I’ve been on Lo Loestrin Fe (a low dose combo pill) since July. I’ve never been on birth control before because I was nervous of side effects from hormones, but then it got to the point where my anxiety about getting pregnant was worse. But now I’m having second thoughts. I’ve been on the pill for six months, and in the first few months I seemed ok, but lately I’ve noticed a more general feeling of blah and malaise. I don’t know if it’s the pill or just my own mental health. I’m thinking of taking a month or two off of the pill to see if I notice a difference. Has anyone else taken breaks from the pill like this? Did you notice a difference and then did you change to a new method you liked more?

Taking breaks like that is not how the pill should be used, as getting off and back on in a short amount of time increases your odds of blood clots and you will need to go through an entirely new adjustment phase of 3-6 months. One or two months off probably won’t make a difference, as it can easily take up to a year (or longer) for your body to adjust being off birth control again, and during this time you can experience all sorts of side effects and withdrawals. You’ve only just gotten through the adjustment phase, if you feel like it’s not working out you are better off trying a different pill or method entirely, but you wont know if the side effects on those will be better or worse. I would recommend reaching out to a professional if you are struggling with your mental health. If you are certain of your choice and plan to get off birth control it should be for a minimum of 12 months before getting back on.