You want to
get off the pill
(or maybe you have already)
Maybe you want to get away from synthetic hormones and their side effects, maybe you want to start a natural method of birth control, or maybe you want to start your family.
But breaking up with the pill can be hard to do.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know to make this change a success.
You want to
get off the pill
(or maybe you have already)
Maybe you want to get away from synthetic hormones and their side effects, maybe you want to start a natural method of birth control, or maybe you want to start your family.
But breaking up with the pill can be hard to do.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know to make this change a success.
Is this your experience?
When getting off the pill (or any other hormonal contraceptive like the vaginal ring, the shot, the implant, or IUDs) many women feel immediate relief from the side effects they experienced while on birth control. However, some women will also experience some of these symptoms after quitting their form of birth control:
Acne Loss of menstruation for 3-6 months
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Menstrual cramps / painful periods
PMS
Weight gain
Bloating
Headaches or migraines
Hair loss
Insomnia
Depression, anxiety, and/or mood swings
Changes in libido
Lack of ovulation (known as anovulation)
Difficulty conceiving
Fear of getting pregnant
Is this your experience?
When getting off the pill (or any other hormonal contraceptive like the vaginal ring, the shot, the implant, or IUDs) many women feel immediate relief from the side effects they experienced while on birth control. However, some women will also experience some of these symptoms after quitting their form of birth control:
Acne
Loss of menstruation for 3-6 months
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Menstrual cramps / painful periods
PMS
Weight gain
Bloating
Headaches or migraines
Hair loss
Insomnia
Depression, anxiety, and/or mood swings
Changes in libido
Lack of ovulation (known as anovulation)
Difficulty conceiving
Fear of getting pregnant
Unfortunately, if you had irregular cycles and/or painful periods before the pill, it’s likely that these issues will come back after you get off birth control. That’s the bad news.
Some people even get back on a contraceptive because of these symptoms or fears.
But you don’t have to.
Ready for the good news?
You likely got off birth control partly because of side effects in the first place, right? Your body needs healing, and we’re here to tell you:
You can recover a healthy cycle and heal your body–without birth control.
We understand what you’re going through because many of our readers and our writers have been through the same experience.
That’s why we consulted with the best doctors in the field of restorative reproductive medicine to provide you with a way to make this change a success, and to heal your body for good. The best news? You can do all of this regardless of whether you want to continue avoiding pregnancy, start a family, or simply balance your hormones.
So, you’re getting off the pill. We salute you!
Now, where should you start?
Here are the 5 simple steps we recommend to set yourself up for success when getting off the pill:
Define your immediate goal
Learn about Fertility Awareness
Talk to someone who can guide you
Pay attention to your symptoms
Work with a Fertility Awareness professional, a doctor, or a licensed FAM trainer
So you’re getting off the pill We salute you!
Now where should you start?
Here are the 5 simple steps we recommend to set yourself up for success when getting off the pill:
Define your immediate goal
Learn about Fertility Awareness
Talk to someone who can guide you
Pay attention to your symptoms
Work with a Fertility Awareness professional, a doctor, or a licensed FAM trainer
Want more resources?
Here are some practical tools to help you with each step
Need help defining your goal?
Take our Quiz!
Where are you in your fertility life? Depending on your age, health condition, personal situation, you will have different goals and a slightly different plan. Any of these goals will include the healing of your body and the restoration of your cycle.
Need help defining your goal?
Take our Quiz!
Where are you in your fertility life? Each woman will have different goals and a slightly different plan depending on her age, health conditions, or personal situation. Any of these goals will include the healing of your body and the restoration of your cycle.
Not sure where to learn about Fertility Awareness?
We’ve got you covered with our Ultimate Guide to Fertility Awareness.
There is so much information about this topic that it can be a little overwhelming. Also, some of what you may read about fertility awareness is simply inaccurate. That’s why we worked with our team of experts and medical advisors to provide a simple guide that you can download here for free.
Not sure where to learn about Fertility Awareness?
We’ve got you covered with our Ultimate Guide to Fertility Awareness.
There is so much information about this topic that it can be a little overwhelming. Also, some of what you may read about fertility awareness is simply inaccurate. That’s why we worked with our team of experts and medical advisors to provide a simple guide that you can download here for free.
Wondering how you can find someone to guide you along the way?
Relax, we know people.
At Natural Womanhood, we understand that each person is unique. No one should be forced into a one-size fit all solution. We also believe that anyone should have access to information and options. That’s why we offer a free 15-minute consultation with one of our volunteer advisors who can guide you through the next steps, no string attached.
(Note: we don’t sell any product or services as a nonprofit organization. If you give us your contact information, we will not share it with anyone)
Wondering how you can find someone to guide you along the way?
Relax, we know people.
At Natural Womanhood, we understand that each person is unique. No one should be forced into a one-size fits all solution. We also believe that everyone should have access to information and options. That’s why we offer a free 15-minute consultation with one of our volunteer advisors who can guide you through the next steps, no strings attached.
(Note: We don’t sell any products or services as a nonprofit organization. If you give us your contact information, we will not share it with anyone)
Where should you log all those symptoms you’re noticing?
In this free Symptom Checklist!
Whether you’re already charting your cycle or not, it is important to both identify all the symptoms you have, and to have a record that you can show to a professional. Before you take the next step, take a minute to fill out this simple and confidential form with a thorough review of any cycle issue you experience. It will generate a symptom checklist you can show to your doctor or other healthcare professional at your next visit.
Where should you log all those symptoms you’re noticing?
In this free Symptom Checklist!
Whether you’re already charting your cycle or not, it is important to both identify all the symptoms you have, and to have a record that you can show to a professional. Before you take the next step, take a minute to fill out this simple and confidential form with a thorough review of any cycle issues you may experience. It will generate a symptom checklist you can show to your doctor or other healthcare professional at your next visit.
Where can you find professional support?
Again, we know people!
If you had serious cycle issues before you got on the pill, know that the pill didn’t cure them. It simply gave you some relief from your symptoms, and likely caused other imbalances in the process. The root cause of your cycle issues still needs to be addressed. The root cause can include a hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, PCOS, or other conditions. These conditions can be treated, and your body can heal with the help of health professionals trained in fertility awareness and a new field of medicine called restorative reproductive medicine (RRM). We took the time to put together a directory of such professionals.
Where can you find professional support?
Again, we know people!
If you had serious cycle issues before you got on the pill, know that the pill didn’t cure them. It simply gave you some relief from your symptoms, and likely caused other imbalances in the process. The root cause of your cycle issues still needs to be addressed. The root cause can include a hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, PCOS, or other conditions. These conditions can be treated, and your body can heal with the help of health professionals trained in fertility awareness and a new field of medicine called restorative reproductive medicine (RRM). We took the time to put together a directory of such professionals.
If you’re not ready to take these steps yet, we understand.
We’re happy to share the following articles and videos which will inform you about the natural ways you can get well and achieve your health and fertility goals.
Losing weight after getting off the Pill: How to listen to your body’s cues as you begin cycling again
Read More »
Anne Marie Williams, RN, BSN
Don’t Expect a Quick Fix When You Quit Birth Control (And Why It’s Still Worth the Effort)
Read More »
Julia Hogan-Werner, LCPC
