For the past 15 or so years, Ive been part of the oral-contraceptive club.
Whats the point for me to be even on the pill?
So, hold up, does your body ever need a break from birth control?
Ryan Segedi. Prop Styling by Jojo Li
Thats actually just not necessary.
To explain why, lets talk about what happens when youre on the birth control pill.
When youre taking the pill, your body gets a steady dose of estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy.
Estrogen suppressesovulationby inhibiting the secretion of hormones that are responsible for kickstarting a chain of reproductive events.
When it comes to other birth control methods, the advice ranges a bit.
But remember: The birth control pill does a lot more than just prevent pregnancy.
Remember hormonal acne and intense cramps?
But thats not necessarily the case, especially if youve been on birth control for a long time.
We consider menstruation and gynecology to be almost like another vital sign, says Dr. Dweck.
Oftentimes its sort of a window into somebodys health.
If your period is off, it really may suggest that theres another issue.
The pill can also control heavy bleeding and make your periods lighter andthankfullymore regular.
It can also help with symptoms ofpolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)andendometriosis pain.
So when these individuals get a period, its often heavy since theyre not ovulating on a regular basis.
Birth control can help get that under control.
Many people goonbirth control to manage these conditions.
But it is a possibility.
If youre prone to either of these conditions, certainly take that into consideration before going off birth control.
Heres what you’ve got the option to expect when stopping birth control.
If three months go by and nothing returns, certainly reach out to a physician.
Dr. Minkin also advises to give your ob-gyn a call if you have any intense pain.
Its better to be cautious, she says.
People right now are pretty darn anxious, Dr. Minkin says.
If youre somebody whos very anxious, that anxiety on its own can help give you wacky periods too.
So ask yourself, Is this something else I want to be dealing with right now?
Dr. Dweck adds that at the end of the day its really a personal preference.
Its really based on the individual, she says.
We all learn over time whats best for our own bodies.
In theory, it sounded good.
