Coming off the pill – what happens then?
The birth control pill is the number 1 contraceptive in Germany. Despite this, more and more women are tending to stop using them and switch to non-hormonal contraception. Here we explain what consequences this can have and which contraceptive methods are still available.
Discontinuing the birth control pill is becoming an increasingly important issue for women. One can really speak of a trend.
Awareness of the side effects of taking the pill is growing. But what happens in the female body when the daily hormone supply of the pill is stopped? We will explain the various consequences to you.
When can the pill be stopped?
In principle, the pill can be discontinued at any time without any problems. You do not need to get permission from your gynecologist. However, it is recommended that you finish the rest of the month’s pack before your next period, as stopping the dose will result in withdrawal bleeding. This bleeding occurs due to the drop in estrogen levels.
However, if you have been prescribed the pill for medical reasons – for example ovarian cysts, severe menstrual cramps or impure skin – you should consult your gynecologist before stopping to get medical advice.
Side effects from stopping the pill
If the pill is stopped after a long period of use, some side effects can occur. Unfortunately, these consequences cannot be avoided, but they should adjust themselves after a while.
cycle fluctuations
Since the female body lacks the usual, daily hormones, fluctuations in the menstrual cycle can occur. These fluctuations are different for every woman, but it often takes most women months to return to regular ovulation and a natural period. This is referred to as the so-called post-pill syndrome , in which menstruation can be absent for up to six months.
However, it can also lead to particularly heavy or particularly weak bleeding. Bleeding between periods is also possible after stopping the pill.
blemishes
As soon as the daily hormone supply through the pill fails, the body is influenced again by the natural hormone fluctuations. This can also lead to skin problems such as pimples, which is partly due to the detoxification of the body. It is a natural fact that the monthly cycle has an influence on the appearance of our skin.
However, if you were already suffering from major blemishes before you started taking the pill, there’s a good chance they’ll come back in a similar way. In the second half of the cycle, right after ovulation, some women notice that their skin is particularly oily and prone to impurities.
Hair loss can also occur to the same extent, but this should subside again as the hormone balance levels off.
weight fluctuations
There are many rumors about drastic weight gain after stopping the pill. However, the extent to which the hormonal change affects weight loss or weight gain is completely different, since both are possible.
However, there is no scientific study for weight gain. Losing weight is even more likely, since fluid accumulates in the body while the pill is being taken, which disappears when you stop taking it.
increase in libido
Some women find that taking the pill also reduces their desire to have sex. And indeed, studies have found a link between the loss of libido and taking the pill.
As reported by Cyclotest.de , studies by an American sexologist showed ten years ago that the birth control pill increases the concentration of the protein SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) . And this has an inhibitory effect on the action of the male hormone testosterone.
However, testosterone is incredibly important to female libido. After stopping the pill, the SHBG level usually drops again. This means that women (and maybe men too) can look forward to an increasing libido 😉
acidification of the body
Acidification of the body as a side effect of stopping is a possible consequence, but it is not very widespread.
This can be caused by not taking hormones because the acid level is then no longer increased. This gives the body the task of purifying and detoxifying. This is actually a positive result! You can support your body by eating a healthy, alkaline diet , getting enough exercise and drinking plenty of fluids.
Getting pregnant after stopping the pill
It is pointed out again and again – sometimes also by doctors – that a woman who has been using the pill for a long time should first take a break from the pill before trying to become pregnant.
However, it has not been proven whether long-term use of the contraceptive pill really makes it more difficult to get pregnant. Of course, it takes a different amount of time for every woman until her own cycle has leveled off again. In principle, however, it is not a problem to become pregnant immediately after stopping the pill.
Your body needs time
These side effects may sound daunting at first, but these are only temporary consequences. Nevertheless, it is of course up to each woman to decide whether she wants to stop taking the pill or not.
What you should avoid, however, is rapid switching between stopping and going back on the pill. The body needs about half a year, if not longer, to get back into its natural cycle. It’s best to give him that time.
Alternative contraceptive methods
If you decide to stop taking hormonal birth control pills and you are not planning a pregnancy, you should find out about alternatives beforehand.
Examples of non-hormonal methods of contraception are:
- The temperature
method The temperature method is one of the best-known methods of natural family planning. It tries to draw conclusions about your fertile days by measuring the cyclic fluctuations in the basal body temperature . It is therefore also often called the basal body temperature method. - The diaphragm
The diaphragm is a mechanical contraceptive that creates a barrier between the sperm and the egg. It is inserted into the vagina before intercourse, often combined with a spermicidal gel.
We will inform you in detail about these and other contraceptive methods in our articles on non-hormonal contraception.