WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT COMING OFF THE PILL
So you’ve decided you want to go off the pill? Yay! This excites me for 2 reasons. Either it means that you are thinking of trying to conceive (exciting!), or you have had enough of synthetic hormones ruling your life and you want to take control of your body again. If it is the latter then a massive congratulations is in order because this is a big decision, and a brave one at that.
For many women, they go on the pill for reasons other than just contraception. It might be due to severe menstrual cramps, severe PMS, irregular periods, heavy periods, migraines associated with hormone involvement or probably the most common symptom; acne.
Now, while the pill is fantastic at correcting these issues what it doesn't always do, is fix it. It provides a bandaid solution, and then when a woman decides to come off the pill it often returns, and thats when people may find further reproductive conditions such as Endometriosis or Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Now I am not telling you these things to scare you. Knowledge is power and the more you know, the more educated decisions you can make.
And don’t get me wrong, I’m not bagging the use of the contraceptive pill. If it is the right fit for you at this point in your life then thats fantastic. But if coming off the pill is something you have been considering for a little while now then read on, as I will take you through what to expect, and things you can do to support your body during this transition.
Will my period come straight away?
Generally speaking you will get a period once you stop taking the active pills, as you would once you started the sugar pills in the pack. After this first period then it is very individual as everyone is unique. Some woman will get their period 28 days later and it will stay like that, others it will take some time to normalise again.
It is not uncommon for a period to be absent for a few months after coming off the pill, so if this is you then no need to stress. Checking in regularly with your GP during this time is important as well, as they can run tests to rule out any underlying hormonal conditions like PCOS if this is the case.
Other people will get a period fairly regularly and then it may disappear for a couple of months and then reappear. It is not uncommon for this to occur 6-12 months after coming off the pill, as your body is still trying to regulate itself, and clear any extra hormones which may be hanging around.
What symptoms may arise after I stop taking the pill?
Again, everyone is different, so what happened to your friend wont necessarily happen to you. Some common changes that you may see in your body include:
Changes in weight
Acne
Changes in vaginal discharges
Changes in breast size
PMS
How can I support my body so these symptoms don’t occur?
The biggest thing you can do to support your body when coming off the pill is to have a really healthy diet. If you have a diet which is rich is protein, fibre and omega 3, and low in sugar, saturated and trans fats then you are giving your body the right fuel to support healthy hormone levels, as well as healthy liver function. Liver function is important as the liver is responsible for the breaking down and the clearance of any hormones which may still be hanging around.
Increasing fibre in your diet is important as the fibre helps to bind any hormones which have been broken down, allowing them to exit the body. If there isn’t enough fibre then the hormones can be recycled back into the blood stream.
Cholesterol isn’t always a bad thing, especially when it comes to hormones. Hormones are made up of cholesterol, so making sure the diet is rich in good fats will allow optimal hormone production to occur.
Supporting your B group vitamins is also vey important as the oral contraceptive pill reduces the bodies B vitamin stores. Plus B vitamins are vital for detoxification, as well as many other function throughout the body.
There are many herbs and nutrients that can support the bodies ability to regulate the hormones once the pill is stopped so if you have any specific queries about your individual situation, seeking advice from your naturopath is a great place to start and they can put your back onto the path of wellness and healthy periods :)
