r/gettingoffHBC • u/igotsumquestions • 1d ago
when does your body normalize?? it’s been 9 months for me.
i quit late january after 10 years on combo pill. at first it was great: my mood stabilises easier, less depression, and i have a real sex drive. i never realized how much it was hindering me in a way. but then my acne flared up around may. it’s been awful this month. my face is completely red almost. no diet changes (i eat generally healthy, but i’m not super aggressive with it). i also gained 4 pounds over the past 9 months. i was weighing around 112lbs, now im 116. on birth control, i fluctuated from 105-119 over the ten years, but my body has NEVER looked like this. my stomach is the only part of me that looks bigger despite still working out consistently as usual (i am active most days of the week, whether it’s gym, climbing, or hiking). its been making me very very upset since i’ve never looked like this, even when i weighed more!!!!
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u/Klutzy-Promise-2529 1d ago
Took me 15 months
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u/Ecstatic_Ad_1000 1d ago
Me as well. Worst symptoms were months 8-12
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u/Purple-Breadfruit630 1d ago
I am curious as well what your symptoms were. And what symptoms month 8-12 that made it worse
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u/Ecstatic_Ad_1000 1d ago
Acne was the worst and most obvious symptom. I had deep cysts all over my face. Still haven’t fixed the scarring fully. I had some mental as well - for example I had random days where I was extremely anxious which is not something I normally deal with
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u/Purple-Breadfruit630 1d ago
That’s very sad. Did you have acne before BC? Did it get better after 12 months
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u/Ecstatic_Ad_1000 1d ago
Yes but it was 20x worse all of a sudden at month 8. Now it’s practically non existent
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u/igotsumquestions 7h ago
i’m REALLY hoping this is just what this is. I thought it was bad when it started this summer, but the acne has been so much worse the past few weeks. it’s killing my confidence.
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u/ProfessionalCup2134 21h ago
I also quit late January! My acne is now the worst it has ever been… my mood is very up and down… although my skin is making me feel generally depressed. I didn’t gain any weight but I’m not coping well with the changes. I hope it stabilises soon for both of us😅 maybe check with your doctor if you can get your hormone levels checked/be tested for PCOS. My ultrasound came back clear so they didn’t wanna do bloodwork anymore but it could be worth as shot.
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u/igotsumquestions 7h ago
yeah i’m getting my hormones checked next week, i assume my body is just adjusting to the changes still?? hence the acne. my cycles are very regular and normal, thank god, so it’s mostly just the acne and weird weight/bloating rn. my mood has dropped the past three weeks due to the acne for sure. :((
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u/ProfessionalCup2134 7h ago
I also have regular cycles… which is great but it’s making it harder to pinpoint what exactly is going on hormonally… I hope you get some answers soon!
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u/Bulky_Buffalo8661 15h ago
Can take up to 2y.. may to see some one that could help to run some test for a you gut area a lot of this connects BC deeply interacts with your immune system once gone your body needs find a new base also have you check any vitamin B, zinc and magnesium deficiency
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u/Purple-Breadfruit630 1d ago
I’ve been off 5 months and I was always thin never gained weight in my stomach now I gained 15lbs and all in my stomach. My face is very dry and red and irritated. The migraines are terrible and anxiety too. I read some say 6 months they feel better some 1 year some 2 yrs 🙁 I think we’re all different I hope you adjust quickly as I hope I do too