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Beth Sandland

Why I Decided to Come off of the Pill

07/08/2018 · LIFESTYLE, MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS

 

Why I Decided to Come off the Pill, coming off the pill, impacts of coming off the pill, Ava Women, fertility tracker, hormone tracker

This post is in association with Ava Women.

 

Coming off of the pill, or rather the impacts of being on it, is something that has vaguely crossed my mind over the past six years that I’ve spent popping those little sugar coated baby-banners, but aside from a passing thought, I hadn’t really given it much consideration. To all intents and purposes it worked for me; I never had any horrendous side effects and I’ve never been pregnant. Win-win. Where contraceptive options are concerned, the pill seemed to me to be the lesser of many evils and whilst you hear the odd horror story, I was fairly confident that it wasn’t doing any long term damage to my body or fertility. Whilst that notion hasn’t changed, around a month ago I decided to stop taking it for the foreseeable future. 

When Ava Women first contacted me about trying out their cycle and fertility tracker I initially dismissed it. Without giving it nearly enough research, I assumed it was either only for women looking to get pregnant imminently, or it would be another of those ‘natural’ contraception devices that frankly, I just don’t trust to use myself let alone promote. However, after scouring the website I was intrigued and impressed by the focus on wellness and connectivity with your own body, so I thought I may as well give it a whirl with absolutely no obligations. Ava combines a wrist band tracker with a very in-depth app, and when I first set it up I was a little affronted by a pop-up that told me that results would be far less accurate if an using artificial hormonal contraceptive. It was though in that moment it dawned on me that my body and the things going on in it weren’t really my own. That weekend I spent a lot of time deep in thought and I finally took to Instagram stories where I chatted it out with my followers who provided an overwhelming amount of insight into their own experiences on and coming off of the pill. Of all the topics I have ever raised online, discussing the pill far exceeded the number of responses I have received about anything. It quickly became apparent to me that it wasn’t just me feeling a bit confused and frustrated by the lack of options.

 

Going on the pill

I went on the pill aged 16 for contraceptive reasons. I’m very fortunate in that, aside from a few massacre-esque scenes on my bed sheets when I’ve forgotten I’m due on, I’ve never had an issue with my periods, nor have I with my skin. I was in a stable relationship, sexually active and bored of using condoms. I’ll never forget asking my mum to take me to the GP; I was too scared that she’d be cross so I made her dinner, then hid in my bedroom and text her. When I went to the doctors it was as simple as a quick blood pressure test, height and weight and a little leaflet warning me that if I missed one I’d probably grow a human. Twenty minutes later I was picking up a stash of Microgynon, the most commonly prescribed combined pill. To be honest, there was never any discussion of anything else; I’d assumed the pill was the best option for me – probably rightly at the time – and unless you have issues with the particular pill you’re prescribed, there isn’t usually any chat surrounding the different types. Aside from when I accidentally ran out before arranging another pack and endured an incredibly intimidating appointment at the Family Planning Clinic which left me crying in the practice loos (she was mean), I’ve never had any problems.

So why, you may ask, did I decide to stop taking it after six and a half successful years? In short, the realisation that my hormones were artificial, I wasn’t allowing my body to ovulate in the way nature intends it to and I have never known my adult self without it scared me a little. It dawned on me that whilst my life has changed drastically since I was 16, the one constant was that little sugary pill I popped each morning. Whilst, to my knowledge, there are no proven links between the contraceptive pill and mental health, I started questioning whether it could be having an impact on my personality and mood without me even realising it. The only way to find out, was to come off of it.

 

Coming off the pill

As soon as the idea sprung, I knew in my gut that at least trialling a pill-free lifestyle was the right decision for me, but I was still incredibly apprehensive and within the first few days I nearly reached for a packet a few times. I realise that sounds incredibly dramatic – we’re talking about microgynon, not meth – but I felt almost conditioned into relying on it. I’ve blindly clutched my prescription for years and I simply don’t remember my ‘pre-pill-self’. 

My biggest concerns were the impact on my periods, my skin and my boobs. Someone told me they would shrink and it was almost a deal breaker. Although I don’t ever remember having bad periods, I couldn’t actually remember how regular they were, how heavy, how painful. The pill offers such comfortable predictability that I never worried about my light three day bleed once a month that I could easily skip if I wanted to wear a white bikini on holiday without risking cameoing as an extra from Jaws. To be honest, I’ve always been a bit relieved by my period. From the moment in our lives that bedroom athletics is on the cards, there’s a real focus on not getting pregnant. It seems almost ironic that missing the pill just once can create the very real risk of pregnancy, and yet after taking it for a prolonged period it can take a long time for your body to get back to ‘normal’ again.

Perhaps shallowly, my biggest fear was breaking out. I was never a spotty teenager, but I heard a lot of stories about uncontrollable post-pill acne. Thankfully I’ve got a pretty stellar skin care routine nailed that I know works for me, so I’ve stock piled my favourites and thus far I haven’t felt the urge to purchase a balaclava or reach for a tub of sudocrem. Second to a fear of white heads was the overwhelming concern that my boobies would shrivel up and go into hiding. I was alway so teeny tiny as a teenager that my boobs were little more than speed bumps but I developed much more in my early twenties and although they’re more like third cousins than twins (one is a solid size and a bit bigger than the other), I’m pretty pleased with the gals now. I’d never even considered shrinkage to be a potential side effect because I’d never noticed a growth when I went on the pill, so when those messages landed in my inbox I was genuinely a bit shocked. If they were/are to deflate, I know I’ll be quite self-conscious. I’ll also be petitioning for a refund on all my bras because those bad boys are not cheap.

 

Contraception – what now?

More logistically, I worried about what I would use as an alternate contraception method. The coil has never appealed to me – I just don’t like the idea of anything being shoved up *there* (no, the irony is not lost on me) – and the implant seems far too invasive. As I mentioned before, I’m not in a position to rely on ‘natural’ methods, so that leaves me with our good old latex pal. I don’t think anybody loves condoms, but I do think we build them up to be far more of an evil than they actually are. They do a job and as one of my lovely followers very articulately put it to me: “at least you don’t have to worry about doing the cum run.” Genius. 

 

Tracking my cycles with Ava

A month in to my new pill-free existence and I haven’t noticed any negative side effects yet, apart from a particularly uncomfortable spell that I think may have been ovulation pains, according to the calendar predictions on my Ava app. I’ve been sleeping in the wrist band every night and genuinely enjoy syncing it in the morning and seeing how the data plots and predicts different phases, patterns and my fertility levels. The calendar view in particular is proving invaluable for tracking when my periods are hopefully due and keeping a record of small changes in my body such as cramps, bloats and aches that I may otherwise forget about.

 

What Ava is

A cycle, fertility and pregnancy (if you’re in that camp) tracking bracelet with an accompanying app. It helps you to make sense of changes in your body and mood throughout the month and makes you more aware of the physiological impacts on your sleep, stress, energy levels and feelings. You can see patterns in your health as it collects more data and unlike manual period tracking apps, it senses what is actually happening within your body in real time rather than simply just predicting what might happen. Developed using clinic trials at the University Hospital of Zurich with findings since published in scientific publications, I feel really confident in knowing that it’s the real deal. You don’t have to be trying to get pregnant to understand your fertility and in doing so you become more acutely attuned to your own body and the impacts on your wellbeing. Fundamentally, getting to know yourself better is pretty damn cool. 

 

Why I Decided to Come off the Pill, coming off the pill, impacts of coming off the pill, Ava Women, fertility tracker, hormone tracker

 

What Ava is not

Contraception. Loud and clear: Ava is not a natural contraceptive and I am in no shape or form advising you to use the data to have unprotected sex. In fact, I don’t think it’s my place to advise anyone on any form of contraception because fundamentally we’re all so different. All I can do is share my experience and I hope in doing so it’ll give you the space to consider yours. If you want to use it to supplement your chosen method of contraception, or as an aid to conceiving then sex away. 

