Side effects of stopping the birth control pill...depression?

I am so glad I found this forum, too! I just stopped taking the pill a week ago (when I would have started a new pack), and I'm going to try to detail my symptoms on a regular basis, in hopes that I will have a mostly positive, rather than negative experience with this whole process, and in doing so encourage someone else!

I have been taking Cryselle (generic for Lo-Ovral, I think) for the past 4 years (ages 21-25) and have recently decided to quit taking the pills for a variety of reasons. The "au naturel" approach has always appealed to me, and after reading all of these posts, I'm even more determined to rid my body of the (maybe dangerous, maybe not) chemicals I've been putting into it for so long. I never really had an issue with my periods before going on the pill (except for losing it for about 9 months when I first started competing in sports in high school), so I'm not too worried about that side of things, but I have had issues with anxiety/mild depression and moderate acne (and extremely oily skin). I went on Accutane when I was 18 to treat the acne, and my skin was absolutely perfect (and MUCH drier) for two or three years afterward. The acne hasn't returned to the same degree, and the oiliness never has, but I do have problems with dry/flaky skin and generally uneven complexion now (maybe related to the pill, but I don't know for sure). My feelings of anxiety and depression didn't start until around the time I went on the pill, so again, I'm not sure if it was caused by the pill or merely a coincidence. I have been treating the depression and anxiety VERY successfully by way of 5-HTP (a natural supplement that promotes the release of seratonin in the brain, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-HTP for more info), also for the past several years. I have never slept better or had more vivid dreams than on the 5-HTP!

I should also mention that I have been married for almost two years, and while my husband and I are not looking to have children at the moment (I would still have to work full-time), we are open to the possibility. It took my mom a very long time (as in years) to get pregnant with me, and I was the only child she was able to have, so I don't want to wait until some "magic age" and decide I want to have children, only to be devastated to find out that I can't, or to have to wait for years to conceive.

So this week, week 1 of being off of the pill, I have noticed only two main side effects:
1) DRAMATIC increase in sex drive, no kidding--I feel like a teenager again! I think this is going to do wonders for my husband's and my sex life. I went on the pill after we had only been sleeping together for about 6 months, and things have gone downhill significantly since then. I once attributed it to the relationship simply being more comfortable and established, but I'm now convinced that the pill was at least partly to blame.
2) Dizzy spells when I stand up too quickly--yikes!

Any other side effects (bloating, cramps, etc.) have been mild and I wouldn't yet be able to connect them directly to stopping the pill.

I'll update again soon--best of luck to everyone else out there dealing with this same journey to the "unknown"! 8-| :-D

Well, it looks like no one has been here since I last posted, but I'll go ahead and update anyway.

I haven't noticed any new side effects this week, my second week off of the pill. The same effects from the first week (increased sex drive and dizziness) have continued, though perhaps to a lesser degree. I've become a little more tentative about sex now that the reality is setting in that I could (presumably) become pregnant very easily. o.O

I haven't noticed any changes in my skin or moods, although I might be able to say that my appetite has decreased a bit. I'm trying to lose a few pounds and have found it a bit easier than usual to resist overeating and haven't had any cravings for sweets.

So, the good news is, there's really not much to report! I certainly wouldn't discount the other reports of depression and anxiety as side effects, but I just wanted to let everyone know that there is someone out there who is handling the transition just fine (so far). ;-)

Interestingly enough I seem to have a different reaction with the pill. I went off the pill for 2 years prior to conceiving and while pregnate, and I breastfed. After I weaned my baby, I went on birth control and my depression came back. I had never felt so happy and relaxed as when I was off the pill! I was on the depo shot for about 6 years and the pill for 4 years. Depression runs rampid in my family and I've experienced it on and off throughout life. But for the last 2 years, I've been depressoin free. Now for 6 months, I've been trying anti-depressants and am questioning if maybe it is the pill causing the depression. I'm so glad to come acrossed this topic as I see several women were not looking forward to the challenge of the emotional rollar coaster of pregnancy. Interestingly enough, my pregnancy was the most calm time of my life.

