What are the reasons for irregular periods after I stop taking birth control?
What are the reasons for irregular periods after I stop taking birth control?

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What are the reasons for irregular periods after I stop taking birth control?

What are the reasons for irregular periods after I stop taking birth control?

A common sign, and signal, of menopause irregular periods happen for many reasons. One of these reasons is when women stop to take birth control. Birth control has a relationship with irregular periods in which they alter the amount of hormones in your body and, thus, make it work differently.

irregular-periodsBirth control pills do a wonderful thing for menopausal women; they regulate the main two hormones, progesterone and estrogen, in your body. They halt everything from mood swings to irregular periods. There are many other reasons that stretch from stress, fatigue, weight loss and many other situations in life that result in affects on the body.

How do we define irregular periods?

irregular-periods-and-birth-control-pills1Even woman should have a monthly period until the end of menopause and this means that if a period does not occur every 25 to 31 days then they can be classed as irregular. There is no standard guideline as all women are different, but missing a period or going outside the monthly lines would class as irregular.

Periods that are irregular are, generally, nothing to worry about – many women have them all the time. But, what happens after taking birth control that makes irregular periods so common?

The relationship between birth control and irregular periods

First of all, there are many reasons as to why people use birth control and they can stop for numerous reasons. The reason that they affect periods so much is that because whilst you’re on this pill your ovulation gets prevented. Once you stop taking the pill then your hormones will leave the body quickly.

The upshot of this is that your body immediately returns to its original pattern in terms of menstruation. Often it is only women who had irregular periods prior to taking birth control who suffer but it has been known to happen in women who didn’t.

Could there be a different reason for me having irregular periods?

If you didn’t suffer from irregular periods previously, then it is likely that coming off the pill has had an effect but it’s unlikely to be the sole reason for your irregular periods. Some things to check are:

•  Stress
•  Diet
•  Travel
•  Weight

These four things, among others, could be the reason why you suffer from irregular periods following the stopping of taking birth control pills. Click the following link for more information about irregular periods.

Other Related Articles:
Menstrual Disorders
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Menstrual Cycle Problems and Regulation
Long Menstrual Cycles
Irregular periods for years

Sources:
  • Hutchinson, Susan M.D. "The Stages of a Woman's Life: Menstruation, Pregnancy, Nursing, Perimenopause, Menopause." November 2007.
  • Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
  • BMJ Group. "Menopause: What is it?" Patient Leaflet. 2007.