Skip to content
  • Register
    • We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

    Coming off birth control symptoms (ladies only please)

    Posts: 197 Member
    edited January 22 in Motivation and Support
    Hi Girls,

    Last month I decided to come off the pill. Ive been taking it for 18 years and recently have heard that being on it for a substantial period of time can be bad for you. I am also wanting to try for a baby in the not too distant future. Ive never had any issues with the one im currently on. My body was like clock work every month.

    However after coming off I have had the following symptoms and wondered if they are normal:
    Weight Gain
    Severe bloated tummy
    Headaches
    Incredibly painful breasts and nipples
    Feeling down
    Very tired.

    Do any of these sound familiar too you?

    Thanks
    Gem xx

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Replies

    • Posts: 899 Member
      I would talk to your Dr about it for sure. The weight gain and mood changes are pretty normal in my experience.
    • Posts: 166 Member
      Google symptoms of stopping hormonal birth control. I stopped about 2 months ago, and I had some acne, and worse pms. Also, it can take up to a year for your hormones and cycle to balance out again, so if things seem a little abnormal...that's normal :) But check with your gyno if you are concerned. There are loooots of resources on google though.
    • Posts: 239 Member
      Weight gain and spots were my symptoms.
      Also excruciating pains every month, I had to take the day off work in March as I couldn't stand up, the pain was that bad.
    • Posts: 35 Member
      It sounds like pregnancy. If you have had sexual encounters since coming off your birth control that could be a possibility, talk to ur doctor.
    • Posts: 197 Member
      Yeah i thought the same. I was convinced i was pregnant but taken a test and Im not :)
    • Posts: 492 Member
      Those are common symptoms of coming off birth control. I had much of the same when I went of depo, and I just quit depo again here this month, so I am about to be hit with all of those again soon....Probably not the weight gain though...I expect a weight loss perhaps because depo makes you want to eat.
    • Posts: 35 Member
      You tried a doctors pregnancy test or one at home? The home ones are picky and inaccurate sometimes, like if its to soon or such...I would try a few more if you used a home pregnancy test, just to be sure. Just my suggestion! :) However, these ladies are saying it is normal symptoms you are experiencing and I have never been on (or off lol) birth control so they may be right!
    • Posts: 1,380 Member
      Do check with your Dr. I don't remember ever having those symptoms when I came off (but as my youngest is 13 its a while ago:wink: ). Yes, it sounds like pregancy but if a test is coming up negative it could be something else - my friend had similar symptoms when she was trying for a second and it turned out to be ovarian cycsts.

      Never suffer in silence just because you're a woman!
    • Posts: 63
      For me weight gain, mood swings, night sweats, painful ovulation, hot flashes, intense cravings during the week before my period. I've been off the pill for about 7 yrs and the only thing that's normalized is my weight. During the week before my period, I still experience everything else. It was so bad, I thought I was going through early menopause. But I don't regret getting off of the pill at all.
    • Posts: 72 Member
      I was on for 13 years got off last February the first 5 moths massive mood swings, after 3 months terrible acne and gained 30lbs have lost 18 of them since december. It was a roller coaster!!!
    This discussion has been closed.

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories