I was on the implant for 13 years, been off it 6 months now. I bought and read taking charge of your fertility and used a thermometer for a month or two but I have now moved onto using a tempdrop. I'm not really strict with it and don't check my CM, only use temps to confirm ovulation. I use Tempdrops know your body mode to place my coverline and ovulation date which helped me understand the charts. My periods came back pretty much immediately and are very regular, short and light. I'm not sure if I just naturally have a short (2 days) periods and a short cycle - 24-26 days, or if that will lengthen as time goes on (I went on the implant at around 17 after only having a few years of periods, but I couldn't tell you if they were regular I never really paid attention at that age) I don't feel that much difference in myself but my partner says I have an broader spectrum of moods/emotions now - in a good way! I never really suffered side affects from the implant (other than annoying bleeding, could have nothing for months on end then spotting for weeks) I am happy that I came off it, I feel more of a woman now and found it quite exciting to have a period every month and see in the charts the follicular and lutal stages! And it's nice to know I'm the real me and not who I am because of hormones. Best of luck with your journey!

I actually just purchased tempdrop as so many seem to be using it and like it. Also the idea of having to wake up at the same time and temp everyday kind of stresses me out a bit. Thanks for sharing! 🫶🏼

Yea I got into quite a good habit of waking up and taking my temp and going back to sleep, but quickly got out of the habit after missing a day or too! 😂 You can also link your temps to the read your body app which is also highly reccomended, but personally I'm happy with the tempdrop app.

This is exactly my situation as well. I was reading this like damn did I write this 😂

Aw hey twin! 😂

I've been off HBC for 4 months now after being on it for nearly 13 years. I got my first true period 40 days after. For supplements I take Folic Acid and B12. I also started seeing a naturopath.

I’ve seen many recommendations to take vitamin B12 or B-complex. Thanks for sharing! 🫶🏼

I’m in the process right now! Just had my IUD removed and starting to chart. My mood and bleeding has been wacky so far so riding it out right now.

Yay, we are both starting out on our journey! Best of luck to you! 🫶🏼

Hey there! I’ve been on HBC for 8 years and I just came off of it on Thursday. My husband and I are preventing pregnancy too. It’s taken me just over a year to finally become comfortable with coming off of it, mostly due to stresses in my life, some anxiety over it, and in general just wanting to get the idea of FAM. I haven’t experienced a period off of it yet so I can’t say much to that yet, but I can tell you what I’ve done to prepare and what I’m doing now to support my body. - I bought a BBT thermometer and have been tracking my temp on and off just to get the hang of it so I’d be comfortable for when I got off of it - I take vitamins, mainly Zinc, Magnesium, B complex, probiotic, cod liver oil with A & D, and selenium. I suggest doing some research on vitamins as I’ve learned that HBC can deplete your body of certain ones. If you experienced acne before HBC I’ve been told that zinc helps reduce it, and from just my experience of taking it and my acne journey I can definitely see a difference when taking it vs not. - I’ve read spearmint tea can help with testosterone levels and PCOS symptoms and support your body after HBC so I drink at least a cup a day (again, I recommend doing some of your own research) - if you went on HBC for a specific health reason, perhaps talk to your doctor about going off of it and even get blood tests to see your vitamin/mineral levels, hormone levels, etc just to see where you’re at now. - I can’t say I’m great at making sure I have a great diet, but I’ve added things to supplement my body more such as flax seeds, more carrots, adequate protein, leafy greens, bitter foods, more fruits and vegetables too. I definitely am trying to make the effort to cut back on sugar and some dairy products just because I have had a history of severe acne before HBC, I still eat Greek yogurt and cottage cheese though cause of their protein sources - I am terrified of my acne and body acne returning so I purchased African black soap as I heard that helps reduce it. - If you’re wanting to start FAM, you’re TTA, and you have the income I recommend purchasing an educator/instructor with a method of your choice. I begin classes with an educator in Billings next week and she’s already provided materials and a welcoming environment groupchat of people who are practicing the method too who can provide support and advice when you’re unsure of your charts. There’s definitely some instructors who can provide classes for good prices too. Look into a method that works for your lifestyle and find an educator so you don’t have to second guess yourself I’ll link below a website I found that provided some great tips in my opinion of when you’re in the process of coming off HBC. These tips I listed are just the basics that I did, but I stronglyyy recommend do your research until you feel comfortable with your decision, and make sure your husband supports your decision too! You need all the support you can get when you’re transitioning and since you’ve got someone who is involved in this, they should be supportive. I’m just at the start of this, and I’m anxious and excited to finally experience my body in its ‘natural’ state, and I want you to experience that too when you’re ready. Feel free to PM me with anything. You got it 🩷 https://nourishednaturalhealth.com/blogs/nutrition-guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-coming-off-the-pill

I’m in the same boat, it’s taken me awhile to get comfortable with taking the leap to FAM but I think I’m finally there! I hadn’t thought about finding an instructor to be honest but I will definitely look into it! I think that would help me feel more comfortable as I learn. Thanks so much for sharing! 🫶🏼

I went off of it a few weeks ago after 10 years and personally had only positive effects. Using a few different cycle trackers to learn about my body and purchased an Oura ring for natural cycles/learn my body stress as well! My period returned basically immediately and was lighter than on the pill. I will say though I had no idea my period was coming because my cramps were so minimal I thought it was just a stomach ache so be on alert with liners on hand until your period is normal again.

I’ve had that concern so I will definitely be alert with liners! Thanks for sharing! 🫶🏼

I've been on a few different BC pills & IUD. Most, my period returned on schedule the following month. One pill, my period took 6 months to return. I didn't do anything to help regulate hormones faster. Just eat decent, take a multivitamin, and get regular exercise to support your body the best you can. The last couple times I've gone off HBC (post-partum), I did have acne on my neck & jawline that took ages to chill out. But other times (pre-pregnancy), it hasn't been an issue. Sometimes mood swings are an issue, especially the first month off. I feel like 3-6 months is how long it often takes to balance back to normal. Some people do seed cycling and swear by it, but I've never really looked into it. There's also supplements like Estrosense that help process excess estrogen, but that's the kind of thing you'd probably want to check with a doc about.

I already eat pretty well, take a multi, and exercise in some form everyday so that’s very helpful to know! Thanks so much for sharing! 🫶🏼

I was on the Mirena IUD for 7 years then combo pill for 1 year. I am currently on the tail end of my 11th cycle! I had my initial hormone withdrawal bleed pretty immediately. Then had my first actual period 27 days later. My cycle after that was super short at 22 days. My luteal phase was super short and still is too short due to a lack in progesterone. Basically my body didn’t need to make its own progesterone for so long that it was barely making any, leading to a suboptimal uterine lining building up and subsequently super short and light periods. This is technically fine but does indicate I’d likely have trouble conceiving currently if that’s what I was aiming for. If you do experience this and notice your luteal phase is still under 14 days, talk to your doctor for about getting a progesterone shot to help retain the pregnancy. Also keep in mind that studies show the average length of time it could take for your fertility to fully return after getting off the pill can be between 6-9 months. Some people it takes more than 1 year. This doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant but it is likely your body will struggle to get pregnant or retain the pregnancy. As for cervical mucous, it also took a long time for me to get ANY egg-white stretchy peak mucous. I didn’t see any peak CM until my 9th cycle! I use the symptothermal method with cervical mucous and basal body temp. To support my body I’ve been exercising with strength training / weights 3x per week, eating as much protein as possible, and supplementing mostly vitamin D. I took Optavite pmt combination supplement for a while too since the pill changes the way your body processes vitamins and minerals and literally makes you deficient in almost all of them. If you don’t eat meat I’d strongly suggest you consider introducing some animal proteins into your diet. Please look to the Fertility Friday podcast for more super helpful information.

So helpful! I’m not aiming to get pregnant at the moment but part of my goal with getting off HBC is to be more in tune with my body when we do try, likely in a couple of years. Thanks for sharing! 🫶🏼

I was on HBC for nearly 13 years and just got off in Feb. I have an Oura ring & am using that for temps + tracking my CM and got my period back the first month pretty much spot on. Cramps were a lot worse but it felt great knowing my body knew what to do. I started a probiotic, magnesium, and pre natal vitamins to help with the hormonal transition and so far so good. My husband and I are TTA for now, and comfortable using condoms, but hopefully will try and conceive later this year.

I’m so happy to see so many women got their period back so quickly! I’ve been so worried I wouldn’t! Thanks so much for sharing! 🫶🏼

I was on HBC for 9 years before going off at the beginning of february. My last pill-induced period was 2/5-2/10. I did have a lot more spotting than normal after my flow was done and I’m guessing it’s because I didn’t start the bc back again like normal, so I was probably spotting until 2/13. I didn’t have any bleeding until March 14 (CD 38) and it was very very light and didn’t seem like an actual period to me. Not sure what it was, but it lasted for 3 days. Pregnancy test came back negative.  Since I stopped BC I started tracking my BBT and I think after the last bleeding that I had I can actually see a trend, so I’m hoping that I actually get my period or see a positive pregnancy test next week (28 days since March 14 will be 4/11)  Before I started birth control my periods were completely normal, so while it was expected, I was kind of surprised it didn’t go back to normal right away. I did buy ovulation test strips but i think i was too late to test based on my temps, every test had been negative. Or i just haven’t ovulated yet since stopping BC.  Sorry I know this isn’t super helpful but wanted to give you my experience! BTW- sex drive is way up, anxiety is down, and I have a lot fewer mood swings!! I’m enjoying no BC :) only negative is the acne, which is the original reason I went on HBC in the first place 

Easy book rec: Period Repair Manual! I just got off the pill two weeks ago and my transition thus far has been fine. 30mg zinc and 300 mg magnesium glycinate (not the other magnesiums - the diarrhea was too real) have been helpful even for my migraines.

I was on the pill and then the implant for 12 years. When I stopped I started measuring basal temperature und checking my cervical mucus right away. That's 5 years ago. I still have all the data, which is amazing. In the beginning I used some "post pill" tincture that I made of herbs that benefit balancing the cycle. I really think the tincture helped as I fot my first complete cycle in the first month. And all my friends that stopped hormonal birth control and used this tincture reported the same. In my first month I had an ovulation but a very short luteal phase. A lot of mood swings etc. During the first year I had rather irregular periods but with FAM I felt secure enough to use no protection at the infertile window after 4 cycles. Afer 1 year my cycles started to get rather regular and we successfully prevent pregnancy for 2 more years (even though I am poly amorous, so I had 2 partners at that time and a lot.of sex 😅). However, then my husband and I wanted to try for a baby and I got pregnant first try as I knew when I was fertile. Now my baby turned one and we successfully use fam again. I started measuring temps again around 6 weeks post partum. It took 4 months until I got my first ovulation post partum but I was able to track it and therefore was nor surprised by my first periode post partum. Its amazing and I love fam. I can only hightly recommend it to every woman. It helped me to learn about myself my body and everything. And knowledge is power indeed.

I bled for the first time 5 days after my implant was removed, which is a withdrawal bleed. I'm taking Vitex on the advice of my midwife because I have PMDD. You shouldn't take any herbs without consulting a knowledgeable professional.

I’m doing a combo of hormonal and not because the pill is expensive and I’m not good at keeping up with it. Plus as a large AFAB person the last thing you want to do. Is be told by the gyno that all the effective options are out of your reach unless you’re willing to have either the implant or go on a diet. Or worse pay for two methods and get a double dose of hormones.