Is This Normal Coming Off the Pill?
Question
I tried looking around the site and don’t believe I saw any questions quite like mine so I hope I’m not making someone duplicate efforts! If so, I’m sorry.
I quit the pill about a month and a half ago (maybe one month) after being on it for about two years. I am 22 years old. To my surprise, my period seemed to return just two days later than expected. However, when my period returned, the majority of the bleeding lasted only one day (slightly heavy but nowhere near what it used to be) and then the next few days were followed with spotting. Also, I became incredibly sick. I had not been sick like this ever before. Cramps weren’t horrific…but nausea has been killing me.
I’ve been doing some research online and have not had much luck finding other people who experienced nausea a month after going off the pill. The nausea has persisted, on and off, over the past week and my period is over. Is this normal? Or is there a possibility I could be pregnant? My husband and I have had unprotected sex several times in the past month.
I just want to know if I should be concerned or if I should expect a pregnancy test may or may not pick up the HGC if I am in fact pregnant (which would not necessarily be a bad thing if I was).
Thanks!
Michelle
Answer
Last Updated: February 3, 2022
Congratulations for getting off the birth control pill! The symptoms you are having are not unusual as your body returns to cycles again. I am concerned that you may be trying to have a pregnancy before your body is ready. Most doctors will tell their patients to wait for three cycles before trying to become pregnant but this may not always be enough of a wait.
For Natural Family Planning users we ask the couple to keep a daily record of her cycle and when all the normal events are seen with their own eyes they will know a healthy pregnancy can be sustained. This can take three months or even up to a year. Since every woman is different the proof for each is knowing when her cycle is back to normal lessening the chance of miscarriage.
The mechanism of the oral contraceptive has been recognized for a number of years and is readily accepted in today’s medical world. There is an abortifacient action of the pill by the suppression of normal endometrial development; ovulation is suppressed; cervical mucus inhibits sperm transport and interferes with egg transport. In addition to these problems caused by the pill there are a myriad of potential side effects. Some are more common than others: breakthrough intermenstrual bleeding, weight gain, nausea and vomiting and decreased intensity of the menstrual flow to name a few.
If your symptoms continue or you don’t have another period take a home pregnancy test. If you are not pregnant I would suggest you have a good health exam then learn one of the natural methods listed on our web site from a certified teacher to learn how to recognize your signs of fertility as well as infertility . . . for a lifetime of love and good health.
Judy Wilmurt
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