So, You Want to Quit Hormonal Birth Control? What to Consider

[@saraforutan]

I came off the pill in May & I’m feeling so much better and more alive. I’m not numb anymore and more present if that makes any sense. The annoying part is that my skin got worse a little but I’m positive that it’s gonna go away. Using a clay mask almost every day 🤞🏼 It’s still better than taking that crap again, being depressive and having suicidal thoughts. I’m feeling stronger than ever!

[@savh24]

Sara Smith wow that is exactly how i would describe being on the pill feels like! numb! i totally can relate with feeling more present after going off of it.

[@saraforutan]

93remainunique hm that sounds really interesting/weird. I had that feeling as well but I think also because I was going through a break up as well. I’m all better now and I’m feeling more present, my emotions are coming back if that makes sense, my libido as well. I think it all also has to do with your mind set? I was really going through a rough time together with coming off the pill so idk Thanks for the tip! Actually tried that and it seemed to help a little :)

[@choosejoy93]

@@saraforutan I'm glad you are feeling more present and got your libido back! I trying to fix my libido right now and the current theory I am trying out is upping my protein intake. So who knows....maybe that will help. All I know is I'm very unhappy in that department and then spaciness (whether from the pill or not) ontop of that and I'm just not there or enjoying life the way I used to. I'm glad the acv helped a bit!

[@saraforutan]

Monica Beal her implant came out because of the pill??? That’s crazy

[@KelliDM]

Thanks for making these videos! I’m about to get off the pill and am educating myself on FAM beforehand. I had never heard of it before this year (just turned 30), and really wish they talked about these kinds of things in high school and college. But I guess it’s better late than never! 😏

[@choosejoy93]

I love this video 💜 It gives me comfort and I might even feel like crying simply because hearing this level-headed approach (instead of rushing in all crazy like!) helps me to feel better about my situation. I am currently trying to fix some issues through diet before making a pill decision because honestly I consider myself lucky in regards to side effects. I dont feel terrible at all. But the pill doesnt resonate with me, I want off and my current living situation does not feel stable enough in certain ways for me to go with FAM at the moment. So having the plan I just came up with yesterday and then hearing this is pure confirmation and gives me a sense of calm that it will be okay, even if I feel like I need to stay on the pill a little bit longer. Thank you for all your wisdom Victoria. I know we are close in age but you are so much like a mother figure to me with your amazing knowledge and nurturing personality. Never stop spreading this amazing information you beautiful and amazing lady! I love you so much. You give me so much hope! 💜

[@emilypulliam298]

My cycle was TERRIBLE before getting on the pill-- I'm talking 3-4 week long HEAVY periods to the point where I was hospitalized due to blood loss and low hemoglobin at the age of 15. The doctor put me on the HBC pill before I was even discharged. I've now been on it for almost 15 years. The pill has masked my issues, but it was never determined what was wrong with me. I'm TERRIFIED to go off of the pill, but really want to to start tracking my cycle, get off synthetic hormones, and try to conceive. Thank you for all the info! Going to take that leap after this pill pack :)

[@calistasalinas]

Did you end up doing it? I’ve been on for 10 years and so nervous!

[@emilypulliam298]

@@calistasalinas yes! I ended up going off the pill and had a normal cycle for about two months before getting pregnant with our son :) I will never go back on it again

[@dalaneymason5686]

I looove the idea of this series! I got off the pill last year and my skin went CRAZY, so I got back on. Well now a year later I just got off again, for good this time. So I would love if you made some videos like you mentioned about how to help your body during this transition!

[@MegShha]

Victoria has been amazingly helpful in answering my detailed questions via email. Recently she was on vacation and yet she answered all my questions. I am so so grateful to her for not only offering this course but being patient and detail-oriented to ensure that I understood and can follow the chart your cycle method diligently. I seriously cannot recommend her enough. I have already told all my girlfriends about her and the fact that she cares so much to make sure that you can follow the method as your birth control method means a lot. I didn't know going into it that Victoria will be so helpful patient even a year after I signed up for the course and answer all of my emails (we've a chain of 40 emails you guys 40 haha) this is serious and Victora understands that seriousness. I appreciate her thoroughness and patience beyond words! So, sign up for the course with her and do your mental and physical health a favor :)

[@cazzawee]

I started the pill when I was 16 because I started having sex. I got my period when I was maybe 12, and from then until starting the pill I had a very irregular cycle. I never knew when it was coming, sometimes it didn't come for months at a time. The period itself was pretty easy to deal with, no crazy cramps or anything. I'm not sure if that's just how my cycle is, or if it was still irregular due to being young. I'm super anxious to know what will happen when I stop birth control. I'm 24 now, so it's been 8 years. I was on the combined pill for the first 7 years and the mini pill for this last year. I've known for a couple of years that I want to lessen my synthetic hormones intake and now I think it's about time I stop it all together and just let my body do it's thing. I'd love to use the fertility awareness method and really get to know my body.

