There comes a time in a woman’s life when she needs to decide on two things: going on birth control and going off. When you break up with birth control, your hormones will go on a roller-coaster ride, and you probably won’t be feeling like yourself. So, you might be wondering: how to stop taking birth control pills safely? 

This cake has no universal recipe, but thank Goddess, you came to the right pâtisserie. We explored everything from various diets, exercises, and sleep patterns to herbs and supplements to balance hormones. And we picked out only the best to present to you! 

Side effects of stopping birth control

It doesn’t break your heart, but it breaks your cycle, can make you moody, and make you break out in acne after stopping birth control.

While it’s common knowledge that going on the pill has some side effects that many women struggle with, coming off can have a similar effect on the body. Your life can get burdened with headaches, cramps, mood swings, weight change, and you may get heavier periods after stopping birth control.

With hormonal imbalance, it’s hard to fully enjoy life – especially if you’re sweating excessively, having mood swings, and feeling overly tired (because you can’t fall asleep) in the middle of workweek? Horrifying.
And that’s not all – you may start losing your hair but grow it on unwanted areas. Apart from hair loss you can get acne, irregular periods and gain a few pounds! Everything opposite from what you wish.

Once your body stops receiving hormones from the pill, it undergoes a series of adjustments, causing a hormonal imbalance, and you might feel many side effects of stopping birth control. It’s perfectly normal to gain weight after stopping birth control, as your body is in shock at that moment. Try going for a daily walk to strengthen both your mental and physical health!

Hormones play an important role in your body; when they are confused, everything is turned upside down – from your skin, to weight, mood, and cycle. The first period after stopping birth control may be off schedule and heavier than it used to be. The best thing to do is wait up to 3 months for your cycle to get back on track.

How long for hormones to balance after stopping birth control

With all the mentioned symptoms of breaking up with pills (some call it the post-birth control syndrome), it can take weeks or even months for your body to return to normal.

After giving your body faux hormones, it’s now time to treat it with real, natural help! It’s good to keep in mind that you’re not alone. 80*% of women struggle with balancing hormones, and some of them don’t even know it! Take matters into your own hands and find yourself happy, energetic, and balanced once again.

6 tips on how to balance hormones:

Regular exercise

Physical activity can help you improve blood flow and influence hormones to be happy again. With gym sessions, running or hiking you can take care of your mental and physical health.

Exercise hint: For a relaxed workout flow, you can try yoga or Pilates.

Get enough sleep

Sleeping is a hidden gem that is often forgotten. In an ideal world, you can get in bed before 10 PM and stick with a sleep routine that suits you. Don't forget to squeeze in 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night!

Sleep hint: For women, even 10 hours a day are well-recommended!

Take magnesium

This one mineral superstar can help with stress and period cramps, promote better sleep and help relax muscles. Really one of a kind and can’t be forgotten.

Protein is your new bestie

Eat meals packed with protein and provide your body with essential amino acids.

Protein hint: chicken breast, shrimp, chickpeas, and Greek yoghurt are a great source.

B as Balance and B-complex

This group unites eight vitamins. Getting those vitamins in your system plays a central role in mood and energy and regulating stress hormones. 

Supplements to balance hormones

Meeting those mineral and vitamin needs can be challenging as that means consuming big amounts of veggies, fruits, meat and maybe some foods you’re not exactly a fan of. Food supplements are a great choice to support hormonal balance! Some herbal extracts – saffron for balancing hormones and lady's mantle for comfort – can help you ease all those nasty symptoms from stopping birth control.

PMS Balance features B vitamins, magnesium and other supporting ingredients for women’s health in one capsule!

PMS Balance from Tummy Tox

Call it off with hormonal imbalance and get your positive mood and happy self back! PMS Balance is a gem among supplements to balance hormones. Let’s see what makes it so special.

• Supports hormonal balance, relaxation, and a positive mood 
• Helps manage weight
• Maintains clear skin by boosting microcirculation 
• Aids healthy sleep and reduces feelings of tiredness and fatigue  
• Featuring the patented saffron extract, Safr’Inside™, and other beneficial natural-based ingredients  
• Just 1 capsule a day provides remarkable benefits  

There’s more! These capsules contain clinically backed ingredients that provide nutrients that a woman’s body desperately needs!

• Lady’s mantle to promote comfort before and during the menstrual cycle. 
• Lemon balm & vitamin B6 to optimise hormonal balance.
• Saffron for maintaining emotional balance.
• Biotin and zinc for healthy skin and hair. 
• Magnesium, which supports electrolyte balance and muscle function, and reduces tiredness.
• Vitamins B6, B12, and folate.
• Black pepper extract and its star component, piperine, work like a charm to boost the efficiency and absorption of the other ingredients.

Hormonal changes and imbalances are parts of every woman’s life, but they don’t have to ruin your everyday life – from lying in bed because of period pain, to spending a fortune on cosmetics to get rid of acne breakouts, and crying yourself to sleep because you don’t feel like yourself. Love the woman in you and give your body the nourishment it deserves. Today is only the beginning.

Sources

11 unexpected signs of hormonal imbalance | Northwell Health