Coming off the pill

mrscoops  @nessarourke I was the same, I wanted to come off for other reasons than to get pregnant. I had been on it for 10 years. I was worried as I had heard lots of people say about weight/skin and messed up periods etc but I can honestly say I didnt experience any of that. I came of my pill and went back to having normal periods literally from the next month, they just stayed exactly the same as when I was on the pill (give or take a day or two). I didnt let my GP know, it was up to me and I figured as long as everything went ok why waste their time. I guess everyone's bodies are different but I really didn't have any problems at all coming off mine. I am planning on trying for a baby after our wedding in 6 months but have been off my pill for about 2 years now so we shall see. Hope this helps a bit xx

joski28  @nessarourke Same here, I came off the pill after 9 years on it (20 months ago, to get pregnant, nothing yet) and I can honestly say I didn't notice any changes whatsoever and my periods are actually a lot lighter. I didn't inform my doctor either, I just didn't go back for my repeat. xxx

gina130284  Hey hun I came off mine this time last year and my periods are regularly irregular!! My cycle is 7 1/2 weeks, which isn't textbook normalbut its been like this snce I came off! I did tell my GP in Feb this year but that was because we decided to start trying for a baby (got engaged in June though and decided to get married first so no longer 'trying' but I havent gone back on the pill).

Obviously if you come off now you're going to have to be very careful if you want a baby after your wedding.

Every woman's body is different though. We 'tried' for 6 months and got nowhere whereas my friend came off her pill and was pregnant a month later! Im not sure what the health problems are with coming off the pill though. xx

girlie180  @nessarourke I came off the pill about 3 years ago due to my doctor saying I couldn't be on it anymore as we have a lot of breast cancer in the family. I was in the pill for about 8 years and it took my body about 10 months before my periods came back properly, I was going from 2 1/2 weeks to over 7 weeks... But now it's more regular...

jen150912  @nessarourke I know what you mean hun! I came off the pill when I first met h2b as the antibiotics I was taking for constant bouts of tonsilitis meant it had no effect at all, and I'd had to go to the family planning clinic a few times when condoms broke. On the last trip to the FPC the doctor asked me if I'd ever considered the coil - which I hadn't. So, that day I had the coil fitted (which is immediately effective against pregnancy), took the rest of my pill packet as usual, and haven't taken one since. My periods started quite heavily and crampy for the first few months, but 2yrs on they're regular, pain free, and no problem at all. I don't know if I'm in the minority with that one though!! I wouldn't say you have to inform your GP as such - but go along and make an appointment to get a wee health check before you do, and talk to them about it. Being on the pill is your choice - your GP shouldn't be telling you what to do!! xx

nessarourke  @mrscoops @joski28 @gina130284 @girlie180 @jen150912

Thanks for all your advice ladies, after discussing it with h2b I'v decided to go ahead. I took my last ill on Sunday (18th) and am supposed to retake it next Monday (26th) But im not going to. Im not going to my doctor either, cant be doing with the hassle!!

As regards doctors, my little sister (Who is 18) was having problems so went to see her Dr. She told my sister that she wanted to put her on the mini pill so she wouldn't get a period. My sister said she didn't want this and if that was her only option then she would continue her pill and put up with it. The Dr's response...... "Well then you can go to a different Dr because I refuse to prescribe it you!!"

xx

gina130284  @nessarourke Thats disgraceful!! If my GP said that to me I'd request a meeting with the practice manager!!!!!

nextmrstaylor  @nessarourke thats shocking, did she given a reason as to why she refuses to prescribe it for her? xx

nessarourke  @gina130284 @nextmrstaylor

I know its just awful. So glad im not at that practice anymore! All she said was that shes really not happy to prescribe her the pill shes on knowing that its causing my sister problems...
Which without being too crude is only a bit of constipation and could be handled with over the counter remedies!!

What I dont understand is why the Dr didnt try her on a different pill... rather than shoot straight for mini pill
Iv been on at least 6 different ones and shes only tried 2! xx

gina130284  @nessarourke Or can be helped by eating alot of wholemeal fibre, fruit and veg rather than more medication.

laraandsteve  @nessarourke I use our FPC for everything pill related as 1) It's their area of expertise so they offer you different options and 2) they give it to you there and then so no pharmacy trips! My GP is fantastic but he put me on the mini pill (which I don't mind now but at the time was miffed as I was quite happy on the normal pill) as he didn't really know a lot about pill options. I'd always recommend going to the Family Planning Clinic for everything like this! x