What will happen if I stop taking the BCP??

I accidentally let my script run out and I'm having 2 very severe symptoms!

I feel like I'm on fire and the very big one is EXTREME arousal!!

Same as before I started the BCP.

Constantly!! NO LETTING UP!!! Well, maybe very briefly, but it is all consuming!

I wanna know if I stop taking the pill if I will lose the weight I have gained and will I have to

deal with THIS forever???

And WHY is this happening???

GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Hello!! Anyone out there??

Surely there is SOMEONE who has had this!

NO????

Hi TW,
Well, I can't say I've experienced the very same thing exactly but I guess it's somewhat similar. I can't remember if you went on the bcp to combat peri symptoms or why exactly ???? I didn't, rather I went on them after my son was born to prevent another surprise pregnancy (now I wish I hadn't but that's another story). Anyway, I almost immediately put on about 10 - 15 lbs. and continued to put the lbs. on during the next 16 years. I went off the pill at 52, almost three years ago because it was believed that I was menopausal and didn't know it. WELL, not only was I NOT menopausal (continued to have regular periods) I did not lose any of the weight either. My hot flashes only started after I came off the pill, along with all my other peri symptoms. As for the heightened state of arousal, that didn't start right away but rather about December - February time frame. All of a sudden I wanted sex like I did when I was very young and frankly could not get enough of it. I've continued to be like that straight through to this day. Even learning of my husband's affair
didn't squelch it! Maybe that's a good thing in disguise but I have to tell you that confused the hell out of both of us. I was so hurt and angry at him but sex continued to be a constant desire for me. It was all so VERY strange. All I can say is, these damned hormones are making me a crazy woman!!! I hope you level out a bit soon. It's an odd state to be in, for sure! Once you get back on the pill you'll level out again, I'm sure.
xoxo
Jan

Hey TW,

Some women gain, others lose, while others stay weight neutral while on the pill. However, during peri and meno most women do experience weight gain and/or redistribution of body fat as ovarian estradiol shifts towards estrone (stored/produced in fat). And many women gain with or without bcp or ht. (read the many posts on this topic.....)

That being said you might consider a less androgenic bcp as your own ovaries are producing less estradiol (even while on the bcp). Vliets and Redmonds both have good books on selecting a bcp for a womans symptoms. (I can help you with this if you want.) Or, you may want a bcp with a higher ratio of E to P. Or you can go back on the bcp AND supplement with some estradiol (docs will let you do this and the estradiol is much weaker than the synthetic E contained in the bcp.)

You are flashing again because the bcp was overriding your ovaries (and to a much smaller degree) supplementing some e & p. But a bcp ONLY really treats the symptoms of Peri by interupting the neg feedback loop between the ovaries, adrenals and pituatary. Eventually many women's bcp's will stop "overriding" the peri symtoms (flashes return, etc.) and you'd have to transition to ht or just "tough it out". But, some women come of bcp and don't have many peri symptoms.

As for the increased libido. Lucky you. Really think its due to your own ovaries not being suppressed by the bcp. Could just be a temporary "rebound" and may not last? Soooo, you have a choice to make. ie - flashing like crazy while being extremely horney or go back on bcp or diff bcp or ht...... Nothing is easy during this transition...... Talk to you soon, JZZ

TW,

Just wanted to say thanks for alllllllllllllllll the libido talk....... Now, you're reminding me what I'm missing in Italy...... wahhhhhhhhhhhh JZZ

Jan, I had been having very severe cramping at least 3 weeks out of the month when the dr. put me on the BCP. I had developed some ovarian cysts also. Never having been on BCP, I had no idea what to expect. I might have been on them very briefly when I was much younger, but I don't remember. He told me I should not have weight gain, but low and behold, he was WRONG! Of course there are other contributing factors. I was so hoping that if all my other symptoms returned without the pill, maybe the weight will begin to come off too. Anyway, I'm willing to try.

I'll make the trade. I'll even take the heightened state of arousal, IF it is not unrelenting like before!! Begins to wear on you after a while.

Well, thanks a bunch for sharing. I appreciate all the input I can get!

Many hugs,

bev

JZZ, I am thinking I might give the BCP's a rest for a while. See what happens. If I start cramping again or have unusual bleeding then I may go back on them. As for the way over the top libido...........as long as I'm not being kept up ALL FREAKIN NIGHT LONG, I think I can survive. hehehehe!!

Thanks a bunch and see you soon,

bev

Tidalwaves,
I just wanted to let you know that I experienced the high libido thing a few years ago, when I was first starting peri. My gyn talked me into trying a Mirena IUD (for contraception) and within a couple weeks of having that thing inserted I had the libido of a 16 year old boy. And it drove me crazy! MY DH of course was thrilled, but it honestly was not a good thing. I couldn't even concentrate at work. I think the Mirena, which secretes a (supposedly) small amount of progestin, was suppressing my estrogen. The few people I told about my "problem" either looked at me like "that's a problem?" or they thought it was hilariously funny. I definitely understand what you are going through!

YES!!! It is definitely a problem!! When that's ALL you can think about and no amount of anything helps!!!! GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

I don't understand how your hubby could be thrilled, unless of course he has the stamina of 10 men.

I am so glad I'm not the only one.

OH!!! Something else too! My breasts are the sorest that they have ever been. Even my nipples are extremely tender and the entire areola. It's like the nerve endings are on the very surface. I can't go with or without a bra. Best with one though cause anything that rubs them makes me grimace.

Tw did you ever think that your Ad also could be causing your weight gain? I gained alot since i been on mine. Cause i remember when i was on bcp in my late 20's i never gained weight but everyone is different. I wish you the best.

Liz, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't tell me that!!! EEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!! I can't do without my AD. It saved my life!!

What do I do??