If you’re one of the 65% of women between the ages of 18 and 49 who use some form of contraception, there’s a chance you’ll need to stop using your birth control at some point[1]Contraceptive Use in the United States by Demographic. Guttmacher Institute. Accessed 4/7/2022.. . There’s many reasons people stop using birth control, including family planning and being unhappy with side effects. Show
Depending on what type of contraception you’re quitting, there’s a slight difference in the symptoms of getting off birth control. Here’s your full guide on what to expect when getting off birth control, including side effects and how soon you could possibly get pregnant after you stop taking it. Find An OB/GYN - Gynecologists Near You Sesame Care helps you find and book top-rated doctors, on demand. Book a doctor appointment, test, lab or procedure in minutes. Check out the obstetricians and gynecologists in your area. There are several reasons why you may consider quitting
birth control, from trying to get pregnant to wanting to try a different form of contraception. Trying for pregnancy is one of the most common reasons to get off birth control. There’s a chance you could get pregnant right after you finish your pill pack or remove your intrauterine device (IUD) or other form of birth control, says Banafsheh Kashani, M.D., an OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist in Laguna Hills, California. But
generally, Dr. Kashani recommends starting to try to conceive after about two to three months of stopping contraception. “This is to allow your body to resume its normal (or ovulatory) menstrual cycles, and allows you time to take prenatal vitamins, stop smoking, minimize drinking and caffeine and make healthy lifestyle choices,” says Dr. Kashani. A 2018 study found that about
83% of people are able to get pregnant within the first 12 months of discontinuing birth control methods[2]Girum T, Wazie A. Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine. 2018; 3:9. . But don’t worry if that’s not reflective of your experience—other studies have shown that 56% of people might conceive within six cycles of stopping, and 77% might conceive within 12
cycles[3]Yland J J, Bresnick K A, Hatch E E, Wesselink A K, Mikkelsen E M, Rothman K J et al.
Pregravid contraceptive use and fecundability: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2020; 371. . Studies have also shown that you might return to your regular menstrual cycle and ovulation more quickly if you get off oral contraceptives or remove an IUD rather than stop an injectable form of contraception, for example, since those hormones from the injection are designed to stay in your system for up
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Ritual Essential Duo Pregnancy Cost $60 includes prenatal multivitamin bottle and pregnancy and postpartum protein bag Features Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, Vegan-friendly, Non-GMO (Note: Product details and prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.) You’re Not Happy With the Side EffectsIf you’ve been experiencing certain negative side effects from your birth control method, you might be interested in getting off your current birth control method and switching to another, or stopping birth control altogether. In a small study, about 23% of people reported experiencing side effects with hormonal birth control pills or an IUD—and that it was related to their decision to stop birth control or switch methods. Some normal birth control side effects include irregular bleeding or headaches, according to the Office on Women’s Health, but some rare ones might be dangerous for your health. “One example of a side effect that would be a red flag to stop immediately can be chest pain or shortness of breath,” says Amy Roskin, M.D., an OB-GYN and chief medical officer of Favor, a birth control and personal care delivery service. “This might indicate a blood clot in the lung, which can be a serious side effect of estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives.” You Want to Try a Different Kind of Birth ControlNot everyone who stops taking one form of birth control ends contraceptive use altogether. “Many people might be interested in trying a new form of birth control that better fits their lifestyle,” says Dr. Roskin. You also have the option of pausing birth control, if you’re not planning to be sexually active, or using other methods (such as barrier methods) of contraception while you figure out what’s best for you. “If someone is not sexually active and using birth control to manage other hormonally-related health conditions, such as PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome] or acne, they may choose to pause birth control before eventually exploring other contraceptive options,” she adds. How to Get Off Birth ControlExactly how you’ll get off birth control will depend on the type you’re taking. In general, it’s slightly easier to get back to your regular cycle if you don’t quit birth control right in the middle of a cycle, both Dr. Kashani and Dr. Roskin emphasize. Stopping the Hormonal Birth Control Pill, Ring or PatchMedically, you don’t technically need to continue taking your hormonal birth control pills for the full 28-day cycle, but finishing out the pack could help you to time and track your period more easily, Dr. Roskin says. “For example, stopping your birth control pills in the middle of the pack may cause spotting or an unexpected period, whereas waiting until you finish your pack will ensure you know when your period is arriving,” says Dr. Roskin. The same goes for a hormonal birth control patch or ring: You can technically stop whenever you like, according to Dr. Kashani. “You do not need to place one patch weekly for three weeks before stopping. Likewise, for the