Hello Everyone and thank you for your time.

I had been on the pill for over 10 years until recently.

While I haven't experienced the side effects some of you have mentioned in the previous posts, I am having soreness of my breasts. I went through most of the previous posts and didn't see any mention of this.

Has anyone ever experienced this after stopping the pill?

Thanks Again!

Thank God for this sight!! I went of the pill in May and was fine for the first month. Last week at work I nearly passed out at work and my co-workers called for an ambulance. The hospital said that I had a panic attack... I have been very light headed ever since and had another panic attack two days ago. The only thing I changed in the last couple of months was going off the pill. Well I googled side effects of going off birth control and it brought me here. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write about what has been going on with them. I now know that I am not losing my mind and there are woman out there going through the same thing. I am just curious how long the light headed and dizziness lasts and has it gome away completely for anyone? I called my OBGYN and asked them if they knew of any side affects and they are telling me no. I have been on birth control since 17 I am now 33. I went off BC twice to have my two children but once I had my second child I went on Seasonique which is 4 periods a year. I have been on that particular BC for 4 years. Why don't the Dr's know all these side affects of going off the pill?

I am happy to have found this site. I was so worried about what was happening to me. I didn't completely connect it with getting off the pill because the symptoms took about a month and a half to really manifest. I assume it was because there was still some hormones left in my system for the first month or so. I had nausea since stopping, but then after my 2nd period after stopping the pill, which happened a week early, I had my first attack of vertigo. I have never had this before and the dizziness/lightheadedness continued. It was making the nausea continue too. Then I started getting night sweats and panic attacks- never before had I had these. I spoke to my mother-in-law and she said it was like having symptoms of menopause.

I had gone to the doctors, blood tests normal, still waiting to do an MRI and audiology b/c I also had some ear pressure, maybe due to allergies or another symptom of going off the pill. I will do the follow-up tests, but I also think there is some hormone reaction going on. I couldn't take it anymore so I went to Whole Foods to get hormone balancing pills or tea. I have also been drinking soy. At least to hopefully ease the transition. When women take HRT they are often given lower and lower doses to ease their way into going off HRT. Why don't doctors do the same for birth control and just tell women to use condoms or not have sex during this time?

The reason there are so many doctors that say this couldn't be a result of going off the pill is because they actually don't know. I have not found any studies to say one way or another...only studies on side effects of being on the pill. ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE ISN'T EVIDENCE FOR ABSENCE OF EFFECT.

Hi Everyone,
Well it is July 12, I last posted about 2 months ago. I have been off the pill for about 10 months (which I just stopped cold turkey). I am still feeling dizziness/off-balance (on a boat) and off and on weakness in my legs, which I think is the anxiety. I have anxiety almost every day--it is worse at work, restaurants, the grocery store, shopping--almost a social one. Which really makes sense because I think stress--can affect your hormones and vice versa so it is all a crazy circle. I have noticed that my periods aren't on a consistent schedule yet either--so I think it is just further evidence I am still battling it.
I have some days where I don't know what else to do and just want to cry. I have been really tough though and just going on. I have a great support system-even though I feel like I am driving them crazy.
I've tried a liver detox---(since the liver really works to flush bad things out of our bodies) and while I felt healthier it didn't stop my symptoms. I know that the feelings I have, have to be related to going off the pill. Today--I went to my local health food store and talked to the founder. I told her everything I have been feeling since going off the pill. She was really nice and understanding and directed me right to a natural herb that is supposed to help balance your hormones. Now it is for pre- and menopausal women. If anyone is interested you can check it out on Gaiaherbs.com It is called Phyto-Estrogen. I really hope it helps--she acted like it would and soon. I think you really need to stay on it for 2-4 months. Hope this helps me and anyone else that is in this BCP hell.

Hey there!

Your post was very helpful. I'm curious if you have another update as to any other side effects you had after stopping? I was similar to you prior to taking the pill and am considering stopping after this pack. However, my husband and I have a vacation planned in two weeks and don't want to encounter any bad side effects from stopping the pill (a surprise early period, depression, etc.). Did you experience any of this after stopping the pill? How long before your period returned?

