Almost 1 year off of the birth control pill

It has been almost one year since I took my last birth control pill. It was October 22nd. Not to get pregnant, just to get my body functioning naturally again. It took 6,5 months before I got my first natural period. These 28 weeks sure had its effect on my body. I noticed pimples on my face, first some weight loss (probably water), my mood changed a bit, my libido changed a bit and my hair started to shed... A lot. 

I have been using Minoxidil and a pillfood supplement for about 3 months now. The pillfood helps strengthening my hair and nails. I do notice a lot of difference in my nails. They are much stronger and seem to grow faster. My hair not so much. Thankfully the seemingly allergic reaction stopped and didn't come back. But then, your hair doesn't grow as quickly as your nails. So I want to try the minoxidil for at least 6 months. I do seem to notice a little bit of effect the last few weeks. It seems like my hairs that ar still on my head seem to be growing again. I do not spot any new hairs yet. But we remain hopeful. Researching the internet does connect quitting the birtcontrol pill and hair loss. Apparently also estrogen is an important component. And since quitting the bird control pill and not having an ovulation for 6 months, sure gave my body a great drop in estrogen. So hopefully my hormonal balance will restore itself. 

On the positive side my menstrual cycle has been quite regular ever since the natural cycle came back. not taking the first 6,5 months into account I've had 5 periods the other 5 months and expecting my next one next week. So quite happy with that!

Ciao!

Ixis

second period

And it was quite accurate again. Last wednesday I got my period again. About a week after my nipples were sore. So I guess it is a clear indicator. I am quite happy with my cycle this time. From 196 days last time, my cycle was 37 days this time! Wauw, I am really proud of my body for cutting it down so much!

But my hormones were raging. I was (am still maybe) a real devil at home the past week(s). And ugh to my hair! It is so thin and falling out :( But since my body is still trying to regulate my cycle and my hormones I want to give it time. If it doesn't stabilize or improve maybe I should go and see a physician.

Ciao!
Isis

7 months off birth control

I have been 7 months off of birth control. 5 weeks ago I got my first actual period after 6,5 months. And actually it was my first real period after about 10 years on the pill. My belly is a little bit cramped up so maybe my next period is coming. Which would then be 5 weeks after the previous one. That would not be so bad, as it took my body 6,5 months to regulate all the hormones again. But I have to wait and see, because maybe nothing happens and it is just a cramp. However, these last few months I am noticing body changes much more clearly. For example about a week before my last period my nippels were sore. I recognized it immediately, and a week later I was getting my period. Last week my nipples were sore again, so if my period is coming it is a clear sign. 

I want to give my body some time to regulate itself again. There still are some symptoms or sign I am experiencing and I think it is relate to my hormones but I am not sure. Like my hairloss. Before, I didn't have thick hair, but after I quit birth control it has even become more thin! I started a special thickening shampoo and I am taking some extra vitamins now so I hope it will help. 

Ciao!

Ixis

Dreams

Everyone dreams I once read. The once while sleeping I mean. But not everybody remembers what they dreamt about. I do mostly. Sometimes even up to 2 or 3 different dreams per night. Sometimes when I wake up I am truly amazed by the diversity of dreams. Lot's of times I can recognize things that occupied my mind during the day or days before. But sometimes not. These past few days I have been in a cycle of dreaming about death. Once I read that dreaming about death was an indication for a turning point of happiness. Death means the end of something which is not necessarily a bad thing. Things like this trigger me so I like to read about it. I also read it could relate to an illness and could mean you are on the mend. Who knows there might be a link with my body finding its own cycle again after quitting birth control. It just fascinates me. Is it my subconsciousness processing things about the day, or is there some meaning behing everything? All I know is my mind is really good at making up stories, that seem so lifelike while dreaming. And when I wake up, I often think like what was that all about.

Sweet dreams!

Ciao!

Ixis 

75 days no period

It has been 75 days since my last period. Or actually my withdraw bleeding. Haven't had a normal period since I quit birth control. I did ask my doctor about it several weeks ago. I visited him for a spot on my back and while I was there I asked him about the cycle and when I should get worried. 

He explained to me that nature decides when I will get my period again and I should definitely take 6 months to a year into account. 

So, October 22nd I took my last birth control pill. Since I quit I did experience some changes:

• More pimples on my face after 3 or 4 weeks
• I did experience some emotional changes, but only in the beginning. I felt a little bit more down and confused. Like my hormones were a bit confused themselves
• My hair just felt thinner and thinner.
• I lost weight. Perhaps I don't retain that much fluid anymore
• After about 2 months my skin went back to being reasonably normal. I still have some pimples now and then, nut I also eat chocolate and stuff, so that might as well be the cause.

Sometimes I do feel some cramping it seems like. But until now, no period. It has only been a little over 3 months, so I have to be patient. It is a good thing I didn't quit birth control because we are trying for a baby right away. I think I am glad I quit now. Because if I did quit because I wanted to get pregnant, and it would take a long time to have my period again it would be quite stressful.

It is a bit stressful now too. Just because I am curious if I still function properly. But according to my doctor I should definitely give it some time. And then again. My boyfriend and I are planning to have some nice holiday trips. Thinking about Canada this year and maybe West-USA next year. And maybe then we would like to start a family. By then I will be 29/30, so a nice age in my opinion. 

Ciao!

Isis