Fertility Charting and Hormonal Birth Control: What Happens When You Stop
Fertility charting and hormonal birth control are two common methods used for family planning and contraception. While both have their own benefits and drawbacks, many women may choose to stop using hormonal birth control and switch to fertility charting for various reasons. But what happens when you stop taking hormonal birth control and start fertility charting? In this blog post, we will explore the effects of stopping hormonal birth control, how fertility charting works, and the potential benefits and challenges of switching to fertility charting.
Effects of Stopping Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control methods, such as the pill, patch, or shot, work by suppressing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. When a woman stops taking hormonal birth control, her body needs time to adjust to the change in hormone levels. This can result in various side effects, including irregular periods, acne, mood swings, and changes in libido.
Irregular Periods
Irregular periods are a common side effect of stopping hormonal birth control. This is because the body needs time to regulate its natural hormone production, which can take a few months. During this time, a woman may experience longer or shorter cycles, heavier or lighter periods, or even skip periods altogether.
Acne
Hormonal birth control can help control acne by reducing the production of sebum, the oily substance that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. When a woman stops using hormonal birth control, her body may produce more sebum, resulting in an increase in acne. This is especially common for women who were using hormonal birth control to treat acne.
Mood Swings
Hormonal birth control can affect a woman’s mood by altering hormone levels in the body. When a woman stops using hormonal birth control, she may experience mood swings as her body adjusts to the changes in hormone levels. This can manifest as irritability, anxiety, or even depression.
Changes in Libido
Hormonal birth control can also affect a woman’s sex drive. Some women may experience a decrease in libido while on hormonal birth control, while others may experience an increase. When a woman stops using hormonal birth control, her libido may change again as her body adjusts to the natural hormone levels.

Fertility Charting and Hormonal Birth Control: What Happens When You Stop
How Fertility Charting Works
Fertility charting, also known as natural family planning or the fertility awareness method, involves tracking and recording various fertility signs to determine when a woman is most fertile. These signs include basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and changes in the cervix.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
BBT refers to the body’s resting temperature, which can indicate ovulation. Before ovulation, a woman’s BBT is lower, and it rises after ovulation due to the increase in progesterone. By tracking BBT daily and charting it, a woman can determine when she is most fertile and avoid unprotected sex during that time.
Cervical Mucus
Cervical mucus is a natural fluid produced by the cervix that helps sperm travel to the egg. The consistency and amount of cervical mucus change throughout a woman’s cycle, with the most fertile mucus being clear, slippery, and stretchy. By tracking these changes, a woman can determine when she is most fertile.
Changes in the Cervix
The cervix also goes through changes during a woman’s cycle that can indicate fertility. Before ovulation, the cervix is high, soft, and open to allow sperm to enter. After ovulation, the cervix becomes lower, firmer, and closed. By checking the position and texture of the cervix, a woman can determine her fertile window.
Benefits and Challenges of Switching to Fertility Charting
One of the main benefits of switching to fertility charting is that it is a natural and non-hormonal method of family planning. It can also be used to track ovulation for couples trying to conceive. Additionally, it allows women to become more in tune with their bodies and understand their menstrual cycles better.
However, fertility charting also has its challenges. It requires a significant amount of dedication and consistency, as the accuracy of the method relies on accurately tracking and recording fertility signs. It also requires abstinence or the use of barrier methods during the fertile window, which may not be suitable for all couples.
Summary:
Fertility charting and hormonal birth control are two common methods used for family planning and contraception. When a woman stops using hormonal birth control and starts fertility charting, she may experience side effects such as irregular periods, acne, mood swings, and changes in libido. Fertility charting works by tracking and recording fertility signs, including BBT, cervical mucus, and changes in the cervix. While switching to fertility charting has its benefits, such as being a natural and non-hormonal method, it also has its challenges, including the need for dedication and consistency.








