9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Go Off The Pill

going off birth control pill
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You're probably well versed in all the changes that can happen when you go on the Pill (such as lighter periods, fewer cramps, no pregnancy scares). But what about when you go off it? Whether you're ditching birth control because you want to get pregnant or just because you don't need it right now, you're probably curious about any changes that may come with going pill-free. 

So we spoke to a few experts to find out how going off hormonal birth control can affect your body. Keep in mind, these symptoms may vary from woman to woman, but it's still great intel to keep in mind.

1. You may experience heavier periods and worse cramps.
A lot of women go on the Pill because it’s known to keep raging PMS at bay. So if you suffered from debilitating cramps and unpredictable periods before the Pill, you can bet those will come back once you stop taking it, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine. That's because the Pill's progesterone and estrogen stop your body from ovulating, and ovulating is what causes many women pain and discomfort around their time of the month.

MORE: 10 Birth Control Myths—Debunked!

2. You could lose a little weight.
“Science shows that a third of women lose weight, a third gain weight, and a third stay the same when on the Pill,” says ob-gyn Alyssa Dweck, MD, coauthor of V Is for Vagina. There may be a combination of reasons for weight gain on the Pill such as hormones, diet, or water retention, or it could just be that many women start birth control when they're still growing to full adulthood. Still, you may notice that you drop a few pounds (mostly water weight) after you stop birth control. That said, if you're taking the Depo-Provera shot, you may lose up to 5 pounds, since this method has been shown to cause more weight gain than others.

3. Your breasts may deflate a tiny bit.

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If your boobs grew on birth control—thanks to the progesterone and estrogen components—they may shrink back to their original size, says Dweck. Again, this isn't always the case for all women.

MORE: 7 Benefits Of Birth Control

4. Your body will produce more discharge.
Because the Pill suppresses the body’s ability to ovulate, you'll usually produce less vaginal secretions while you're on it. You produce more discharge when you're ovulating because it’s your body’s way of naturally facilitating pregnancy, explains Dweck. “You'll notice more moisture once you’re off of it—especially around ovulation.”

5. Your sex drive may improve.
One of the biggest complaints women have about the Pill is that it can kill their sex drive. While this definitely doesn't affect everyone (some women have higher libido with birth control!), hormones may be to blame. “Some women have lower testosterone levels on the Pill, and because they don’t ovulate, it can affect their sex drive,” says Dweck. Some ladies may also experience vaginal dryness on birth control, which should also let up when they stop taking it. If these are currently issues for you on birth control, a higher libido might be in your future.

6. Your PMS symptoms might get worse.
If your PMS used to hit you (and everyone around you) hard every month, get ready for that to return. Minkin warns that if you were moody before you were on the Pill, chances are you will be moody off of it. Any headaches, breast tenderness, food cravings, and other symptoms you experienced prior to being on birth control may come back as well. Bummer!

7. You can get pregnant ASAP.

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Obviously, if you go off birth control it’s easier for you to get pregnant unless you use a backup form of protection. If you were using the birth control pill, the ring, or an IUD, your ability to get pregnant bounces back right away, says Dweck. However, if you were taking Depo-Provera shots, it may take a few months for them to be completely out of your system. (Dweck stresses that you should still use a backup method if you're not trying to get pregnant right away.)

8. You may actually feel or see yourself ovulating.
For some women, ovulation is a pretty obvious occurrence each month when you're off birth control. “Those who can [detect ovulation] may feel twinges of discomfort for a few hours, have increased vaginal secretions that are slippery and clear, and may even feel extra aroused,” explains Dweck. In fact, these are all cues that some women look for if they're trying to get pregnant. Still, if birth control has halted your ovulation for years, that random mid-cycle pain and weird discharge can be pretty shocking.

MORE: 22 Women Share Why They Really Take Birth Control

9. That dreaded acne may come back.

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Some women choose to go on birth control to control their acne. Unfortunately, one of the downsides of going off birth control can be that your skin will start breaking out again. “When you’re on the Pill, your testosterone levels go down, which prevents breakouts. But it goes up when you go off of it, and as a result, acne returns,” explains Dweck. If you experience severe acne, it’s best to see a dermatologist right before you make the switch to see if she can help.

The article 9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Go Off The Pill originally ran on WomensHealthMag.com.

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