This past July was my last month with HBC (Nuvaring). I was without any BC until Oct, when I got the Paraguard "installed," as I like to call it.

Over time on the Ring (time being years), my symptoms decreased and evened out. I had horrible unpredictable and heavy periods before the Ring. Interestingly, I've never had much in the way of PMS symptoms such as mood swings or cramps. The most I would get is a backache. I've been on the Ring probably 8 years now and the last few years, I had no symptoms and had menses for maybe three days a month; very light and manageable. I used the diva cup without any problems this past year.

For about the past year and a half, though, I gradually started getting what I would consider "normal" PMS symptoms...normal, except that I had personally never had them and they were happening almost constantly. When I talked to my doctor (several doctors) about them, all they could tell me is "your body changes over time. In fact, the hormones in your BC are probably helping to keep these changes minor."

Really, doctors are full of it.

The change in how I felt after getting rid of the Ring could probably be compared to how a lot of people feel after a few weeks on Paleo: I felt more alive! Libido heightened almost immediately, strange PMS symptoms started to decrease, I felt happier, and more energetic. HBC, even the low-dose of the Ring, definitely had a negative affect on me. My guess is b/c the Ring is a more targeted and therefore lower dose, it took a while for the hormones to reach a level where I noticed them.

Unfortunately, my heavy, erratic cycles seem to have returned (TMI: on cycle [5+ days], I fill a Diva Cup at least once a day and have to wear a pad). I'm not sure if this is how my body operates or if it's being caused by the Paraguard. I am also experiencing other symptoms (emotional, crampy, etc), but they are at the appropriate times and I actually feel normal. I don't feel like they're something I need to talk to my useless doctor about.

I'm also craving more non-paleo foods than usual. I've been giving in to things like chocolate and cheese, but I'm thinking these cravings might be having an effect on my skin composition.

The only thing that's really worrying me right now is acne. I had maybe one small zit every now and then with the Ring. But it seems as if my face (and back and shoulders) erupted as soon as I dropped the Ring, but timed with my cycle. Now, it seems to be a constant thing. I'm still hoping it will even out as my hormones balance themselves, but wonder if that will take years. I've found that applying coconut oil while my face is still wet after a shower soothes the redness (if my face is dry, it seems to make it worse?).

I think dropping HBC is a great idea, if it works for you. It's important to be aware of how your body might react and be prepared to accept the consequences. 8)

I did exactly that. I thought I should get off to give my body a break, let it be more natural.

I regretted it almost immediately. I had mood swings, cramping, heavier flow, breakouts, breast pain, you name it. I went back on and am rather happy with my decision.

I've been off for over five years. They made me certifiably crazy, plus the weight gain around my gut was embarrassing. I use the Lady Comp and it has never failed me. Not once.

I had implanon for five years. I took it out about a month ago. So far libido is back, but no other changes. I'd like to get rid of my tummy though. I've had a period that lasted one day.

Interesting, it sounds like a lot of women haven't been happy going off birth control.

When I switched to paleo 6 months ago, I also went off the pill, which I had been taking for over 10 years (age 18-29). I kept menstruating regularly, but my cycle did lengthen, so that it's now halfway between the length they were when I was a teenager (6 weeks) and what they were on the pill (4 weeks). My period is much heavier now: I barely had any flow after a few years on the pill, which always worried me. The only noticeable changes are premenstrual breast tenderness/pain and a brief increase followed by a tank in libido. I'd really like to get my libido back up to a reasonable level, but I couldn't convince my doctor to test my hormone levels, so I don't know where I'm at. I guess I'll just give it more time and hope my hormones get to a better place and my libido improves to my pre-HBC levels?

I thought the pill was supose to help with ovarian cancer? My OBGYN wants me to stay on the pill until I stop my period. I watched Dr. Oz this week on cancer preventions & he said the same thing. Stay on the pill for prevention of ovarian cancer. I was off the pill for one month from running out. I have had the most horrible month being off the pill. Maybe it is my age. Most of you are in your late 20's or thirthies. I have never had children either. I had symptoms just like some of you. Anxiety, hot flushes (different from hot flashes) sad, cry, tired....I could go on. I am back on the pill & I never thought I would be so happy. I will not go off again until it is the right time. I am hoping that my body adjusts quickly. I am pleased with what I decided.

I was on the pill for about 3 months before I started noticing anxiety issues which I had never had before. I went off the pill right away which really threw my hormones off and had a week of severe depression and anxiety (and a couple panic attacks as well). I looked into this a lot and many women experience this after stopping the pill because it takes a while for your hormones to naturally balance out again. It's been about 3 weeks since I went off the pill and the mood swings come and go. I still don't feel back to myself 100% but I'm getting there. I think te fact that you're on a paleo diet will definitely help if you face any of these issues. Also there are many vitamin supplements you can take like B6 to help your body through this. I wish I had never gone on birth control, it is not at ALL worth going through all this.

I have to stay on the pill... I don't get a choice & I hate putting it in my body! grrr! :( Not a happy bunny!

I decided to go off birth control after hearing all the negativity about Yaz and the generic brand I was on after being on it for 5 years. I went off it in September and have not had my period or any sign of it since then. I started eating paleo in October and have lost about 30 pounds from doing so. Does anyone have any similar experience? I was told it can take up to 6 months to get my period back although it has been longer. I also am aware that losing weight can have an effect on your cycle as well. I am a normal body weight at 129 and 5'6 so I am not considered underweight.

I've been on and off of birth control for a couple years now. I started my periods when I was 9 and they were regular, every 28 days I'd get my period. Then I started taking Yaz when I was 14 (before everyone started making a big deal from it). I started getting rashes so I took myself off, threw my periods off balance. I've been on many different birth controls and I'll be 20 in just a couple of days. I didn't take birth control for a whole year just to see when I'd get my period next, well I only had 2 periods in one year, from going to regular 28 days, then to birth control (parent's made me be on them) and then to nothing. It got to the point where it looked like I was going to have a period (the doc said) then we waited a week and no period, my body reacted like I would have a period and never did. I would get every period symptom and no bleeding and it started getting uncomfortable, so now I'm on birth control and I still don't really get a period, it just looks like spotting and I'm not pregnant. So yeah, birth control ruined my body (I believe).