Expert: Norman Solberg - 6/26/2010

Question
I was on birth control for heavy periods and when my period came back while on the pill, my doctor decided I should stop the pill and see a gynecologist. A week after I stopped taking the pill I have gained four pounds (I actually lost weight on the pill), I am hungry all the time, I am irritable, and tired all the time. This has only occurred within the last week after stopping the birth control. Could this just be a hormonal reaction to stopping the birth control?

Answer
Hi Jennifer,
While you're on the pill, it takes over from your ovaries and supplies your hormones.  When you stop the pill, your ovaries take over your hormone production.  So If you're feeling different, it's the way your body is responding to your own hormones (unless there's something else causing the change).  Maybe it's just a coincidence that you're hungry, irritable and gaining weight.  But it sounds like you generally feel better on the pill hormones than on your own hormones.  If that's true, you may want to go back on the pill.  I'm sure there is a pill that will control your periods, although sometimes it's a matter of trying several different pills to find it.  Best wishes.