Pros and cons of getting off hormonal birth control according to the Bellesa community

There are a ton of reasons women seek to get off hormonal birth control. Maybe you’re trying to conceive or looking to freeze your eggs for later use, perhaps you’ve been struggling with weight or skin concerns, maybe (like many women) you just don’t feel like yourself mentally and emotionally, or you just simply don’t want to take it! All of these reasons are super valid and while we don’t recommend pulling the goalie completely (unless you’re actually wanting to start a family), we get that you might be over the pill (oe IUD/ring/patch/whatever you’re trying not to be on).

There are some side effects from going off hormonal birth control (good and bad), so let us break it down for you:

PROS

1. Mental clarity

A common side effect of hormonal birth control a lack of mental clarity, this can come in the form of forgetfulness, general fogginess, or difficulty concentrating. Some may get hit harder than others, but many people find that their brain takes a little vacation while on birth control. Even those who don’t necessarily notice the fogginess while they’re in it, feel an increased sense of clarity once they’re off it. Kinda like turning up the dimmer on a light switch. The increase in cognitive function can help concentrate and feel productive, control your emotions , and just generally make you feel more like yourself.

2. Increased sex drive

Any change in hormones affects everyone’s libido differently; from puberty and menstruation, pregnancy, to menopause, we’ve seen it. So it’s no surprise that birth control would similarly affect your sex drive! Many people experience a suppressed sex drive and vaginal dryness while on hormonal birth control, so coming off it can really open the flood gates (so to speak).

3. Improved mental health and emotional control

Hormonal birth control really has a tendency to take your body on a roller coaster — and your mental health is no exception. You might find increased mood swings or trouble controlling your emotions or you might find a more intense impact on your overall mental health causing anxiety and depression while on birth control… essentially like your normal powers of emotional stability went on holiday. Coming off of hormonal birth control can help you feel a sense of normalcy and balance return to your life, but remember it’s not a silver bullet. If you are struggling with depression and anxiety, seek the support of a health care provider to find the right solution for you.

4. Reduced acne

Some types of birth control help keep acne at bay, but others might be provoking it. If you  started birth control in your teens, it might be hard to tell which camp you fall into since acne is often associated with puberty. So if you struggle with your skin, coming off of birth control may hold a sneaky surprise for you! If your skin doesn’t clear up (or gets worse), seek the care of a dermatologist.

5. Boost in confidence

As we’ve pretty clearly established, basically every part of us is at the mercy of our hormones. If everything stabilizes and you remove the influx of hormones that might be throwing you off, it can leave you feeling pretty good… and pretty good about yourself! Better mental clarity, increased sex drive, emotional stability, and improved physical appearance can all lead to a boost in your overall mood and your self esteem!

CONS

1. Increased acne

Like we mentioned before, depending on how long you’ve been on birth control it’s hard to know what’s your personal norm vs what’s been normalized by your hormonal birth control. Unfortunately, stopping hormonal birth control may cause an increase in breakouts and changes to their skin. While it’s definitely no fun, don’t fret about it too much. A visit to your dermatologist can help you figure out how to treat your skin woes without compromising your desire to get off birth control.

2. Increased Period Symptoms

While your body adjusts to life without extra hormones, you’ll likely notice some changes to your period. A heavier flow, irregular periods, and intensified PMS symptoms like cramping, breast sensitivity, and acne. Things should level out with time but be prepared that your first few post-birth control cycles may hit a little harder. Break out the Advil and the heat pad… and if things don’t improve, break out the phone and call your doc.

3. Weight fluctuation

This could be a pro depending on who you ask, but a very common side effect of hormonal birth control (both getting on and off of it) is weight fluctuation. This varies person to person, some lose weight while others gain it. While a light to moderate fluctuation might not be too much of a concern, some people do notice a significant shift — which isn’t great in either direction! If you notice a concerning weight loss or gain, get in touch with your doctor.

4. Finding non-hormonal forms of birth control

If you want off the hormones but not the birth control, you’re now left with the task of finding a non hormonal option. This can be a tedious task and a bit daunting if you had a tough time finding birth control the first time around. This is a quest for you and your doctor to see if something like a copper IUD is right for you, or if trusty ol’ condoms are the way to go.

Bottom Line: Everybody reacts differently so the weight of these pros and cons will vary person to person. While most of these side effects are can be managed, some may be indicative of a different issue. Keep your primary care physician updated on your journey and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and ask for referrals or seek the guidance of other medical professionals; i.e. dermatologist, gynaecologist, mental health professional, nutritionist, naturopath, etc. Best things you can do for your transition off hormonal birth control are focus on a healthy diet that supports your estrogen metabolism and drink lots of water, take note of any severe side effects that might need medical attention, and research non hormonal birth control options such as condoms (male or female), copper IUD, or fertility tracking methods.