Getting off Hormonal Birth Control: What I Expected vs. What Actually Happened

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In this episode, I’m getting a little more personal and sharing my journey of coming off hormonal birth control.

If you’ve ever thought about stopping birth control but felt anxious or overwhelmed by the horror stories online, I hope this episode brings you some reassurance. I’ll walk you through my fears, how I prepared my body, what I actually experienced, and why it ended up being way less scary than I expected.

Disclaimer: This is just my personal experience! I am not a Dr or a functional health coach. This isn't my speciality. This episode shares my personal journey. It's not meant to act as advice or a roadmap for what YOU should do!

Why I Wanted to Get Off Birth Control

Like many women, I had been on hormonal birth control (BC) for over a decade. I started in my teens when my doctor prescribed it to regulate my cycle, and I stayed on it for years without really questioning it. But by 2023, I started feeling like I wanted to transition off. I didn’t love the idea of synthetic hormones in my body long-term, and I was curious about how my body would function without them. Plus, my husband and I knew we wanted kids in the next five years, so I wanted to ensure my cycle was regular before we started trying.

However, I was terrified of what would happen. I had seen so many stories about women who struggled for years to get their period back, gained a ton of weight, or dealt with horrible acne. I was anxious about how my body would respond, and that anxiety hit me hard.

The Anxiety I Felt Around Stopping Birth Control

On January 1st—the year I told myself I’d quit BC—I had the worst panic attack of my life. My heart was pounding out of my chest, and I felt completely out of control. From that moment, my anxiety skyrocketed. I started having panic attacks in situations where I normally felt fine—when driving, coaching, or even home alone. It wasn’t just about birth control; it was about control in general.

For 15 years, I knew what my body felt like on birth control. I had been maintaining my weight for eight years, my skin was clear, and I rarely had surprises with my health. But now, I felt like I was stepping into the unknown, and my brain went into full panic mode.

What Happened When I Finally Stopped Birth Control

When January 2025 rolled around, I felt so much better—and guess what? My body adjusted way more easily than I expected. My period came back the first month, and overall, the transition was smooth. Here’s what I noticed:

✔️ My anxiety improved – I actually felt more emotionally balanced, which was the opposite of what I feared.

✔️ I was more creative – This is something I wasn’t expecting, but I noticed a shift in my mindset and energy.

✔️ I had more emotional moments in the first few weeks – Nothing extreme, but I definitely could feel heightened sensitivity

✔️ My skin became slightly more sensitive – I noticed a little more texture, but it was nothing like the acne horror stories I read online.

How I Set Myself Up for a Smooth Transition off hormonal birth control

I truly believe that my lifestyle habits played a huge role in making this transition easier. If you’re planning to stop birth control, here are some things that helped me:

✅ Eating enough calories – I made sure I wasn’t in a calorie deficit, which can affect hormone balance.

✅ Prioritizing macros & micros – I focused on whole foods, getting enough protein, and supporting my body with key nutrients.

✅ Getting 8-9 hours of sleep per night – Sleep plays a huge role in hormone regulation.

✅ Managing stress – My stress was already in check before quitting BC, which made a big difference.

✅ Taking a high-quality multivitamin – Birth control depletes key nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, and selenium, so I supplemented accordingly. (I personally use Legion’s multivitamin. I am an affiliate with them and SweatSimple will save you money on your first order but, I really believe in their products.)

Final Thoughts: It Wasn’t As Scary As I Thought

If you’re thinking about stopping birth control but feel overwhelmed by the stories online, I want you to know that it doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. Yes, some women struggle with hormonal imbalances, but that’s not everyone’s reality. I’m so glad I took my time, worked through my fears, and set my body up for success.

If you’re struggling with deeper hormonal issues, I highly recommend working with a specialist, but if you’re just nervous about making the change—know that it can be a smooth transition.

If you found this episode helpful, let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience.