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I have been on the pill (ortho tri cyclen) for about four years now and I am about to quit, as I don't like taking hormones.
I am wondering if my breast size will decrease when I stop taking it.
I seem to be about 5-7 pounds lighter when not on the pill, as I heard that it can make one gain weight in the secondary sexual characteristics!
I was about a C when not taking it and am closer to a D now. I am afraid that when I stop, my breasts will be less firm and will get smaller. Is this likely? Or has all this been in my head?
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I recently quit taking ortho tri cyclen after six solid years of use and immediately in the first week I felt flu-like (sweating, headache, etc) but after a few days I felt back to normal. I haven't noticed any difference physically, nor did I gain weight (breast-size) when I began six years ago. The major added bonus of quitting birth control was that my sex-drive shot way up. I never realized how much the pill had effected me in that way.
January 20, 2010 - 10:53pmThis Comment
Catherine,
Thanks so much for coming here and telling us about your experience. It sounds like you had a few mild withdrawal symptoms but that you've done well! Is your cycle regular again or did it take you a little while to return to being regular? In some women, it takes a few months for their own hormones to take back over from the birth control pills.
Interesting about your sex drive increasing!!! Are you using a different birth control method now, or are you trying to conceive?
January 22, 2010 - 8:38amThis Comment
I can't really say if you're breast size will decrease on ortho because it depends on the person but I was on it and had absolutely no change in my breasts.
June 15, 2009 - 5:30amI have to agree with Kristin-- you are way too young to be going through perimenopause or menopause. I also agree with Alysiak, age and gravity will help with that eventually :/
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Actually, I said that she's right at the age that perimenopause starts for a lot of women -- that's one thing I'm trying to spread word about because I bet there are lots of women (I was one!) who had no idea that perimenopause typically starts in your mid to late 30's. We need to be aware of this, especially when there are so many women who are experiencing symptoms such as heavy periods and end up getting procedures done such as ablation or hysterectomy, when in fact they might have just needed to tweak their hormone levels instead of having to do something so invasive and potentially devastating.
June 15, 2009 - 9:24amThis Comment
Thanks Kristin,
June 14, 2009 - 12:07pmI am thinking about it! Confused now though....I never thought of the pill as HRT...I only ever went on it to stop from getting pregnant.
And "my girls" are in damn good shape at a C+.....I always though it was because I don't have kids! I just don't want them to start any sagging any time soon....I suppose at 38 that I am lucky.
My gut also tells me that I am a long ways off menopause...hope I am right!
Thanks for the info!
I wonder how ortho tri cyclen compares with other contraceptive pills for relief of menopausal symptoms in general....
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You know, I have no idea how ortho tri cyclen compares to other bcp's. That would be a great question for our experts....
You're most likely a long ways off from menopause, but I bet you're very close to perimenopause if not already there! Oh joy.... :)
June 14, 2009 - 10:02pmThis Comment
OK, ladies - let me put it this way: age and gravity will affect "the girls," unless you get "help." Fact of life.
The more important consideration is how you're going to deal with this inevitable process called menopause, and all its iterations and manifestations. We do what we can do, LOL!
June 12, 2009 - 5:09pmThis Comment
LOL! My "girls" are so small that not even gravity affects them. Seriously, though, I think that the important thing here is to go with your gut, and if your gut is telling you to get off the pill, then go for it. Spend some time getting to know your body without HRT. And if you should experience bothersome symptoms, you'll know the pill is an alternative, along with other alternatives out there.
June 14, 2009 - 8:16amThis Comment
Oh right...so long as I don't LOOK in my mid/late 30's...LOL!!!! BTW, I get carded all the time!
June 12, 2009 - 4:47pmIt's funny how we all start to become familiar with each others stories on here...I love it!
Damn, now I'm torn!!!! I had it all planned to stop this month. I even have my sponge and condoms on the way in the mail!!! I guess that I can always quit and then go back on it again....
I would just HATE to start those scary symptoms!!
The thing is, I feel fabulous! I am painting better than I ever have in my life and maybe that's all because of the pill....I never would have thought!
What to do....what to do....
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YEAH! Thanks Kristin! BTW, how did you know my age?? I never mentioned it in my post..LOL
June 12, 2009 - 4:15pmWell...I guess we'll see what happens.
If you were me, would you figure that it is best to stay on the pill for fear of feeling perimenopausal symptoms? I am on ortho tri cyclen.
I have always been a little moody as a result of pms but my periods have always been very regular either on or off the pill.
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