Expert: Diane Cheryl - 10/29/2006

Question
Hi, I've been on birth control since December after the birth of my second child (I was on bc for a number of years before this).  The first pill, ortho lo, I took for 5 months and had terrible diarrhea.  So I came off and took Loestrin for 3 months which gave me terrible headaches.  Long story short, I decided to come off them and for the past weeks feel worse off them then on.  I was just wondering if it's normal to have these type of symptoms upon withdrawl and if a yeast infection could be one symptom.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Kerry,
First off, I want to tell you that I'm not a medical doctor and that I recommend that you check with your physician. Yes, I think that you could suffer withdrawal symptoms from going off the pills. The hormones in the pills could cause that. I'm not sure if it's normal but a possibility. Also, I'm not sure about the yeast infection. I'm sorry I can't help you more but I think being off hormones should be more healthy in the long run. Please email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com and tell me what happens. I'm concerned about your situation. I would have the yeast infection checked out. Also, are you going to use any other kind of birth control. In my opinion, the only ones that are healthy are condoms(not effective, tho) and Natural Family Planning.
The other expert under birth control, Ramona, can help you with information about NFP.
Diane Cheryl
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com