[@KeaLynn]

How has it been so far?? Did you like the mini pill better than the combo pill?

[@JessieSamanthaEmily]

I feel like you made this video right when I am reading and learning about FAM. I have been on the ring for 8 years and the pill 2 years before that. I've skipped a month here and there (nothing drastic happened and I usually cycled within a month-ish) but it's been since I was 17 so I'm not sure if it's like what it was before. I've been wanting to get off it for a while because I think it is giving me blood clots and making me moody (I'm just convinced). I am reading TCOYF, bought a thermometer to get in the habit and am going to make an appointment to get a diaphragm I think? I want to talk to my doctor but I think that's what I want to pursue. I'm still on my ring now but I'm thinking this will be my last one. Your videos have been super helpful! I've been binge watching them lately.

[@rebeccatamagno7522]

I don't understand why you don't have mooooore subscribers!! You are such an empowering women, your videos are very direct and informative. I love you, truly 😘 kiss

[@nicoleohara1797]

Is it bad that I’ve been on HBC so long that I can’t remember what my cycles were like before lol?

[@princesslulu5795]

Nicole O'Hara it’s not uncommon unfortunately. I started HBC when I was a teenager and I’d only been having periods for a few years. They were irregular and difficult but no one told me that that was actually quite normal or that the irregularities could be a symptom of pcos (I found out just this year that I have PCOS and it explains a great deal) or other disorders that can’t just be covered up with HBC. I was heavily pressured to take and continue HBC for several years and was never made aware that I should have investigated *why I was having problems. I could have died or had to get a hysterectomy because doctors ignored increasingly severe pain that turned out to be cysts so large they covered my ovaries and brought them very close to torsion. I wasn’t made aware that there were other options.

[@imfittted4829]

Nicole O'Hara same!

[@KeaLynn]

Same I was put on it at age 13 only after about a year of periods because they were painful

[@ediemarnie]

Thanks, as always, for your amazing work. You're helping so many women.

[@umbelinocristiana]

I've been on the pill, prescribed by my dermatologist for cystic acne, since my 1st period at age 14. I'm 45 now, and lived a life of major depression and GAD, always being medicated with strong and difficult meds. Never had anyone, of the many Dr.s i went this past 30 years, asking me about the pill or letting me know about the possible relation with chronical depression and GAD. Now, i dont even know if it's possible to reverse the pills effects on my body... Do your research before you trust any Dr., bcs at the end of the day: it's your body and mind!!!

[@stephaniecanoduran5854]

I took my last active pill April 26th and I'm still feeling depressed, been thinking of going to therapy for the first time in my life

[@May52525]

I know it's super "trendy" but have you considered CBD? It's helped me tremendously.

[@mikaylah1313]

My period cramps are way worse on the pill.

[@articgoneape]

I've been on the pill since 2008. I want to get off of it but I remember having painful periods before it plus I Do Not want children at all. I am afraid to get off the pill but I know it would be very beneficial. *Decisions* :-(

[@michelledelkel]

That's what I'm scared of. I used to have painful periods that would make me miss school and work and have me stuck on the toilet for hours. These are hard decisions

[@articgoneape]

@@michelledelkel Truth!

[@articgoneape]

@@strawberryrasberry6468 I think after this month, I am going to attempt starting Jan 1st 2020 without the pill.

[@jinim3599]

Do you think it is possible to treat endometriosis without hormones? Can you maybe make a video about endometriosis and hormones? :)

[@l0tus3ater81]

Check out the book Woman Code by Lisa Vitti. Very interesting.

[@leonoramaya]

I’ve heard by going vegan! I’ve watched like a lot of videos and they all lead to that

[@animeloveer97]

Yes with some surprisingly simple things like diet changes (such as less carbohydrates cause they cause hormone issue in some people) and weight loss in general. Exersize has been known to help (like over time daily fitness stuff ) cause your overall better body health causing hormones to (for many) balance out better? I've seen alot of stuff on Reddit when I did zero carb about 3yra ago (for 6 months) and my periods when from every 6 months and hell to every 1 month (after 2 months of the diet) I was honestly not expecting it but it reeLly did help. Something about insulin resistance with carbs making weight gain really easy and messes up your hormones in the process? I don't exactly remember but I'd highly recommend asking your doctor about diets to help and mabey resources where you can find information to manage I'm sure they will know or if you can't see a doctor you can go on boards on Reddit like endometriosis specific ones or the PCOS one where they talk about this alot

[@betsy1823]

Hi! love your videos, very informative!