 

The biggest positive I’ve noticed to coming off the pill is that already my mood feels better and I think I’m sleeping more soundly too. I’m trying really hard to add everything I can to the app either through the pre-programmed selections such as recording your mood, sex, bodily changes and discharge (something I hadn’t realised was such a big indicator of your fertility and vaginal health) and with the customisable options – I’m adding in when I’ve exercised so I can see the impact on my sleep – and it feels really good moving toward a position in which I feel so much more in tune with my own body. 

I’ll write another post in a few months time when I’ve hopefully had the chance to really experience what life after the pill is like for me, but for now I’d love to hear more about your experiences – feel free to leaver a comment or drop me a DM on Instagram.

 

Why I Decided to Come off the Pill, coming off the pill, impacts of coming off the pill, Ava Women, fertility tracker, hormone tracker

Get £20 off Ava with ‘BETHSANDLAND20’

 

This post is sponsored by Ava Women. All words, views and imagery are – as always – entirely my own.

Posted In: LIFESTYLE, MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS

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Comments

  1. Masha says

    07/08/2018 at 10:42

    Honestly so grateful for bloggers like you! You are capable of having honest discussion and aren’t shy to share your experience! Love your blog and your Instagram, although there – more stories or IGTV please hahaha))
    -Masha

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    07/08/2018 at 19:18

    I’ve heard so much about these kind of apps and they always seem so useful to me! Unfortunately I won’t be able to use them yet as I am still on the pill and with a stable relationship that will (hopefully) last a pretty while longer I am currently not thinking about any other contraceptives since I have no issues with the pill, but I still loved your post and it’s also true for me that I don’t really know myself not being on the pill, so it will be quite interesting when I finally do come off it and then I will most definitely be using AVA because it sounds amazing!

    Sarah
    http://www.sarahaurorax.com

    Reply
  3. Shahrzad says

    07/09/2018 at 10:54

    I found this so incredibley helpful having been on the pill for a good 20 years I recently decided or felt I should come off. I was mostly worried about breaking out and period pains as I suffered severely! I felt like the pill had an effect on my mindset and weight. I keep reading up if it’s better to be on the pill or not as it can help prevent cervical cancer but at the same time can cause it. I found it all very confusing! I went to the GP asking their opinion and she said well it’s a hormone you are putting into your body & their are other forms of contraception but like you I don’t fancy the coil or implant. Anyway if been off it since April and so far I’ve not noticed any drastic changes apart from menstral cramps which is such a weird feeling & I do break out! I nearly caved & went back on because of the breakouts but it’s since cleared. Thank you for talking about this & I will check out that app x

    blonde-tea-party.com

    Reply
  4. Bekah says

    07/09/2018 at 12:37

    This was so interesting to read Beth! I’ve been on the pill for 4 years now, and I do think it’s had an impact on my mental health and my health in general. I’ve always been too afraid to come off it though – this has definitely given me something to think about!

    Reply
  5. Abbie says

    07/09/2018 at 15:38

    I have done the same recently for very similar reasons! I am glad that potential boob shrinkage was a near deal breaker for someone else and not just me. The only downside for me is the period cramps – I don’t remember them being this bad, but luckily it’s only for one day! I keep deliberating whether to try a new method or just stick with condoms. Thanks for sharing your experience with Ava I had never heard of this! x

    abbiejadewanders.co.uk

    Reply
  6. Kate says

    07/10/2018 at 05:19

    I just don’t know if I could trust an app to track my cycle. Also those bagels look immense

    Kate xx
    http://www.mummywho.com

    Reply
    • Beth Sandland says

      07/10/2018 at 16:24

      I’ve been using it a couple of months since coming off the pill, a point at which I was worried my periods would be all over the place, and it has pin pointed the start of my period to the day correctly twice now! Xx

      Reply
    • Beth Sandland says

      07/10/2018 at 16:24

      It’s not the app itself but the wrist band x

      Reply
  7. Blooming in style says

    07/10/2018 at 16:20

    This was such an interesting post, Beth. The Ava wristband looks fab xx

    https://bloominginstyleblog.blogspot.com/2018/07/how-i-style-my-bedside-table.html

    Reply
  8. Jenna says

    07/14/2018 at 17:28

    Great post! I have been looking into a bunch of different forms of birth control, so I think this is a very useful post! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it 🙂
    -Jenna <3
    Follow me back? The Chic Cupcake

    Reply
  9. Lady Like Laura says

    07/21/2018 at 16:56

    Was so good to read your experience, I recently made the desicion to come off the pill after 13 years and it’s the best desicion I’ve made! I wrote a blog post in my experience too and a follow up after 3 months! Thank you for sharing your experience x

    Reply
  10. Bea says

    07/22/2018 at 16:49

    This is quite possibly my favourite post! Very well written, thank you!!!

