I finally got off birth control pills and had my first natural period in seven years. I began taking it as a teen when I was diagnosed with endometriosis, but after looking into alternative natural therapies for that illness, I decided I want to experience life without the pill. So far I have noticed:
-a heavier period with more painful cramps in the first two days, but exercise and herbal teas were MUCH more effective, when previously I would just deal with constant, low-grade pain no matter what remedies I tried
-clearer skin, less bloating
-almost no PMS symptoms (I used to constantly crave chocolate and cry a lot in the week before my period)
-more energy but this could be psychological or related to the final, best side effect:
-far less anxiety--taking the pill used to make me very anxious as I would constantly worry that I would forget, occasionally lose them or forget them at home, and just overall I feel my general anxious state settling into a new calmness. [[this could also be related to meditating more often and being out of school as well, but I definitely think not having to think about the pill or worry about its contents has helped]]
Also, a friend of mine directed me to this awesome knowledge share run by the amazing La Loba Loca which I hope to join in. Obviously, everyone's experiences with hormonal contraceptives and natural methods will be different but I just wanted to share my experience, because so many women in my life have been on birth control for decades simply for acne, heavy bleeding, etc as teens and it doesn't have to be that way if you don't want it!