[@ddcjenn]

I knew after having my son that I didn't want to use hormonal birth control ever again as I had been on the pill for almost 20 years! I chose a copper IUD and it was inserted at 8 weeks pp and have been having so many problems I'm waiting for my appointment to have it removed. I bought TCOYF and a basal body thermometer and have started charting to get a feel of my cycle before the IUD is removed. I highly recommend people checking into symptoms from the copper IUD before insertion because I had no idea that a non hormonal option has caused so many issues for so many people. Thank you so much for your content Victoria, I feel so empowered to start my FAM journey and I wish I found this option sooner and am sharing it with anyone who will listen.

[@princesslulu5795]

DDC Jenn if you want a hormone free method but didn’t do so well with an iud, and if condoms aren’t great for you (or you want additional protection along with condoms) I strongly strongly suggest you look into trying a diaphragm. They’re a bit tough to get in the US (which I think is because big pharma spends millions promoting the hormonal methods since the diaphragms don’t make a lot of money; so now many women don’t even know it exists or is still available let alone how to get one). The ones available in the US are the caya (I love this one! It’s a one size fits most and super comfortable), the FemCap, Milex omniflex, and Milex arcing style. You’ll probably have to get most of this info from researching it yourself but trust me it’s definitely worth at least considering. It changed my life and I wish it was discussed more

[@emmahanly604]

Been going down the rabbit hole with your videos and you've been so helpful, huge thanks to you! I'm getting my IUD removed today and plan on staying off of hormonal birth control for the foreseeable future. While I get my regular cycle back, I'll be using condoms, but for the future I'd like to start the FAM. Just downloaded Kindara and I plan on taking an FAM course online. Do you have any recommendations? Or do you teach FAM in a course format anywhere online? Thank you again 💛 super glad I found your channel :)

[@consuelocostas9146]

Hi! I'm really interested in taking your Ditch the pill course but on the site the registration is closed. Will you be re-opening it anytime soon? Thank you :) Love your channel

[@meliajay4570]

Did you stop taking hormonal birth control immediately? I only took them for about 8 days but I got really bad headaches so I want to stop taking them but I was told I’d had to gradually get off of it.

[@abbeydawn7136]

Update?

[@meliajay4570]

@@abbeydawn7136 I just stopped them immediately because the headaches became too severe. I got another brand of hormonal birth control that didn’t give me headaches at all

[@hopezabala3082]

I really enjoy your videos!

[@britneyborchert8051]

I just watched your video about the Dasy birth control method. I am 28 and have been on a low dose progesterone and estrogen birth control pill since I was 16. I am wanting to get off of hormonal birth control and am interested in the Dasy method BUT unsure how it will work for me. My first period was at 15 when I wasn’t sexually active or on a pill and I didn’t get my second period until 6 months later. Basically I’ve never had a normal cycle off of hormonal birth control. Any thoughts on how I can make Dasy work for me? How long can it take to be accurate? I’m in a monogamous committed relationship with a man and am sexually active and I can not have a child now. Very worried...and this is what has kept me on BC for so long. I will be talking with my doctor at my next appointment but was hoping you could/would give me your insight and thoughts on this. Thank you!

[@Nadine9ymp]

Britney Borchert, really know how you feel. I've quite my mirena 1 months ago. I struggled with the discussion for quite some time... stop or keep on BC. Right now I'm just in love with my body.... I started using the lady comp. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[@emilypaulhus5381]

Britney, I totally know where you're coming from. I was on BC for almost 10 years before I learned about Daysy and the fertility awareness method. I read the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" which made me feel a lot more confident about going off of BC and using the fertility awareness method to prevent pregnancy. I've been charting my cycles for almost 2 years now and I'm so happy with this method and with everything I've learned about my body in the process. Now I use Daysy in addition to charting my other fertility signs. I use Daysy more out of interest in the product than actually relying on it for pregnancy prevention. Definitely check out the "Taking Charge of your Fertility" book, though!

[@fuhgetabatit1051]

Wow. I totally get what you're saying. I have been on bc since I was 14. I'm 26 now so it's been a long time. Now I'm married and we certainly don't want children, ever. I wish I was comfortable with FAM.

[@sarahcowles3444]

I have a question... I am new to the FAM method, so I have been feeling my cervix for the first time.. I am wondering if it's normal for someone who has never had a baby to have a "line" cervical opening instead of the small hole they always describe? I have zero other symptoms, and I do tend to be a hypochondriac. It's a curse. Does anyone else have this?

[@sydneynewton8497]

When will the ditch the pill class be open again?

[@princesslulu5795]

What do you suggest for treating PCOS and it’s many variations/difficulties without hormones?

[@kaylatifa0420]

Have you looked into ovusence?

[@Zeis012]

I quit last year, but I want to get back on it again :c

[@missdancer1000]

Zeis012 hello, why do you want o get on it again? Take care 😊