going off bcp

jmg · 06-10-2006, 01:21 AM

So, I am going off of my YASMIN bcp in three weeks. I am finishing out this pack and that's it. I've been on bcp on and off for 16 years!!! I was on Ortho Novum 7/7/7 until I had my first endo appt. Jan. '06 and she prescribed Yasmin. My blood pressure has shot up on Yasmin. I'm also just curious to see what my body will do without these hormones. I am nervous about symptoms of PCOS that may flare up. I am also having a hard time with the transition to a new birth control method. We are not TTC and I really don't want to get pregnant at this time. We tried a diaphragm the other night and we could both feel it. I wonder if this is normal? We didn't like it. So, we're going to use condoms...ugh.......It's been so convenient taking the pill all these years, but I truly have reservations about what it does to my body. And I know Yasmin, specifically, hasn't been good for my blood pressure. I would love to know people's experiences going off of bcp, their opinions on the effectiveness it has on controlling PCOS symptoms, and also what methods of bc people are using out there that they think work for them! Thanks!

deesh76 · 06-12-2006, 05:25 AM

Well, I tend to think that most of my physical symptoms appeared more rampidly after going off BCP 8 years ago. I was on them for about 2 years, but had to get off them from all the side effects. I gained a ton of weight on them, but now I don't know if that was really from them, or the PCOS. My chin hair grew quicker after going off. But it was still worth it for me to get rid of the side effects from the pill

As far a BC, we used either the sponge or VCP (vaginal contraceptive film) We hated condoms. The film was our favorite becuase it simply dissolves, nothing to remove after. It is supposed to be around 98% effective when used correctly and they averaged about $1 per film. (sold in a box of 6) We are now TTC, so not using anything, of course. But I'm still so irregular that we don't know when that will happen and since I was only diagnosed and medicated a few months ago, I'm not sure that we even needed the BC before, because I don't believe I was ever ovulating. I guess you never really know for sure, though.

jmg · 06-12-2006, 09:10 PM

Vaginal contraceptive film...I"ve never heard of that. I wonder if that' sonly available in Canada and not the U.S. I'll definitely look into it-thanks. 98% effective is great!

sleepydumpling · 06-13-2006, 03:02 AM

I've been off BCP for 6 months now, and it was the best thing I ever did. Ok, my symptoms haven't gotten any better, but at least I know what's going on with my body now and I'm working with my doctor towards fixing it long term, rather than just masking it with BCP's.

And... I've managed to have 4 cycles since going off BCP all on my own!

jmg · 06-13-2006, 05:29 PM

It's great to hear some positive stuff about going off of bcp. I just hope my symptoms don't flare up. But, you're right-I don't want to simply mask my symptoms, I want to improve them!

sleepydumpling · 06-14-2006, 04:42 AM

I talked to my doc about that same thing this morning, not masking symptoms, and she praised me for looking at my health on a long term basis! Oh it's great to have a good doc!

astrosweet · 06-16-2006, 06:02 PM

I posted a similar thread a couple of months ago before going off bcps myself. The responses I got told me that basically you can't predict what it'll do for you. Some feel much better off, some on.

Personally, I've been off for two months now and I feel almost the same. I'd say that my acne and chin hair have been a little worse, but nothing that I can't handle - and I've had plenty other potential causes for acne flare-ups recently so I'm not going to assume it is due to coming off the bcp! I haven't moved very much in weight - perhaps a slight loss, but nothing dramatic. Otherwise I haven't noticed any emotional or other physical signs.

But I would second the comments made by others about now feeling more like I know what's going on with my body - at least I know it's not the external source of hormones, just all my own ones now!

sleepydumpling · 06-17-2006, 12:58 PM

That's how I feel astrosweet! It's so good to learn what's "normal" for me.

arevelyne · 06-28-2006, 02:42 PM

I too am going off after having been on bcp since the age of 16! I just want to see if I can ovulate with met alone so I am back on met (which was what I took to get pregnant and ovulated immediately). Hopefully, with met alone my cycles will get regular and some of the PCOS symptoms will, in turn, go down too. My OB told me that, in order to lessen the risk of developing certain types of reproductive cancers later in life, I need to have a period at least 6 times/year....Hopefully met will do it for me!

deesh76 · 06-28-2006, 05:10 PM

Met has done wonders for me. I went off BCPs at the beginning of May, (had only been back on them for a couple of months as DR wanted to induce a few AFs). Well, I ovulated about 30 days later, and had a REAL AF 14 days later!! My first REAL one in a very long time. I am now waiting to see how long it will be before I ovulate again, I'm hoping it's a shorter cycle this time.

valkyrie65 · 06-29-2006, 03:48 AM

i consulted w/ an osteopathic doctor who prescribed what i would describe as herbal detox stuff to help my gallbladder and liver get rid of the synthetic hormones. it seemed to be working well and i had a regular period for about 4 months, but i have gone back to skipping periods so i'm waiting for the latest round of lab results. but i say talk to your doctor and give it a try, you never know.

january · 08-28-2006, 10:16 PM

How are you ladies doing off the pill? Symptoms, etc.?

jmg · 08-29-2006, 09:08 PM

I'm doing great off the pill! I've been off a little over 2 months and I had a pretty regular period both months. Month one I was three days late and month two I was three days early. Both periods had little PMS symptoms and were short (about 3-4 days) and not too heavy. I hope it lasts!

I have a little more acne and chin hair than before, but really nothing major. My mood and sex drive have improved immensely!

I am doing acupuncture and taking herbs, so maybe that is helping me-not sure.

Life off the pill is much much much much better for me, except for using condoms!!!

january · 08-30-2006, 05:06 PM

Thanks for responding. I want to get off of pill. My dr. wants me to be on it for at least two more months. I had ovarian drilling a month ago. Since my surgery the bcp has made me lose my sex drive majorly. It didn't effect me before maybe b/c I had more male hormones. ? I don't know if the pill will prevent more cysts from forming. Since my surgery, my symptoms, (hair loss, chin hairs) has gone away! I would like to keep them at bay AND have enjoyable sex again. Hmmmmm...........

rdj524ant · 08-31-2006, 03:59 PM

I'm so reluctant to go on bcp. My doctor says a woman doesnt really NEED to see AF, unless she is TTC. I am not ttc but I at least want to know that I can. I have been reading a lot of info from this site about "met" and weight loss.