What happens if you stop taking the pill?
introduction
Women who take the pill supply their bodies with relatively large amounts of hormones. The hormones contained in the common pills occur naturally in the body, but are subject to strict, cycle-dependent regulation.
To prevent excessive circulation of these hormones within the bloodstream, the ovaries in particular can reduce production. Depending on the actual cycle-dependent need, the hormone production by the ovaries can also be increased. In this way, the organism is able to precisely control every section of the natural menstrual cycle.
A Imbalance For example, within the hormonal balance can lead to that during the cycle no egg mature and thus no fertilization can take place. This can be particularly devastating for women who want to have children.
The oppression of Ovulation by influencing the natural hormonal balance, however, can also desired be. Women, for example the so-called Mini pill as Contraceptives can prevent you from conceiving by accident. Classic mini pills act on the natural menstrual cycle in such a way that ovulation itself is not prevented. However, the mechanism of action of the classic mini pills is based on one Disruption of the structure of the lining of the uterus. However, this must reach a certain thickness in order to receive a fertilized egg cell. By influencing the cycle-dependent structure of the uterine lining, classic mini pills can reliably prevent conception.
In addition, some of the known pills stimulate the Formation of a tough plug of mucus at the entrance to the uterus. This mucus plug is for Sperm nearly impermeable and can thus further reduce the likelihood of an egg cell being fertilized.
The pill is now considered one of the most reliable Contraceptives. However, the effectiveness of the pill can only be at proper intake guaranteed. In addition, women who regularly take the pill should note that the interfering with the natural hormonal balance causes more occurrence Side effects can come.
Consequences of weaning
Most women are inevitably confronted with the decision to stop taking the pill or similar hormonal contraceptives at some point. But what exactly happens in the body when you stop taking the pill?
First and foremost, it must be noted in this context that the natural hormonal balance when you stop taking the pill, slowly adjusts again. As a result, there may be irregularities in the course of the natural menstrual cycle for the time being. In spite of stopping the pill, it usually lasts several months until fertility is restored.
Stopping the pill should always be very carefully considered. Because regardless of whether you want to have children when you withdraw the pill or whether you stop taking the pill in order to avoid sexual intercourse, pronounced reactions can occur in the body. The pill should be because of this never discontinued at short notice become. Ideally, women who plan to stop taking the pill should contact their gynecologist beforehand. This can also explain to the patient exactly what happens when you stop taking the pill.
As a rule, however, it should be assumed that the following symptoms can occur, especially during the acute transition phase:
Irregular Menstrual bleeding
Decreased or increased menstrual bleeding
No menstrual bleeding
Failure to ovulate
Changes in the nature and amount of cervical mucus
Blemishes
Rashes
Scaly or Oily hair
Hair loss
However, fertility itself is not affected by long-term pill use. Even women who have been taking the pill for years can get pregnant again within a few months after stopping the hormonal contraceptive.
In addition to the symptoms already mentioned, which can occur a short time after stopping the pill, the hormone withdrawal has also positive influences on the body. Due to the significant interference in the natural hormonal balance, the risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis) increased. As a result, it can become too Strokes and or Pulmonary embolism come. For this reason, women who take the pill should clarify with their doctor a few weeks before a planned major operation whether the pill can still be taken. In some cases it is mandatory to stop taking the pill. This is the case, for example, in operations that restrict mobility over a long period of time or make it difficult to stay in bed. Otherwise there is a risk of thrombosis.
In addition, women who have since started taking the pill should also take migraine suffer that Drop Consider taking the pill. In these cases it is necessary to switch to another contraceptive, such as the Copper spiral often makes sense. What happens to these women when they stop taking the pill is usually a significant reduction in the likelihood of another migraine attack.
Many women also assume that it makes sense for the body to take the pill occasionally stopping for a short time. In general, however, it should be assumed that such short “hormonal breaks” for the organism rather harmful are considered profitable. So you should never stop taking the pill for a short period of time without a medical reason.
But what exactly happens in the body when you stop taking the pill and start taking it again a short time later (so-called "Pill break"). In most cases, this behavior has extensive effects on the natural hormonal balance. The sudden drop in hormone concentration can mess up the entire hormonal balance for months.
Some women develop because of this complaints how:
- Strength a headache
- Menstrual pain
- Circulatory problems
In addition, stopping the pill for a short time can reduce the Influence the psyche sustainably. Some women respond to the sudden drop in hormone levels with Irritable states and increased aggressiveness.
