[Ashlee T.]

Could have put this in the Birth Control forum too, wasn't really sure.

I've been off birth control now for about 4 months. I'm still appauled at the differences in the way I feel, my physical and mental health. Wow. I can't imagine having to go back to bc and all the side effects I suffered.

A friend of mine said the other night while having a girl venting session, "I'm starting to think I'm just a really moody person". I remember feeling that way. Convinced myself for many years of that. But after getting off hormonal bc, I'm reminded of the light hearted, energetic, happy person that I *naturally* am.

And wow.....I feel so much sexier! It's very strange!! I find it quite interesting to pay attention to my body and what it does throughout various points in the cycle. The most interesting yet is the way I can tell I'm about to ovulate, even before the symptoms of ovulation appear.

But there's this one thing I've noticed.....the way I smell....(down there. ) is different. It's not like a BAD smell, but at different times in my cycle, I have a "stronger" smell. Weird...I wouldn't have thought that hormonal bc would change the way you smelled. I'm very hygenic, and like I said it's not a BAD smell, but definitely a stronger one......so the only thing I can really attribute it to is a change in my own hormones after ridding myself of the synthetic ones.

Anyone else experienced this?

[LanaBear]

I've been off BC for about 18 months and I love it. I was never anti BC, never had any problems with it, at all. However, being off of it, I do feel so much better. I completely get what you are saying. I'm so in tune with my body and my cycles throughout the month and it makes me feel better about myself being able to recognize certain things here or there.

I haven't, though, noticed a difference in smell though. If anything, I would say I have less of one now than when I was on the pill.

[WildChild]

Have been off all those hormones since I was 24, back in the days when they didn't seem to cause so many problems with libido and such. I've been in tune with my cycles for a long time, I discovered I could "reset" when my period started by the moon cycles. I was surprised more women didn't seem to be able to do this. Perhaps its the disruption of the artificial hormones.

Now quit comsumming beef and dairy products that contain antobiotics and BGH and you'll be even more natural!

[Ashlee T.]

I haven't, though, noticed a difference in smell though. If anything, I would say I have less of one now than when I was on the pill.

Interesting. I notice a change in smell during ovulation time mostly. But I do have a sniffer like a bloodhound.

Glad to hear you're feeling good off BC as well. Its strange, I've noticed some months during ovulation time I have pain in my left ovary. Pretty sure I'm forming some cysts on some months, but thankfully they're going away on their own.

I have been painting, and just enjoying my life so much more. Things I never seemed to feel motivated enough to do before. I've also noticed that where before when I had idle time, I'd crash, and on the couch I'd go. Now, if I'm idle I'm constantly moving around thinking of things I can do/need to do etc. I'm loving the newfound energy!

[WildChild]

You know my dear, some of this may be your new found freedom too!

[Ashlee T.]

I discovered I could "reset" when my period started by the moon cycles.

Oh oh do tell. What do you mean by this?

Now quit comsumming beef and dairy products that contain antobiotics and BGH and you'll be even more natural

I eat no red meat, and other than tuna I basically eat no meat at all. Dairy I haven't quite figured out a way around yet......well...because me loves it.

You know my dear, some of this may be your new found freedom too!

HMmm.....well, I will say I'm feeling better than I was last week and the week before FOR SURE. The hormonal changes I've noticed even before the breakup, I guess I just have more time now to pay attention to them. HA!

[LanaBear]

Interesting. I notice a change in smell during ovulation time mostly. But I do have a sniffer like a bloodhound.

Glad to hear you're feeling good off BC as well. Its strange, I've noticed some months during ovulation time I have pain in my left ovary. Pretty sure I'm forming some cysts on some months, but thankfully they're going away on their own.

I have been painting, and just enjoying my life so much more. Things I never seemed to feel motivated enough to do before. I've also noticed that where before when I had idle time, I'd crash, and on the couch I'd go. Now, if I'm idle I'm constantly moving around thinking of things I can do/need to do etc. I'm loving the newfound energy!

I hear ya... I feel even though it was 18 months ago, I still feel better and better all the time.

lol - well, I don't have a very good sense of smell. I don't know, maybe on the pill it was different because now that I think about it hubby can tell me when I'm going to start my period before I even know now... He says I smell different, not bad, just different right before I start and not just "downstairs". lol

[LanaBear]

Oh and also, I get MASSIVE cramping during ovulation. Worse than before my period. I had my annual in April and I brought it up, everything checked out fine, she offered to put me on the pill (even though I had a tubal), lol, to help regulate my symptoms. I promptly put a kibosh on that little idea.

[Ashlee T.]

Haha...oh yes, birth control is the "solution" for all gynecological ailments. My cramping is weird...not like normal menstrual cramps. Some months I don't feel a thing, but other months when I sit down in my chair at work, or on the toilet, I can been pain in my left ovary. I guess they periodically just want to remind me they're there, doing their job. haha.

I remember an ex used to tell me he could tell when I was getting ready to start because the taste and smell down below got stronger. That was right around time I started on BC. But while on BC, I could never smell myself (that sounds so bad, lol).....and now I can! Bahaha....wonder if anyone else smells me? Like a dog in heat *sniff sniff sniff*.

Oh...and something else, I had forgotten how much lubrication my body produces on its own. While on the pill, I never seemed to get super wet. And since I've gone off it, I seem to get more and more "lubed up" the longer I've been off bc. Before you know it I'll have a lake named after me. Lake Disasta!!!

[LanaBear]

lol - OMG... Your whole post had me cracking up because I completely understand everything you are saying... I agree on the wetness factor too, I was never like this on the pill, now, lordy, I definitely have no problems in that arena of things.