly concerned about that. I guess more than I was hoping to get my period right away, I was hoping to get my sex drive back right away. Since I've been on Ortho, I can't remember having any sex drive, and I've read on several other forums that sometimes being on BCP long-term kills your sex drive and it NEVER comes back. I'm very nervous about this! Anyone with similar experiences or advice?? Thanks!

[ItsASecret]

I've read online that it can take several months for your body to adjust to getting off the hormones and kick back in with your normal period, so I'm not terribly concerned about that.

That is correct. Once you introduce synthetic hormones into the body you body will get used to 'seeing' them there, once you remove them by stopping BCP your body will still think they are there for a period of time. No real reason to worry.

I guess more than I was hoping to get my period right away, I was hoping to get my sex drive back right away. Since I've been on Ortho, I can't remember having any sex drive, and I've read on several other forums that sometimes being on BCP long-term kills your sex drive and it NEVER comes back.

Like previously said, once you have the BCP in you it will take a period of time to get them completely out. Maybe a month or two, I am not quite sure. Your period will probably come out of nowhere for the first month or so, try not to worry because at some point it will be back. The part about sex drive never coming back is completely false, people doing fear mongering because they may not approve of birth control in the first place...simply do not listen to things like that. The BCP will affect each woman differently when it comes to sex drive, personally I am on Tri-Cyclen and if anything my drive went up. Just wait it out, your body is still in the transition stage of coming off the pill.

[Mes T]

I second the above post.

I also had hair loss with birth control pills. It took quite a while for my hair to get back to normal afterwards.

Have you considered a copper IUD? That's what I have now and it's wonderful.

[kira]

Not having your period for awhile after stopping hormonal birth control is entirely normal. After 5years of it straight I didn't have a period for 4months at a time a couple times over the next year before it started to have a schedule again.

If you definitely don't want to be pregnant a better form of birth control would be a good idea. I just wonder whether the risks of bcp or pregnancy is worse and that's an easy win. I'll gladly die of birth control side effects first. Heck the stuff it does for my period and appearance (dandruff, acne, etc...) is worth it to me. If I can take all those days of having my period being in pain and unable to do much along with the time spent trying to fix other problems and smash them on to the end of my life so I just die sooner that would be a great trade off.