When it is decided to stop contraceptive use, there may be some changes in the woman's body, such as loss or weight gain, delayed menstruation, worsening colic and PMS symptoms, and, of course, increase the risk of pregnancy, which happen because the body needs to be readapted to hormone changes.
The contraceptive can be stopped at any time, but preferably when the carton is finished, for better control of the cycle. These effects begin to be felt about 2 weeks after the suspension of the remedy, when the body perceives the lack of artificial hormones and begins to have to produce them naturally, but this can vary according to each woman and the type of contraceptive used.
Thus, the main effects of contraceptive suspension are:
1. Weight change
It is known that the substances in this medicine can cause fluid retention, with varying intensity according to each type, so it is common to lose weight a little after stopping. On the other hand, how to stop contraception can cause greater oscillations in the woman's mood, weight gain also occurs due to increased appetite, physical activity and a greater desire for sweets.
What to do : The best bet is to eat healthy, rich in calcium, vitamin B6 and magnesium, such as vegetables, fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, which help the body balance hormone levels and eliminate toxins, which worsen fluid retention and moodiness. Performing physical activity is critical to improving circulation, burning fat and regulating appetite.
2. Deregulation of menstruation
By stopping the use of contraception, the ovaries need to re-produce their hormones, and in addition take time, they are not as punctual and constant as with the use of medicines.
What to do : These changes of a few days are usually normal, but if they are very intense, to the point of staying 2 months without menstruating, or menstruating 3 times a month, for example, consult your gynecologist for levels of hormones and ovarian function. One tip is to always note the dates of the menses and how long it lasted, to know how the rhythm of your cycle works.
3. Worsening menstrual cramps
When we menstruate naturally, without action of the effects of the medicine, the tissue of the uterus becomes thicker, which is a preparation for a possible pregnancy, causing worsening of colic and blood flow during menstruation.
What to do : Taking anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or mefenamic acid, to relieve symptoms of colic, in addition to making compress warm water in the belly or lumbar region, can relieve colic. Check out some tips to decrease menstrual cramps.
4. PMS and mood swings
As the female hormones produced naturally in the ovaries have a more intense and abrupt variation during the month, when contraceptive is taken, worsening of PMS is more common, with irritability, sadness, impulsivity, changes of sleep and headache.
What to do : To relieve PMS symptoms, you should focus on calming foods such as passion fruit juice, chamomile tea, 1 bit bitter chocolate, and relaxation, meditation and stretching exercises. Check out more tips on how to combat the main symptoms of PMS.
5. Skin changes
Most pills decrease testosterone production, leaving the skin cleaner, dry, and unobstructed pores, so when we stop using contraceptive, it is very common for skin to have more oil and pimples. Some types of contraceptive, however, may have different compositions, so the effect may be otherwise contrary.
What to do : To combat the oiliness of the skin, you can use some lotions or astringent soaps purchased from the pharmacy, and use 1 or 2 times a day. But when the formation of pimples is more intense, it is necessary to go to the dermatologist for guidance on the use of more specific creams, such as benzoyl peroxide or adapalene, for example.
6. Increased hair and libido
Because many contraceptives limit the production of hormones, including testosterone, it is common that, when we stop using them, their production returns to the natural and may arise more unwanted hair, a little thicker voice, and an increase in the will of the contact intimate.
What to do : As these hormones are natural to the body, we must accept them and better understand how our body works naturally, in addition to talking with the partner about these changes. While unwanted hair can do a bit more work, it can be solved with hair removal or bleaching techniques. Taking peppermint and marigold teas are great tips for the natural treatment of excess hair.
7. Increased amount of intimate secretions
It is common for a woman to feel that there is greater moisture in the intimate region, both in the day-to-day and the intimate contact, which is part of the body's greater natural production of estrogen.
What to do : This type of secretion is perfectly natural, and indicates that the ovaries are working well. It is important to have a change of underwear every bath to maintain hygiene and prevent the proliferation of micro-organisms in the region.
How long does it take to get pregnant?
The time the woman's body adapts to the absence of the contraceptive hormones can vary, usually between a few days to 1 year, especially if the drug has been used for many years. Injectable contraceptives, because they contain higher levels of hormones, can cause a greater delay for the ovaries and uterus to allow pregnancy, but everything will depend on the ability of each organism to eliminate the artificial substances from the body and re-produce their own.
There are foods that can help the body produce its own hormones and nutrients, and eliminate the artificial effects of contraceptive, especially those rich in zinc, vitamins B6, A, C, E and omega-3 such as eggs, fish, broccoli, oats, quinoa, wheat, sunflower seed and avocado, for example. Learn more about increasing fertility with food.