Tag: no period after stopping the pill

In this article, we’ll look at how to prepare before stopping the pill, the potential side effects, symptoms and shifts you might experience when you come off the pill and crucially, when to test your hormones depending on which type of contraception you’ve been using. Read on to understand how to support your reproductive and overall health as you manage your post-contraception journey. Quick facts: How to prepare before coming off the pill Coming off the pill doesn’t have to feel like stepping off a cliff. A little preparation in the weeks and months beforehand can make your transition much smoother both physically and emotionally. Start tracking your cycle now Even if you’re still on the pill, you can begin noting how your body feels day to day. Use a cycle tracking app like Hertility or even just a notebook, note your cycle length, energy levels, mood, skin and sleep. This gives you a baseline before your natural hormones return, so you can spot patterns more quickly afterwards. Review your reason for going on the pill in the first place Many people start the pill to manage symptoms like  irregular cycles, painful periods, acne or conditions like PCOS or endometriosis. If that was the case for you, it’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional before stopping, so you have a plan in place for those symptoms potentially returning. Consider your contraception timeline If you’re stopping contraception specifically to try to conceive, it’s worth factoring in the timeline for your hormones to settle before tracking ovulation. In most cases, we recommend waiting at least 3 cycles post-pill before testing your hormones, but this varies depending on the type of contraception you’ve been using (see section below). Common side effects of coming off the pill Whilst side effects like mood swings, irregular periods and acne, the experience of coming off the pill (or any hormonal contraception) is totally unique to each individual. This is because each of our hormonal make-ups is unique.  While coming off the pill may have some side effects, most can be managed or treated and fertility, including a regular menstrual cycle, typically returns to normal within a few months. Knowing how to manage and prepare for any possible symptoms will make your post-pill journey much easier. Let’s take a look at both the physical and mental side effects of coming off the pill. What are the physical side effects of coming off the pill? Stopping the pill may bring on physical side effects including changes in your menstrual cycle, skin issues and weight fluctuations. Menstrual cycle changes after coming off the pill Hormonal fluctuations can cause your menstrual cycle to change. While on the pill, your body receives a steady and specific dose of synthetic oestrogen and/ or progestogen to prevent pregnancy. When you stop taking the pill, the synthetic hormones gradually leave your system, allowing your natural hormones to kick back in. But since your body hasn’t needed them recently, it can take a while for them to find their rhythm. It takes some time for your natural hormones to balance and your menstrual cycle to regulate. A key sign of hormonal balance is a regular menstrual cycle. After coming off the pill, most people notice cycles return to what was normal within 2-3 months. While we can test some of your hormones while you are on hormonal contraception, if you want to do your hormone blood test without the effect of external hormones, we recommend waiting three months. If your menstrual cycle doesn’t return after three months, we would recommend reaching out to our in-house fertility experts for guidance. They can provide insights, conduct Advanced At-Home Hormone and Fertility Test and offer personalised advice based on your specific situation. Your periods may also feel different to how you remember them. Heavier flow, stronger cramps, and a shift in cycle length are all common in the months after stopping, especially if you originally went on the pill to manage those exact symptoms. The pill effectively puts a lid on your natural hormonal fluctuations, so when that lid comes off, it’s like your body is starting all over again. This doesn’t mean something is wrong. But it does mean it’s worth paying attention. Tracking your cycle from the moment you stop, noting flow, pain levels, mood and energy gives you a detailed picture of what your natural hormones are doing, and makes it much easier to spot anything worth investigating further. An important thing to remember is that you can get pregnant after getting off birth control. Many women think it takes a long time to conceive after they stop the pill, but you might start ovulating as soon as 1-3 months post stopping. Skin problems after coming off the pill Some birth control pills have an anti-androgenic effect, meaning they lower testosterone levels in your body, which can reduce acne, which is a common symptom of PCOS. When you stop, testosterone levels can rise again and your skin may react. Breakouts along the jaw, chin and cheeks are particularly common in the first few months post-pill. For most people this settles within 3–6 months as hormones find their new equilibrium. If your acne is persistent, severe, or is hitting your confidence, it’s worth speaking to a dermatologist, but it’s also worth looking at the hormonal picture underneath it. Acne can be a signal of elevated androgens, which is a key marker we test for at Hertility Unwanted hair growth after coming off the pill If you were taking a pill with an anti-androgen effect, unwanted hair growth may return after you stop taking it. This is because the pill was suppressing testosterone, and when that suppression lifts, androgen levels can rise again. Hair growth on the chin, upper lip, neck or chest, called hirsutism is one of the more noticeable ways this can show up. While this can happen to anyone stopping an anti-androgenic pill, it’s also one of the hallmark signs of elevated androgens more […]