Expert: Diane Cheryl - 11/3/2006

Question
I have recently stop taking birth control.  I have been on and off of birth control since I was 16, but consistently for the past 6 years.  I have been very irritable, tired, and bloated since quitting Apri.  Is this normal.  Should I expect to see side effects from quitting.  Most people say NO.  Any information?

Answer
Hi Meredith,
I'm not a medical professional but from the information I have, it is somewhat normal to experience side effects from quitting the pill. The information I have found says that you should be back to a normal cycle within 3-6 months so it shouldn't be too much longer. Please check with your physician. I'll put some information below that might be helpful.

<<Birth control pills work by releasing hormones that make  your body believe it is already pregnant. No egg is matured and released-- meaning a woman does not ovulate that month. No ovulation means there is no egg to fertilize. At the end of each month, the placebo (fake) pill stops tricking the body for a few days, and the body flushes itself of the buildup it had been creating for this "baby". This happens every month.

Because of the hormones, your body needs some time to reset itself after you stop taking birth control pills. It may take from 3 to 6 months. However, women have become pregnant immediately after going off the pill, so do not count on this as being a "safe period".>>