Thanks for your help, curious in Ohio :)

Hey there!

Your post was very helpful. I'm curious if you have another update as to any other side effects you had after stopping? I was similar to you prior to taking the pill and am considering stopping after this pack. However, my husband and I have a vacation planned in two weeks and don't want to encounter any bad side effects from stopping the pill (a surprise early period, depression, etc.). Did you experience any of this after stopping the pill? How long before your period returned?

Thanks for your help!

My wife stopped taking the birth control pill about 5 months ago. When she first stopped, things were great.

Recently, the last 4 months or so, she's gotten really distant from me. She hardly speaks to me anymore, and it seems like she doesn't want anything to do with me. We haven't had sex in 4 months and she shows no interest whatsoever to even hold my hand, let alone have sex. She's told me she's been very unhappy lately, and that she's not happy with me.

Can being off the pill cause her to act like this? She's also mentioned that's she tired a lot, and doesn't sleep well at times. How can I convince her to go see a doctor to see if this is what's causing it?

I don't know what to do.

well I too stuffed while on the pill. I was on the pill after having my last son shorty after taking it I started having Anxiety and panic attacks so sever that I thought I was going to die so many time over and over again going back and forward to the hospital. But I didn't at first think that it was due to the BCP I thought it was just me. I still suffer to this day but not as bad. like I said I've been taking ortho tri cyclen (low) for three and half years, I've just stop taking them about a week ago and my god DEPRESSION 8-|
am so up and down right now it's not funny:( chills, hot flashes, mood swings, crying and dizziness . but this is not the first time I've tried to stop last time I stayed off for about a mouth and still the same happened then so I just went back on. I feel like there really any No use safe choose out there. God bless you all!

today is day 8 off the pill. i've been on , minus 2 kids, for 15 years. after reading all these messages, i'm scared to death aout being off the pill. since i'm near 35, and a smoker, i understand how dangerous it is, so i stopped. how can i make my husband read these threads and believe me when i say that i have no idea what's wrong? any thoughts as to when i can expect to have my next period? i just had it 1 week ago and it lasted 4 days

Hi everyone,
I am soooo happy I have found this discussion page. I have been on birthcontrol for the last 3 1/2 years and have recently stopped using it (this is week 2 without it) due to frequent headaches and just a personal decision to stop taking it . I am a medical student and at first I thought what I was experiencing was anxiety about becoming a doctor, school and life in general. I have never been this depressed and had so many anxiety attacks on a daily basis. After some denial and thinking "maybe it will go away on its own" I decided to make an appointment with my doctor before things got too bad to get some insight from him. Its good to know that I am not the only person experiencing these kinds of symptoms. What I've been feeling is an over all malaise, with feelings that I am "getting old" even though I am only 23, a fear of sudden death, panic attacks whenever the smallest thing goes wrong, and overall aggresiveness and uninterest in my boyfriend and friends. I will leave another post after I've seen my doctor to re update anyone that may be interested.
hang in there ladies!
god bless

Hi everyone
I am feeling relieved at hearing how going off the pill can effect one.
I have been off Dianette for 3 weeks now and have had a tough time.
I feel depressed and very tearful.I am suffering from extreme fatigue and dizziness/low blood pressure.My stomach is so bloated,I look pregnant.
I wonder how long this will last!Strange that GP's don't warn one that there are possible side-effects.Suppose it is to be expected when your body has got used to it.I have been on the pill for 6 years since my last pregnancy.Good luck to all!

I stopped taking the birth control pill two months ago and am having panic attacks daily and suffering from increasing depression. I have struggled with depression my whole life, but it has been well controlled with 20mg celexa. I am generally a very happy person but am confused why I am all of the sudden struggling with panic attacks and fear of flying. Does anyone know how long it takes for these symptoms to go away. My pyschiatrist recomends increasing my dose of celexa but I want to get pregnant soon and want to get off of it all together. Any ideas? I am really struggling