When will I be fertile again?
Women who have an acute desire to have children often wonder what happens when they stop taking the pill and when they will be fertile again. Unfortunately, there is no general answer to this question. Since the natural hormonal balance and thus also the course of the menstrual cycle is strongly influenced by taking the pill, the organism also needs one when you stop taking the pill certain time to change. How long the change in hormone balance actually takes after stopping the pill and when you are fertile again can vary clearly differ from woman to woman.
The question of what happens when you stop taking the pill cannot therefore be answered in relation to when you will be fertile again. What is certain, however, is that the fertility is only then restored when the menstrual cycle returns to normal and orderly. For some women, after stopping the pill, there is a shift in each part of the cycle. This can mean that in individual menstrual cycles ovulation cannot occur and, for this reason, conception cannot occur either. In other women, after stopping the pill, ovulation occurs early again, but the length of the second half of the cycle is not sufficient to ensure the implantation of a fertilized egg. The second half of the menstrual cycle would have to be at least 10 to 12 days.
In addition, if you stop taking the pill, the first half of the menstrual cycle can shift significantly. As a result, ovulation may not take place between the 13th and 14th day of the cycle, but much later. In these women, too, the hormonal balance has to change before they are fertile again.
In general, it can be assumed that the cycle at about the Half of the womenwho are stopping the pill already leveled off again after a short time Has. For the remaining 50 percent of women, it mostly just takes time a few months until the hormonal change is complete and the menstrual cycle goes smoothly again.
Most experts assume in this context that the Duration of intake one significant influence on when you will be fertile again after stopping the pill. It can therefore be assumed that after several years of pill intake, the body usually needs significantly longer to adjust again.
Weight changes
Most young girls already have significant weight changes when they start taking the pills. Especially when ingested more concentrated hormonal contraceptives many women may gain significant weight.
Since the frequency of prescribing the so-called "Mini pill“Has increased significantly, the cases of weight changes are after the start of the intake drastically decreased. Women who start taking the minipill often report it since they started taking it lost weight to have. For most young women, however, the pill has no longer had any effect on weight since the hormone concentration was changed.
Changes in weight that are related to the start of the pill are primarily caused by interference with the natural hormonal balance. The question of what happens when you stop taking the pill can be related to a possible weight change for this reason not answered across the board become. Basically, if you stop taking the pill, you may gain weight.
Also clear Weight loss can often be observed after you stop taking the pill. Weight changes in the form of weight gain can usually be directly related to the hormonal change. Due to the sudden lack of hormones, many women tend to Food cravings to develop and therefore put on a few pounds.
However, as it also increases in the course of taking the pill increased water retention can come, there is also the possibility of losing weight if you stop taking the pill. The reason for this is then the fact that the excess fluid is flushed out of the tissue and over the Kidneys is eliminated.
Skin changes
In addition to changes in weight, there are also influences on the skin and the Hair structure about the typical side effects of the pill.For this reason, if you stop taking the pill, pronounced skin changes can occur.
The main reason for this is the fact that both the surface of the skin and the hair Due to the hormonal change suddenly a complete other care need. Women whose skin has changed positively after taking the pill must also expect that skin changes may occur again after stopping the synthetic hormones. Especially the recurrence of Pimples and acne can be seen frequently when one comes to stop taking the pill.
Influence on mood
The pill is still one of the most popular hormonal contraceptives worldwide. Many women start using this contraceptive during puberty. The reason for this is not necessarily the fact that unwanted conception can be safely prevented with regular use of the pill.
By interfering with the natural hormonal balance, the pill can also help treat skin problems.
In addition, the pill can provide relief to women who suffer from severe menstrual cramps.
The pill also often has a positive effect on mood. By taking the pill regularly, severe mood swings can often be prevented. Since the influence of this hormonal contraceptive on the organism is so diverse, some women wonder what happens when they stop taking the pill.
Above all, the effect of hormone withdrawal on mood plays a crucial role. In fact, many women who have been taking the pill for years have found that sudden hormone withdrawal can have a profound effect on mood. Affected women suffer from pronounced mood swings, especially in the first few weeks after stopping the pill.
In addition, it can be observed that some women become progressively more depressed and listless immediately after they stop taking the pill. Because of this, it is believed that sudden hormone withdrawal can shift mood in a more depressive direction.
Read more on this topic: Depression from the Pill? - Is there something to it?
