Timing will vary from person to person for the amount of time it will take for their period to come back post-pill.
Your body is undergoing some huge changes and detoxing out hormones as well as foods etc. Be patient and you should notice a change very soon.
If you had normal periods before going on the pill, it should usually only take around 3 months to naturally get your period back.
If you had issues with your cycle before going on the pill, it is important to note these may return as your body attempts to bring back a natural cycle.
Remember, whilst being on the pill, the pill may have masked many of your symptoms and these can return when you decide to come off the pill.
14 comments
This was all so helpful, thank you!
I’ve been on the pill now for about 10 years. Prior to starting the pill my periods were regular, I never got acne, and my hair was thick. Since starting the pill years ago I experience anxiety, depression, brain fog, constipation, dry skin, melasma, thinning hair, and a pretty rapid decline in my eye sight (which I read can be linked to high estrogen as seen in pregnancy). I’ve tried twice before to quit the pill, both times while I was in college. Both times I experienced post-pill PCOS and the most horrendous hair shed of my life. I would say I had lost about 1/2 of my hair both times. Recently, I’ve noticed that my anxiety has been out of control. I’m finding that as I get older I’m having a harder time coping with the synthetic hormones. My biggest fear with stopping the pill is experiencing another hair shed, I fear that this time I will officially lose what’s left of my hair (I’m 28 and single, so no matter how vain this may sound it’s still a fear of mine).
I plan to incorporate the items mentioned above for a few months and wait until the stress of my very busy schedule lets up then I plan to try and quit the pill once and for all! Like most women, I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired (even if this means investing in alternative hair).
I just wish there was more education around the consequences of synthetic hormones and HBC for young women. I think many of us don’t really know what we’re getting ourselves into before it’s too late.
I’ve been on and off the pill several times throughout my adult life and coming off has generally been a fairly smooth process, but this time has been WEIRD. I was on Gedarel (having historically been on Microgynon) which is perhaps why (or because I’m now in my 30s…). I had no withdrawal bleed from my last pack – just cramping and spotting. It then was 5 weeks before my first period which was very painful (normal for me off the pill) but unusually light in flow. I had quite a lot of clots and my period (which historically is quite irregular in terms of cycle length – but is nearly always consistently 4 days long) has been going on for 9 days now!
I have done a test and not pregnant. Very much hoping this will get under control with time and diet/lifestyle work. :S
Love this, thanks.
Been looking high and low for some good advice regarding this.
Have tried before but end up with such an oily skin. My (male) doc advised me against it, but I know my body will be all the better for it in a few months.
Would you suggest wild yam when you arent ovulating, to get the hormones in check?
This was INCREDIBLY helpful as I have stopped the pill after 16 years of being on it due to cysts on my ovaries. I’m now learning that all of these symptoms can be treated with food and lifestyle changes. Thank you for writing this article. I really appreciate it.