    Reply
  11. Rachael says

    07/23/2018 at 21:30

    I love your blog and your Instagram, than you for such an honest post about coming off the pill. A lot of bloggers wouldn’t write about this!

    Rachael x – geminiexplicit.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
  12. Eve says

    07/26/2018 at 01:57

    This is a very interesting post. I always appreciate posts like this. I have never heard of Ava. I currently use monthlyinfo.com, but perhaps I will give Ava a try.

    Reply
  13. Natasha Braid says

    08/15/2018 at 19:47

    This was an interesting read and I think it’s important every woman understands there cycle and the effect it has on them.

    Reply
  14. Amy says

    08/20/2018 at 12:54

    I went on the pill when I was 17 (I’m on the mini pill) and so I’ve been taking it for around three years now. I never had any problems before, I didn’t have any side effects and felt great as I didn’t have any issues and I knew I was protected. But over the last two months, it has started disagreeing with my body and causing bizarre issues so now I’m having to re-think whether it is best to keep taking it or whether to try another form of contraception, so this post was very informative for me!

    Amy x | fleurdubelle.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply

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I am a multi-award winning blogger, photographer and writer from London. I’ve travelled to over 38 countries, lived out of a backpack for a year and love to scuba dive! This site is a destination for all things travel, lifestyle and my successful online book club.

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👶🏼 Name: I think...we’ve got the one. But how do you know for sure?! It feels such a huge thing to commit to.
Last week, when it was Spring for all of 12 hours Last week, when it was Spring for all of 12 hours ☕️💐☀️
Little nose, I sit here (I no longer see my toes) Little nose, I sit here (I no longer see my toes) and I wonder, who will you be? As I count down these last weeks of just you and me 🤍
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Our keepsake baby scan embroidery was made by @hopeandharthq - because she’s all kinds of talented and brilliant, she’s also booked up. However rumour has it she’s opening slots in her order book again soon so give her a follow to be updated!
Happy birthday to my número uno 💘 A snoozy, fo Happy birthday to my número uno 💘 A snoozy, foodie lockdown birthday rounded off by a celebratory two hour zoom antenatal class (sorry...). You’re a 💎 x
(ad) Mini throwback to a 19 week bump and one of t (ad) Mini throwback to a 19 week bump and one of the loveliest days modelling for @georgeatasda’s #BareTheBump campaign. I love that they’re celebrating motherhood in all its diverse journeys and forms and was totally honoured to have been a part of this shoot. Replacing the ‘dress like a mum’s and the ‘just you wait’s and the ‘you’re not allowed to do that’s with pure positivity and celebration of the wonder that is the female body. 🤰🏻💓
My current 3 lockdown saviours: ⠀ ✨ Books. Fic My current 3 lockdown saviours:
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✨ Books. Fiction, non-fiction, audiobooks. I’m currently devouring them. The escapism is wonderful and so is the reduced screen time.
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✨ Gousto. We’ve been using it for months now! It saves us money, gives lots of variety, means we have a much better division of labour in the kitchen and as we order the ‘4-5’ people portion options, we only have to cook every other night or so as there’s always leftovers!
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✨ TLC. Online yoga, putting fresh PJs on every night, going to bed earlier. A scented eye pillow & aromatherapy spray from small business @spritzwellness is such a dream. Something as small as lying down with it (can also warm or cool it first)  for 10 mins can give you such a boost. If you don’t fall asleep for 4 hours...
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What’s keeping you going?
Got dressed in actual clothes today. Okay, took a Got dressed in actual clothes today. Okay, took a photo in actual clothes. OKAY I put stretchy jersey back on straight after and I have no ragrets. Not even a single letter. 🍦✨
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