I'm consider discontinuing taking my oral contraceptive. I've been taking one since I was 16. I didn't start running until after that. If I stop taking it will I get faster?
I'm consider discontinuing taking my oral contraceptive. I've been taking one since I was 16. I didn't start running until after that. If I stop taking it will I get faster?
Yes, about 15 sec / mile on average. Don't tell your man (men?) though, they'll tell you that it makes you run FASTER.
I actually usually use a condom. I started the pill because my cycles were awful and I had cramps so painful that I couldn't function when they happened. But I was also like 20 pounds heavier at the time. I think with less body fat and all of the running I'm doing, terrible cycles probably won't be an issue. I am active now, but the pill totally took away my sex drive so that's kind of a Catch 22.
Likely some better muscle recovery and weight loss. Plus, you could then abortion dope:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_doping
But seriously, yes it is possible.
I'm actually seriously considering this (not abortion doping, just not taking the pill anymore) but I'm kind of terrified because it's such a major change. I don't want to do it mid-season. If there are any other women on this site who happen to read this who have tried this let me know how it went.
My sister stopped the pill mid season and did much better. However, she had been running for years prior to starting the pill. When she started the pill she had gained weight and it messed with her moods.
One thing to note whether you stop during the season or not, is that the pill and depo are some pretty strong stuff. Depo provera especially is not good for young women because it causes issues with bone density. One study showed that adolescents did not regain the bone mass lost even 5 years after stopping Depo.
google works wrote:
My sister stopped the pill mid season and did much better. However, she had been running for years prior to starting the pill. When she started the pill she had gained weight and it messed with her moods.
One thing to note whether you stop during the season or not, is that the pill and depo are some pretty strong stuff. Depo provera especially is not good for young women because it causes issues with bone density. One study showed that adolescents did not regain the bone mass lost even 5 years after stopping Depo.
Yeah I was only on Depo for a year. It was five years ago. I had osteopenia and got a stress fracture so I had to switch back to pills with estrogen in them. My bone density returned back to normal within a year after that though.
My pill is LoSeasonique. I have no idea if I gained weight from birth control because I lost a ton of weight from other life changes (mainly running) so I can't control for those. However I run and strength train a lot and eat well and I'm still 20% body fat. It would be nice if going off the pill changed my body composition a little.
Mostly I want my libido back since it is making my relationship really awkward, and if that's going to have positive effects on my running then I'm all for it, but if it's going to screw things up at all then I'm terrified. I don't know when to try this if I do try it.
If you get pregnant you will run slower.
some running chick wrote:
Mostly I want my libido back since it is making my relationship really awkward.....
ok, now we're onto a topic the letsrun crowd will be interested in.
So when did your lust take a dive? You don't associate with upping your mileage do you (that could be) ?
Could you just be bored with the guy? Be honest: if you were single tomorrow (and you weren't hurt by the break-up, it was mutual), and the hottest guy you know came a callin'.....would that missing libido be back? If so, then it's not the pill, or the running, but you and/or your guy that is the issue.
No, I feel like I'm asexual right now. I have no desire to get physical with anyone at all. I also don't respond physically.
some running chick wrote:
No, I feel like I'm asexual right now. I have no desire to get physical with anyone at all. I also don't respond physically.
Blame your parents. Everything is the parents' fault.
You might find this interesting:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=birth-control-pills-affect-womens-taste
Because BC mimics pregnancy, which changes the type of person you find attractive, if you met your boyfriend while on BC you might suddenly find him repulsive when you quit.
Ho Hum wrote:
Because BC mimics pregnancy, which changes the type of person you find attractive, if you met your boyfriend while on BC you might suddenly find him repulsive when you quit.
She will inevitably find him repulsive, but BC will not precipitate that turn of events.
Unless you get pregnant! ;-)
some running chick wrote:
No, I feel like I'm asexual right now. I have no desire to get physical with anyone at all. I also don't respond physically.
well, that may indeed be the case, but it also true that women become more easily bored in monogamous relationships than do men. They often get their "groove back" when single, and meeting new men and being chased after (ah....the thrill of the chase)
Try talking to your doctor about getting an IUD- specifically Mirena. It has a very low dose of hormones that don't enter the blood stream, they remain in the uterus.
I don't know if it will have any affect on your running, but I've found it's easier to maintain my weight since getting off of the pill. My libido is also back to normal.
Everyone in the ivy league has heard the story how the former Penn women's coach costanza (sp?) insisted the girls not be on the pill. Threatened to kick them off the team.
It's very simple. Pill = weight gain = less good running.
Your Next Bold Move wrote:
Try talking to your doctor about getting an IUD- specifically Mirena. It has a very low dose of hormones that don't enter the blood stream, they remain in the uterus.
I don't know if it will have any affect on your running, but I've found it's easier to maintain my weight since getting off of the pill. My libido is also back to normal.
Wait so you experienced loss of libido on the pill that was alleviated by switching to Mirena? I know another female runner who is on Mirena and loves it. I knew it was lower dose but I had no idea it was confined to the uterus. That's awesome. I will bring it up to my gynecologist.
How long did it take you to get your libido back, and did you experienced any problems after you get the IUD? I heard some people bleed after they get it, so I'm wondering if I should wait until after my next couple of meets.
Most definitely not because you'll be with child and carrying a 9lb lug around will definitely slow you down.
If this discussion is still open, I suggest the OP read this article about a nordic ski/running athlete. Though, the article is from a nordic ski site, the same principles apply.