After taking my last birth control pill, I googled all the “what to do when…” options possible— and NOTHING. Crickets on the world wide web. I found “what to expect” and “how to safely stop”, but no guidance on how to prepare for feeling like you’re twelve again and anxiously anticipating that kind-of-first period. Excitement, fear, confusion, HORMONES, researching, life, [MORE] HORMONES. The lack of information was not appreciated amidst an already *challenging* time in life.
Oh, and did I mention we got a new pup in that same week!? (Insert tears here, there, and everywhere.)
As someone who hasn’t had a period in over 5 years, I feel inadequate to even discuss this topic. I’ve seen the menstrual cycle shift to a subject of empowerment and deep self-awareness. I’ve watched multiple new environmentally friendly and toxin-free period products enter the market, yet here I am trying to figure out if I’m still slick enough to hide tampons up my shirt sleeve.
I chose birth control as a way to stop my period after laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriosis. It was a decision mainly made for fear of pain, partially out of it just not being the right time to get pregnant (about to get divorced is NOT the ideal time to get pregnant), and ultimately because it’s what my doctor recommended.
But 5 years later, I realize there are better ways to manage endometriosis, and you’re welcome to follow along one post at a time on the Make + Manifest blog.
So here I am, navigating the (unknown number of) weeks until my “first” period. My boobs are sore, I’m gaining weight, and potty-training a rescue pup. Despite ~life~, these five preparatory tasks have made all the difference, and I feel as ready as I can be.
PURCHASED A MENSTRUAL CUP
There are WAY more options available for periods than there were 5 years ago, and the cup just seems too good not to try. It fits my toxin-free requirement, is budget-friendly, and I love the idea of not producing so much less waste by not throwing away pads or tampons every month. I went with the Me Luna Cup because…you guys!…it’s customizable. I’m talking size, color, handle, sport mode, etc. YES. PLEASE. Something with this many pros is worth a try. (Update: I’ve been using this cup for about a year now and stilllllllll LOVE IT! Click here to see my honest review.)
DOWNLOADED A PERIOD TRACKER APP
And speaking of more options…holy smokes. So many options! I ended up going with the Clue Period Tracker and so far I’m really enjoying it. You can input your mood, symptoms, activity level, sleep, sexual activity, discharge, and temperature- all the things I wanted to keep track of, especially since I know my body is going to be adjusting over the next few months.
RECORD MY TEMPERATURE EVERY MORNING
In the days before ovulation, a woman’s basal body temperature is typically below 97.5 deg F, then rises above 97.5 deg F during ovulation. Knowing that my cycle may not be predictable by simply counting days, I want a way to follow my body as reliably as possible, especially in a time of so much change. So every morning, before getting out of bed, I take my temperature and record it in the Clue app. Not only is it easy peasy, but I feel I’m starting every day with a step that puts my health first.
FOLLOW “MENSTRUAL HEALTH” ACCOUNTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Girl power, period empowerment, cycle awareness, latest research…I want all of it. @menstruationquen, @moon.daughters, @red.school, and @moonli.x are by far my favorites and I find myself scrolling over to their pages for advice daily. And if social media isn’t your thing, you can find allllllllll my favorite hormone, endo, and menstruation resources right here on the Make + Manifest blog.
TELL ~EVERYONE~ I GOT OFF BIRTH CONTROL
Yes…everyone. Family, coworkers, friends, even my patients. Maybe TMI, but I really don’t believe there’s such a thing when it comes to women’s health. And my need for support, grace, encouragement, and patience at this time in life far exceeds my fear of over-sharing. I know that this transition is going to be both rough and beautiful, sometimes alternating by the hour, and I need my tribe to be in the know so that we’re all set up for success.
My life sans birth control is already looking a little different, and definitely feeling a little different…but I’m here for it. Making these conscious steps to ensure this change is as smooth as possible has been inspiring, calming, and even fun. There are so many reasons I recommend women consider stopping birth control (to be addressed on the M+M blog in the future), and my hope is that this post makes the thought of taking the leap a little less intimidating.
-Amanda
Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
