And knowing how to stop taking birth control pillssafelycan be confusing.
Here are some things to try:
1.
Start by drinking plenty of water tostay hydrated.
Granato says trying to eat an easy-to-digest breakfast, like acoconut milk smoothie.
Discuss all of this with your OB/GYN to help suss out the right choice for you.
And once the hormones level out, those things tend to dissipate, she stresses.
clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital
Prepping in advance by prioritizing your mental health can go a long way.
Weve broken things down into a timeline of month one through three and beyond.
The ideal time to discontinue birth control is following a hormone-free interval, she says.
So after having your period, you’ve got the option to simply stop taking the pills.
(She notes that quitting mid-cycle increases the risk of irregular bleeding.)
Combining that with methods of relaxationwhether thats practicing mindfulness or doing muscle relaxation or visualization techniquescan be very useful.
Need somewhere to start?
Try this15-minute happiness workoutfor an instant endorphin boost.
Skipping alcohol throughout the first few months of getting off the pill is essential, says Granato.
clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital
Alcohol [may have] the ability toknock our hormones off balanceand create inflammation in the body.
Instead, try making virgin versions of these avocado cocktailstrust us, you wont miss the booze.
Consider adding vitamins and supplements to your routineEveryones body reacts differently after quitting birth control.
One potential reaction is becoming deficient in certain essential vitamins and minerals.
Of course, ask your doctor for recommendations to see whats right for you.
In this case, starting a B-complex supplement may be helpful (if your doctor gives the okay).
Lastly, some women go on birth control to help relieve heavy periods that contributed to iron-deficiency anemia.
Magnesium supplements may also help with the cramping and aches you may feel as your periods start to return.
I often find that my clients are deficient in these two essential minerals, says Granato.
If you dont want to try supplements, getting these nutrients through food is the best approach.
Trymagnesium-rich foods, like spinach or dark chocolate, orfoods rich in iron, like beef or beans.
The hormones are really affected by stress levels, she says.
From the yoga side of it, the simplest way to address stress is by doing restorative postures.
The exact poses you choose dont really matter, she says.
Its more about being able to relax and breathe.
Even acupuncture and some traditional Chinese medicine practices may help with hormonal rebalance, says Cruikshank.
FAQ
How long does birth control withdrawal last?
However, withdrawal symptoms like bleeding can last for weeks to three months after stopping the pill.
By three months, things should start to return to your normal, per theUniversity of Rochester Medical Center.
How long should you be off birth control before trying to have a baby?
Most women are able to get pregnant within a year of stopping this throw in of pill.
That said, you may still want to give your body time to adjust before trying to conceive.
In that case, you’ve got the option to use barrier methods like condoms to prevent pregnancy.
How do you get your sex drive back after stopping the pill?
Learninghow to get your sex drive back after stopping the pillmay require some trial and error.
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