hormonal ring, you do not need to wait a full three weeks [out of the month] before taking it out,” says Dr. Kashani. If you do stick to that birth control cycle of wearing the patch or ring for three weeks out of the month before taking it out, you’ll know more clearly when to expect your next period, but the timing is really up to you. Stopping Use of an IUDThe process of stopping an IUD as birth control is a little less in your control. You will have to schedule an appointment for an IUD removal procedure with your OB-GYN or other health care provider. It’s not a major procedure, though, according to Dr. Roskin. “Beyond some mild spotting and temporary cramps, there should be minimal discomfort as a result of the procedure,” she says. Stopping Depo-Provera ShotsDiscontinuing hormonal birth control shots involves simply not going back for your next shot. However, if you do want to get pregnant, you should stop this method several months before trying to conceive, says Dr. Kashani, since you’ve been receiving the progesterone injection every three months. “It can take several months [as much as 18 months] after the last injection to start ovulating again, which can delay the chance of getting pregnant,” she adds. You should speak with your OB-GYN a few months in advance of planning to be pregnant to discuss stopping the injections. It’s important to note that you can get pregnant in the cycle immediately after stopping birth control pills, says Dr. Kashani, so be sure to keep pregnancy tests on hand. It may take longer than that for you to return to ovulating regularly, though, with other forms of birth control. Once you stop taking birth control, and theoretically start ovulating again, it’s best to track everything related to your cycles, either with a journal or a cycle tracking app, according to Dr. Kashani. “It’s important to make note of the first day of your period every month, how many days you bleed and whether or not you have any spotting between periods,” says Dr. Kashani. “You should see if you are getting a cycle every 21 to 35 days, and if your bleeding is any different compared to being on pills.” Your period might change after getting off birth control, too. It’s normal to expect a slightly heavier flow and a little bit more cramping, says Dr. Kashani. If you experience severe cramps or heavy bleeding, bring these concerns to your doctor. It’s also possible that your sex drive could be higher after getting off hormonal birth control—this is because you’re returning to your body’s natural level of reproductive hormones, adds Dr. Roskin. Side Effects of Getting Off Birth ControlSide effects might differ if you’re stopping hormonal birth control as opposed to non-hormonal birth control. “This is due to the fact that stopping any form of hormonal birth control removes external sources of progesterone and estrogen in the body,” says Dr. Roskin. “Many of the PMS [premenstrual syndrome] symptoms that hormonal birth control can help mitigate, such as cramps and acne, may reappear.” Stopping non-hormonal birth control, like the removal of a copper IUD, may not cause as many side effects as getting off a hormonal form of birth control, like an oral contraceptive pill or hormonal birth control ring would. “This is due to the fact that the body does not have to readjust to changes in hormones as a result of its removal,” says Dr. Roskin. An IUD removal procedure might cause some side effects, including bleeding or cramping, but that’ll be more immediate after the removal, she adds. Other side effects of getting off birth control, according to Dr. Roskin, might include:
When to See a DoctorKeep tracking your menstrual cycle for a few months after you discontinue birth control, to make sure it seems to be back to its regular length, Dr. Kashani advises. If it’s been two or three months since getting off birth control and you haven’t had a period, check in with your doctor, she says. “This could indicate a lack of ovulation, which would require a work-up,” Dr. Kashani explains. Also, contact your doctor if you’re experiencing irregular cycles, very heavy flow, bleeding in between periods or severe pain with your periods. If you are starting to try to get pregnant, you may want to set up a visit with your doctor if you have certain conditions, says Dr. Kashani. “Some people may want to seek advice from their OB-GYN or a fertility specialist if they have a history of irregular periods, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, prior ovarian or uterine surgery or if their partner has a known history of possible low sperm counts,” she explains. If that’s you, it’s worth seeing your doctor immediately after getting off birth control to get the pre-conception process started. What are the side effects of stopping birth control?Side effects of stopping birth control. changes in the menstrual cycle.. heavier periods.. cramping during ovulation.. premenstrual syndrome (PMS). changes in mood.. weight changes.. unwanted hair growth.. How long do birth control side effects last after stopping?These side effects might have included headaches, water retention, and breakthrough bleeding. Now that you're not taking the pill, you may have another brief period of dealing with fluctuating side effects. Give your body three to four months to return to normal after you stop your birth control.
What happens if you stop taking birth control cold turkey?After you stop taking birth control, your body and menstrual cycle will need some time to adjust, just like they did when you started the pill. You might notice some spotting or bleeding between your periods, and your periods may be irregular for a few months.
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Side effects of stopping birth control pill
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