COMING OFF THE PILL: WHAT I LEARNT
My Honest Experience Coming Off the Pill
Coming off the pill (or any hormonal contraceptive) is one of those things that’s talked about a lot, but rarely with real honesty. I’ve been through it, and I know firsthand how different the experience is for everyone. While some people glide through the transition, others (like me!) go through unexpected ups and downs physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Here’s everything I wish I’d known beforehand, plus what helped me manage the side effects with a bit more grace.
WHY DID I COME OFF THE PILL AFTER 6+ YEARS?
I finally decided to come off the pill after years of feeling like my body was sending me signals I couldn’t fully understand. I was dealing with acne that wouldn’t go away, constant gut issues, recurring UTIs and yeast infections and I was just over it. It felt like I was patching symptoms instead of getting to the root of what was really going on.
What really pushed me was the growing frustration that I didn’t feel in tune with my body. I couldn’t tell what my natural cycle was like or what my hormones were doing, I felt disconnected from my own health.
With the encouragement of my naturopath, I started looking at more holistic ways to support my body, and part of that was stepping away from synthetic hormones to really see what my body needed. It wasn’t an easy decision (and definitely came with some symptoms), but for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was finally getting to know my body not just manage it.
Why the Side Effects POST PILL Vary So Much
Your hormonal makeup is as personal as your fingerprint. That means your experience coming off the pill will be totally unique to you. Yes, there are common side effects, like mood swings, irregular periods, or acne but the severity, duration, and impact can vary wildly.
For many of us, it takes a couple of months for hormones to rebalance and for our cycles to regulate. But understanding what might happen and how to support yourself through it can really help.
Physical Changes I Noticed (and What You Might Too)
Irregular periods or changes in flow
When you stop taking the pill, your body has to wake up its natural hormonal rhythm again. That can take time. My periods came back within after two months, but they were heavier and crampier than I remembered. If you went on the pill to help with painful or irregular periods, those original issues may return for a while. The first “period” post pill is considered a “fake” period because it’s withdrawal bleeding from being off the pill.
👉 What helped me: Tracking my cycle, drinking warm herbal teas during my luteal phase, and giving myself grace instead of expecting “normal” to return overnight. I mean…I was relying on the pill for way too many years!!!
Skin flare ups!
This was a big one for me. I’ve heard so many stories of women breaking out all over their face again post pill. Some hormonal pills reduce acne by lowering testosterone, and so naturally when you come off it the acne may return. Personally, when I came off it, my skin did break out but not as severe or cystic as before.
👉 What helped me: Simplifying my skincare, focusing on gut health, and not spiraling into shame. I also went back on Zilch Formulas [LIZPP] temporarily. They’re natural Traditional Chinese Medicine that helps reduce that inflammation to help you manage your breakouts. Skin changes don’t mean you’ve done something wrong, they’re just a sign of your hormones recalibrating.
Weight Changes
I personally didn’t see big weight shifts, but many people do experience fluid retention, bloating, or appetite changes. It’s not always fat gain, it’s often your body adjusting.
👉 What helped me: Nourishing, balanced meals and regular movement (even just walking). I focused on how I felt instead of chasing a number on the scale.
Boost in Libido
I actually noticed a higher sex drive after stopping the pill. Woohoo! She aint dry down there no more LOL This makes sense, natural ovulation comes with a surge in testosterone, which can boost desire.
Emotional Side Effects Are Real Too
Hormones don’t just affect your body—they also shape your moods, thoughts, and energy levels.
Mood Swings and Low Days
PMS and PMDD symptoms can feel more intense post-pill. I felt more irritable, and sometimes anxious since my body was relying on the pills suppressing my hormones and emotions, especially in the two weeks before my period. It was confusing at first, but healing holistically helped me manage my PMS symptoms so well!
👉 What helped me:
Journaling to get my thoughts out
Grounding routines
Talking to someone I trust
Remembering: these feelings are valid, but they will pass.
Eating well so I’m not overloading my body with cortisol
What Really Helped Me Feel Grounded LONG TERM POST PILL
Coming off the pill forced me to reconnect with my body in a whole new way. Here are some personal things that helped me emotionally detach from panic and feel more steady:
Having hobbies I love – I threw myself into movement (Pilates, strength training and running), reading, and slow weekends with friends.
Setting personal goals – Whether it was cooking more Vietnamese dishes, finishing a book, or working on a creative project, goals gave me a sense of direction outside of my body or symptoms. When I didn’t have goals, I would care way too much about other peoples’ lives! So let’s not do that!
Tracking my cycle – Knowing where I was hormonally made me feel empowered, not blindsided. I went from using Natural Cycles, to Temp Drop, to now using the Ultrahuman ring.
Celebrating small wins – A better skin day, a good cry, a productive morning. They all count.
What If Your Period Doesn’t Come Back?
If you don’t get your period within 3 months (a condition called post-pill amenorrhea), it’s worth chatting with a health professional. Sometimes conditions like PCOS or hypothalamic amenorrhea become more noticeable once the pill is out of your system. You're not alone, and help is out there.
A Note on Fertility
A lot of people worry that coming off the pill will affect their fertility. The truth is, for most people, fertility returns to baseline within a few months. The pill doesn’t cause infertility, but it can mask underlying conditions that might affect your ability to conceive.
If you’re curious about where your hormones are at or you’re looking to either avoid or plan a pregnancy, learning about the symptothermal method (a type of Fertility Awareness Method, or FAM) might be a game changer. It helped me tune into my body’s natural rhythm without relying on the pill, and gave me a deeper understanding of my cycle.
That said, it’s not for everyone. It requires consistency, tracking, and a real commitment to learning your body’s cues, so if that feels overwhelming or not quite aligned with your lifestyle, that’s totally okay too. The most important thing is choosing what works best for you.
BOOKS I RECOMMEND
“Beyond the Pill” by Dr. Jolene Brighten
A must-read for anyone transitioning off hormonal birth control. It covers post-pill syndrome, how to rebalance your hormones naturally, and gives a detailed action plan with diet, lifestyle, and supplement support.“Period Power” by Maisie Hill
This empowering book helps you understand the four phases of your cycle, how they affect your emotions, energy, and productivity, and how to work with your hormones, not against them.“This is Your Brain on Birth Control” by Dr. Sarah E. Hill
A fascinating read on how hormonal contraception can affect your brain, mood, behavior, and even relationships. It helps explain why many women feel a shift once they stop the pill.“WomanCode” by Alisa Vitti
Focused on hormonal balance and syncing your lifestyle to your cycle, this book offers practical tips for restoring balance, improving skin, gut, and energy after years on the pill.“The Fifth Vital Sign” by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack
This book reframes your menstrual cycle as a vital sign of health and teaches you how to track it effectively, especially if you’re interested in the fertility awareness method post-pill.
Final Thoughts
Coming off the pill isn’t just a physical change it’s an emotional shift too. It can be messy, beautiful, frustrating, freeing... sometimes all in just a few weeks. Be patient with yourself. Track, observe, stay curious. Your body is working hard to find its natural rhythm again.
If you're struggling, talk to someone. You're not overreacting, and you're definitely not alone.
And most of all, remember this: you’re allowed to change your mind, your methods, and your pace. Hormones can influence how you feel but they don’t define who you are.
Good luck!
Lots of love,
Your girl, Liz.