Warning: long read. I want to share the story of tapering off birth control with other women who are interested.I will be providing check-ins for this process along the way as well. Here it goes: I have taken oral birth control (Ortho-Tri Cyclen) for almost 18 years....eighteen years. I began when I was 12 and am almost 30. I was an early bloomer and had my first menses when I was 9 years old. By the time I turned 12, I was having severe period cramping and very heavy bleeding.
Of course, the answer to those problems was simple, begin hormonal birth control. The hormonal birth control never really alleviated the horrible cramping or the heavy bleeding...but I kept on. Around 18, the cramping got worse and an OBGYN proposed ovarian cysts and/or endometriosis. After an in-depth laparoscopic procedure, it was determined that I did have ovarian cysts, PCOS specifically. This was interesting to me as many women who have PCOS find relief with hormonal birth control methods, but again...I kept on. Around the age of 21, I decided I wanted to give my body a "hormonal break." Birth control zapped my libido (a problem I still very much face). Not cool for a woman in her 20's. So, one day, I just didn't start a new pack. Over the course of 6-12 months, I became severely depressed and anxious, lost a concerning amount of hair, developed migraines, became very emotional, and my skin was covered in acne. Needless to say, I went back to HBC feeling defeated, but aware that my "problems" could be quickly fixed.
Fast forward to the age of 23. Routine bloodwork at my annual physical revealed an insanely high platelet count. Repeats of said bloodwork were ordered immediately and resulted in the same values. I was then referred (very quickly) to a hematologist. Many tests were performed and ruled that I had critically low B12 and iron. Unfortunately, I could not take the prescribed iron and B12, so the issue persisted. Every year I would be informed that my platelet count was high and I'd move on without putting much thought into it, until last year it hit me: "what if this is caused by my birth control?" I dove in and began reading articles of the impact birth control has on absorption of B12, iron, and many others. Not to mention the known effect it has on platelets. So, I decided to perform my own experiment: (I do not claim this to be a good idea, but it did work)
Before my next round of bloodwork, I would take aspirin for a few days prior to see if it caused my platelets to fall into a normal range...and it did. This really solidified that my problems were being caused by birth control. So, I confessed to my doctor what I had done and the research I had been independently collecting. She was intrigued, but also concerned and suggested it may be time to stop taking the hormonal contraceptive. I panicked immediately. I knew the effects this pill was taking on my body was scary, but so was stopping. I had stopped once before and the outcome was horrific. I couldn't go through that again. So, I told her to give me until the following year (this year) to come up with a plan.
I immediately began doing deep internet dives to find what other women had done to prevent wreaking havoc on their bodies by stopping. Then I stumbled upon a forum that told the story of tapering. A woman reported tapering off of her birth control and having minimal side effects. So I tried to research as much as possible on this method, only to quickly realize this method isn't talked about in depth much. I read several discussions of people asking about it, only to be met with criticism and mockery. My husband and I discussed that this would be the best option, but I was open to an opinion from my doctor. At my annual this March, I told her everything and brought as much documentation with me as I could. To my utter shock, she agreed!
So, April the 6th I began my tapering journey. My doctor and I discussed the plan and it is as follows: for two months I will take 3/4 of all pills, two months of 1/2, and two months of 1/4. I was not thrilled with the idea of it taking 6 months, but if it keeps me sane and confident...so be it. I am now a month in from taking 3/4 of a birth control pill every day. The first week I had quite a bit of irritability and throughout the month, sporadic headaches, but nothing that I couldn't manage. And my period? Right on time and less painful. I'm excited to see how this goes and how my body will react. I am aware that many claim this method as "unnecessary" and "confusing" to the body, but taking away a medication that my body now relies on after 18 years is much more unnecessary and confusing. Here's to hoping I can cut the ties of birth control once and for all!