Expert: Diane Cheryl - 3/25/2009

Question
I am 48 years old and have been on the pill(Marvelon) for aprox. 3 years to minimize and control my menstrual cycle.  Prior to this I had never taken any type of pill.  I wish to stop taking the pill.  Do I just stop at the end of one cycle or gradually?  If it's gradually how do I do that?  What can I expect for side effects?  Just to note-since taking the pill, I have gained aprox. 10 lbs and no matter what I do, I cannot lose the weight.  I feel like crap and want to get my life back.  I do not recommend this to anyone.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Carla,

Loved your question. I really like to hear when women make a good choice of going off the hormonal birth control pill. It sounds like you're not using it for birth control so you won't have to worry about pregnancy? I just read an article online which said that you can just stop anytime you want. This article says that you don't have to "wean" yourself off of it.

It also says this "Different women have a different experience of stopping the pill, but if you have not experienced a normal menstrual period within two months of stopping the pill, consult your physician to determine whether you have any health condition requiring treatment. Most women return to normal fertility fairly quickly after stopping the pill."

Hope this helps.

Diane Cheryl
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com