Your experience sounds much like mine! I was on birth control for a similar eleven-year duration.

After stopping the pill, I had an immediate cycle (about 3-4 days after stopping, which lasted another 3-4 days), but then it took 37 days for me to get my first "true" period, and approximately 35-36 days for subsequent ones. Four months in, and it was only 30 days. I'm experiencing PMS right now (o hai thar, chocolate!) and if I start when I anticipate that I will, it would have been 30-31 days. Therefore, it took me about 3-4 months to regulate.

My face is calming down, as well. I had a nasty rash of acne on my forehead and chin immediately after, but it's down to just a couple spots now.

I also gained a few pounds as a result of birth control/cessation, and while it's since stabilized, it will take renewed effort to shed these unwanted pounds. Just a head's up on that; I'm not sure of other women have gained weight stopping contraception, but I did. (I was not eating in excess, either, as I am quite fastidious about tracking my intake.)

I'm also experiencing mid-cycle cramping during ovulation. Again, not sure how common that is, but that's just my experience.

On the upside, my libido is now like, "Yay! Sex!" and I'm feeling much more warmer and affectionate toward my mate. On the downside, the hormone fluctuations have triggered a spike in anxiety and carb cravings (probably linked!) which I have honored, in moderation. (Oh, hell, who am I kidding? I attacked and killed a jar of Nutella this morning and if it threatens me again, I will not hesitate to remind it who is in charge around here.)

Congrats on taking such an empowering step toward regaining your health! I hope your cycle sorts itself out soon. :)

Don't forget to be very careful! You are very fertile the first few months off the pill!

I agree with your characterization of the common ill-health effects of the pill, and though I am by no means an expert on the subject, it just stands to reason that your body needs, and seeks, a period to readjust homeostasis, toward well-being. In short, you may expert "bad" effects as you finally rid your body of compounds that have artificially produced mini-menopause in your body for quite some time. Hang in there, keep getting well!

Hello, I'm 25 and just went off the pill ~3 months ago after having been on it since I was 17. I also noticed several of the symptoms you've mentioned but I believe my body began to be fully adjusted a few weeks ago as the odd symptoms have subsided. I now feel completely normal. Based on research I have done, your body is just ridding itself of a substence it had become extremely familiar with so it will have to do some adjusting.

I'd say hang in there a few more weeks and you should notice your body returning to normal - without the "aweful poison." :)

I've "gone off" twice. Though - this time it is for good. The first time I went off the pill, about 6 months later I developed major acne (and I normally have very clear skin). I ended up going back on it for a few years, but now have gone off of it for good. My main "side effects" are just that I am experiencing a more natural period...more painful cramps, heavier flow, and longer cycles (mine is about 31 days, not 28). Oh and my massive mood swings have disappeared --yay!!!!

I also am now able to control my weight better, as the pill was making me gain weight because of the excess hormones.

Everyone has different "side effects". I agree with the one comment - your body will return to normal, just give it a bit of time to get used to functioning naturally, on its own.

I went off the pill and it took 8 months to a year to have a regular cycle. I probably didn't menstruate at all for the first 6 months. From what I hear, everyone's body is different when coming off the hormones.

even though I didn't have a period, I still experienced PMS sympthoms (kind of frustrating when there's no payoff in the end...)

So I agree with all the people who say just give your body time to normalize. keep up the paleo diet... It'll help with the hormonal regulations. Supplementing with Maca powder is pretty good too.

I went off the pill in May 2011 and got one period within a month, but then went 80+ days without one. I got hormone testing by an endo who said everything was normal, and that sometimes it takes a while for the period to normalize again. Since it came back, it has been very regular.

I went off the pill for about 3 months and put on weight from it, then went back on for 3 weeks and have finally decided to get off it for good. When I realised that my body hadn't been producing its own hormones for the 3 years that I was on the pill, it creeped me out. The weight gain is because estrogen is stored in fat, and I'm assuming that a body suddenly without synthetic estrogen needs somewhere to put the natural estrogen that comes back. Really hoping that the kilos will drop off once my hormones stabilise. I'm also taking vitex and drinking dandelion tea this time round, hopefully it will help!

I went off after being on it for 16 years straight. It took a good year before I started to get normal. That whole year was a roller coaster. I was irregular, emotionally unstable, etc. It wasn't fun. I can't tell you what it was like once I regulated though because I got pregnant! Haha that was the point anyway. But yes, sounds similar to my experience. I think you just have to eat healthfully and do your best to rid yourself of other hormone disruptors - the obvious ones like conventionally produced dairy and beef (complete with added hormones), but also the hidden ones, like BPA, sunscreen, other cosmetics and skin care, even some cleaning products and laundry detergent. The fewer disruptors in your environment the better. But eventually your body will figure it out and go back to normal! Good luck!

The pill is such a regret , looking back it made me eat like a pig and put on like 2 stone it made me unhappy and angry all the time . Now I'm off it I can barely eat one meal a day , I got bleeding within 3 days of coming off it , doctors are so determined to put woman on birth control without telling us anything about it and without checking how it affecting us.

I had night sweats while on the pill , I went off sex it made my relationship hard because I just felt angry all the time for no reason . My heart felt very funny at times and I also had pain in my legs and because I was putting weight on it made my varicose veins bad , bare in mind I am only 22 these are not things a young woman wants to think about they do not make her feel attractive.

I have noticed my entire body shape changing in just A few weeks I am relieved to be off it and my moods are much happier , my stomach is flat and my face is thinner also one of my friends remarked I looked more feminine.

Ultimately these pills change your body , and how you feel about yourself. I don't see why should deform my body for a mans benefit considering the man I took for in the first place left me . My boy freind now respects my choices and I feel happier knowing I am not going to get bigger and bigger any more .

tHE only thing right now which is really bizarre is the almost entire loss of appetite ,I was very thin before I took this .

your post hits my proverbial nail on the head. i felt like i was about to get my period for close to three months after being on the pill for 10 years. i somehow started cycling again around 24 days after stopping and have been pretty regular ever since. track yourself closely. i like monthlyinfo.com for that. you can also input BBT in your "notes" each day as well if you are so inclined. happy hormones to you! :)