Managing the Change

So I am on day two sans the pill and have noticed no difference. In the past I have actually missed this many pills of a new pack because I was unable to get it refilled in time, so I was aware that I wouldn't really notice anything different at this point.

As far as what I will be doing differently now that I'm off the pill? Basically everything you should be doing anyway that I usually never manage to juggle all at once. Like drinking enough water throughout the day (usually I wake up very thirsty and chug about 20oz first thing, then kinda forget about water again until dinner where I maybe get down another 20oz or so... I know I'm a failure.)

Eating better. I mean, I am not a terrible eater now, I love veggies and fruit and all that jazz, it is more my sweet tooth and addiction to cheese that tip me into the needs improvement category. But yesterday I had NO cheese. None all day. That may sounds stupid to say, but that is a RARE occasion for me... usually there is some on a panini or at least parmesan sprinkled on something. But there is none in the house at the moment so that helps!

And last exercise. I am usually pretty good about it and really like working out for the most part, but I am a freelance designer and so my schedule has major changes in it all the time, often very last minute, so the past few weeks have been less than log worthy in the athletic arena. Making a habit is usually easier when you have a set schedule in my opinion, so any advice about making a workout schedule when you have no idea what your day will be like is gladly taken!

Now most people would include sleep in here, and maybe I should but not because I don't get enough. I am a sleeper. Big time. Forget 8 hours, I'm into 10+. I really don't ever get less than 7, so one thing I'm hoping will change is my energy level once I'm off the pill. It is ridiculously time consuming to feel the need to sleep as much as I do and just not practical for the busy lives we lead these days! So trying to get myself down to 8 everyday is definitely a goal of mine. And then feeling awake on top of that. The mornings aren't so bad for me, it's more lasting throughout the evening. Say I wake up at 7am after getting 9 hours of sleep. If we are out with friends at 10pm that night, I am dyingggg. Must sleeeeep. And no I don't have a coffee addiction, because again, mornings are pretty fine. One cup of joe is just fine. So I am really hoping to have a boost of energy without the pill!

I'll check in soon to record my progress in the next few days for myself to keep track, and for anyone out there who's reading along.

When is this all going down?

As I gear up to go off the pill, I thought I'd let you know a little more about my timing strategy. I've read that it is best to stop taking the pill once you reach the end of the pack. This makes sense to me since your body is used to following the gradual hormone change the pill creates to make a period appear. Then you simply don't start a new pack and hope your body catches on that it is now up to it to create this cycle on its own.

Now I have waited an extra month since first researching all of this because I was ending my last pill pack just before traveling for vacation, to a beach destination.  I thought, spotting? Swimsuit? Sex in unfamiliar place? Switching up a routine when other things are changing? No thanks. I am going to go the condom route to prevent pregnancy and I thought it best to make that switch in the comfort of my own bed, with my familiar surroundings to be sure I do so successfully! And thus I took one last pack. That pack runs out this Sunday, and then the sugar pills start and that will mark the start of this journey.

Feel free to ask any questions, I won't be offended! I'll try my best to give tips and advice as I navigate this territory myself. XO

But Why?

Hi everyone! I'm about to embark on the journey of getting off of hormonal birth control. Being in my early twenties, friends and family right away say, what?! WHY?

So, here it is. I think hormonal birth control is possibly dangerous. Now, I swear I am not some crazy hippie, all-natural type, or a conspiracy theorist or a hypochondriac. I'm just being honest with myself, and you. When I first looked into going off the pill, I was horrified at my findings. No period for months on end? Severe hair loss? One giant bleed-out down the line that left some hospitalized?! Inability to get pregnant despite 100% normal test results? None of this seemed to me to say, "Hey, birth control is fine for you to take!" It sounded more like an intense drug withdrawal.

Now, I have been on the birth control pill, specifically ortho tri-cyclen lo, since the age of 15! Just about 9 years now. I've never changed brands, taken a break or had a pregnancy scare, and my doc assured me it was fine to continue taking it per usual. And honestly, I have had no issues. My period comes like clock work, is light, low maintenance, minimal cramping, short and simple. So what's my issue?? Well, recently I had my second ovarian cyst rupture. It isn't a huge deal, but it is insanely painful when it happens. This is the second one I have ever had, the first being about 4 years ago. So the weird thing is that normally doctor's prescribe hormonal birth control to keep these cysts under control. They think the more regular your hormones, the less likely they are to occur. The thing is, in my mind, why would I dose up on FAKE estrogen to help regulate my hormones? Wouldn't I want my own body to create its own rhythm and produce its own natural estrogen to cure this problem? I don't like the idea of covering up a symptom rather than actually solving the cause. I am a 100% healthy woman, getting pats on the back from my doc for perfect blood pressure, cholesterol, decent diet and somewhat regular exercise. Why wouldn't my body be capable of a natural, regular cycle? I sure think it is. And thus this experiment is born!

I'm keeping this blog as a way to note my results as every story I read about this journey seemed, well, rather traumatic. Although, none of these girls seemed to have my same circumstances. My period was always easy and normal before I ever started birth control (I only took it to, well, you know, not be a pregnant teen...) And when I went on it, I had no side affects. I just started and never looked back. Until now. So, here is hoping going back off will be no problem! Wish me luck :)