A person can stop taking birth control pills at any point, including during the middle of the pack.

However, coming off birth control pills increases the likelihood of pregnancy in the absence of other birth command methods.

Additionally, birth control pills override the natural menstrual bike. Coming off these pills may, therefore, lead to temporary menstrual bicycle irregularities and other hormone-related symptoms.

Read on to observe out more well-nigh the potential risks and side furnishings of stopping birth control mid pack.

a woman looking out the window as she wonders whether it's a good idea to be stopping a birth control mid pack Share on Pinterest
Hormone-related symptoms are a possible side effect of stopping the nascency control pill.

Nativity control pills comprise hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent ovulation.

Every bit a result, the time of the month that a person stops taking the pills may influence the side effects that they experience.

However, there are no data on the specific risks relating to stopping birth control pills mid pack.

Some full general risks or side effects of coming off the birth control pill include those below.

Pregnancy

Stopping the birth control pill increases a person's likelihood of becoming pregnant. To avoid an unplanned pregnancy, it is necessary to apply an alternative method of nascence control.

Some people may cull to switch to an alternative hormonal contraceptive. In this instance, they should wait for the new contraceptive to take issue before having sex. Alternatively, they tin can immediately switch to using condoms or diaphragms during sexual activity to help forestall pregnancy.

In some cases, a person may be able to start the new contraceptive before stopping the previous one. Doing this protects against pregnancy while giving the new hormones time to have effect. People should talk to a healthcare professional person about the rubber of using ii hormonal contraceptives at the same fourth dimension.

Hormone-related symptoms

Some women may experience short-term or longer-term symptoms as a upshot of stopping the nascence control pill.

Short-term symptoms

Symptoms can occur in the weeks afterwards coming off the pill when the body's natural hormones kick back in. These symptoms tend to be temporary and may include:

  • menstruating earlier or afterwards in the wheel than usual
  • symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such every bit acne, sensitive breasts, or food cravings
  • headaches
  • mood changes
  • depression or anxiety

Longer-term symptoms

Some people may experience longer-term changes in their menstrual cycle after they stop taking the pill.

Without birth control hormones regulating information technology, the menstrual cycle may change. Information technology may become more irregular or start to follow a unlike schedule. Some people may experience heavier or more than painful periods.

Additionally, some individuals use the birth control pill to control certain conditions, such every bit:

  • PMS
  • irregular periods
  • menstrual cramps
  • acne
  • endometriosis
  • polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • fibroids
  • ovarian cysts

The symptoms of these weather condition may return in the absence of the pill.

When a person stops taking the birth control pill, the pill'due south hormones quickly leave the body. Gradually, the torso's natural hormones will resume regulating the menstrual cycle. Virtually people have their outset period about two–4 weeks after coming off the pill. All the same, it can take up to 3 months for the natural menstrual cycle to fully reestablish itself.

In some cases, a hormone dysregulation may develop while a person is using the birth control pill, which will mask the symptoms. Anyone who finds that their cycle has non returned to normal later on a few months should run across a doctor.

Effects on pregnancy take chances

Nascence control pills work past preventing ovulation, which is the process by which the body releases an egg. The pills also thicken the fungus of the cervix. As a outcome, fifty-fifty if ovulation does occur, it is more than hard for sperm to reach the egg.

As nascence control pills suppress ovulation, removing these hormones from the trunk can trigger ovulation. In theory, ovulation could occur straight later coming off the pill. In this case, firsthand pregnancy is a possibility.

The actual timing of ovulation depends on when in the bike a person stops using nascency control pills, too equally their overall fertility.

Furnishings on fertility

A 2018 meta-analysis looked at 22 studies on people'due south fertility afterward stopping the use of nascency control pills. The authors concluded that:

  • nascency control pills do not touch long-term fertility
  • the elapsing of use of birth control pills is not a significant predictor of fertility
  • there is no significant filibuster in the render of fertility afterward stopping the use of nascency control pills

An earlier study investigated the length of time that it took for fertility to return following continuous use of the birth control pill levonorgestrel for a twelvemonth. Of the 187 participants who took part in the written report, 98.nine% began ovulating within xc days of stopping the pill. The average time that it took the participants to render to ovulation was 32 days.

This finding suggests that although some users may experience a delay in fertility later stopping the birth control pill, most volition chop-chop become fertile again.

In a 2nd report investigating fertility following continuous apply of levonorgestrel, 52% of the 21 participants who wanted to become significant did so within three months of stopping this pill. Inside 13 months, 86% became pregnant. These pregnancy rates are similar to those of the general population.

There are several reasons why a person may cull to stop taking birth control pills. These include:

  • switching to some other birth control method
  • concerns about the brusque-term or long-term wellness effects of hormonal nativity control
  • unpleasant side furnishings
  • trying to get significant
  • the cost of birth control

It is safety to finish taking the nativity control pill at any time. Nevertheless, anyone who wishes to switch to an alternative method of contraception should talk to a doctor or sexual health adviser starting time. These professionals will be able to provide data on the diverse options. They may also be able to recommend a nativity control pill with fewer side effects if this is something of business organization.

People can safely stop using oral contraceptives someday they wish. There is no need to wait until a period begins or to seek approval from a physician.

Nonetheless, those who stop taking birth control pills should be aware of the increased likelihood of becoming pregnant. Anyone who does not want to become meaning should use an culling method of contraception.

Although stopping birth control pills is prophylactic, it tin can sometimes result in side effects. However, these are ordinarily short-term.

Individuals with hormone-related conditions may experience the return or worsening of symptoms once they finish taking the birth control pill. They should discuss the risks and culling treatment options with their physician.