You might have felt a few changes when you started taking birth control, like nausea or tender breasts. So it makes sense that you may feel different again when you stop taking them.
Any type of hormone-based birth control can change how you feel, whether it’s pills, the patch, a vaginal ring (Annovera, NuvaRing), hormonal IUDs (Kyleena, Liletta, Mirena, Skyla), injections (Depo-Provera), or an implanted rod (Nexplanon).
Why Would You Consider Stopping Birth Control?
There are many reasons you might consider stopping your birth control.
You’re in charge of your fertility. Sometimes, you may wish or need to get off your current contraceptives for health or personal reasons. Stopping birth control is your choice, and you don't need a reason.
You have side effects. Hormonal birth control can affect everyone differently. Some women have mood swings, weight changes, headaches, or nausea. Ask your doctor if switching to another method may ease your side effects.
You want to have a baby. Quitting your birth control is the first step to jump-start your family planning. You can stop taking birth control pills anytime or visit your doctor to remove your implant or device. They also can help you with a pregnancy plan.
You want to try a different type. Maybe you’re having side effects from your current birth control method. Your doctor might suggest you try a different method that might not cause those effects. Or if you’re having trouble remembering to take your pill, you might decide to switch to an implant device.
You have health concerns. Hormonal birth control sometimes doesn’t mix well with your other medications. Birth control pills, specifically, raise your chances for heart problems or breast and cervical cancer.
You don’t have sex often. It takes effort to remember to take your pill every day or to visit your health care provider regularly for new prescriptions or shots. If you’re not very sexually active, that can be too much of a hassle. You might find it more convenient if you rely on a barrier method like a condom or a cervical cap with spermicide each time you have intercourse.
Side Effects of Stopping Birth Control
The side effects of stopping birth control will depend on how long you used them, the dosage, any symptoms you had before starting birth control, and more. Here are some things that could happen, but your doctor will be able to give you a better idea of what you can expect.
You may get pregnant after getting off birth control
Many women think it takes a long time to conceive after they stop the pill, but research shows pregnancy rates are about the same as those for women who had used barrier methods (like condoms). Up to 85% of former pill users get pregnant within a year.
You may have irregular periods after stopping birth control
Even if your periods were like clockwork before you started birth control, it might take several months for them to straighten out after you stop. And if you had irregular periods, you’ll probably be off-kilter again -- the reliable schedule you enjoyed (or the long breaks between periods) came from the hormones in the pill. If your periods stopped altogether, it may take a few months for them to start up again.
You may have heavier periods and intense cramps after going off birth control
Some women and people assigned female at birth will have heavier periods and more cramping after stopping birth control. And if you had lots of bleeding and pain during your periods before you started birth control, it’s likely your heavy flow and cramps will return.
Your PMS may be back after quitting birth control
The pill, especially some formulas, helps your body level out the hormonal chaos that can make you feel depressed, anxious, and irritable. Without that balancing, you may start feeling moody again.
You may lose weight after coming off birth control
Women who used a progestin-only type (like injections, hormonal IUDs, or certain pills) may have gained a few pounds, so the scale might go down when they stop using them. If you want to lose weight, though, you’ll probably get more results from a better diet and more exercise than from going off your birth control.
Your acne may be back after getting off birth control
The pill can correct the hormone imbalance that makes your skin break out. But the fix is temporary: Once you stop the birth control, changes in your hormones might cause acne to come back.
You may have changes in sex drive after going off birth control
Hormonal birth control can affect your sex drive, and many people who take it report a decrease in sexual desire. If that's your experience, then you might have increased sex drive when you stop your birth control.
Your headaches may disappear -- or come back -- after quitting birth control
Some people find they get headaches from hormonal birth control, and others find it lessens their headaches. If birth control tended to give you headaches, you’re likely to get relief when you stop taking it. And if you got relief from it, your headaches might return.
Your breast tenderness may improve after stopping birth control
Birth control pills often cause breast tenderness – especially combination pills containing estrogen and progesterone. This will go away once you stop taking the pill.
How to Manage Birth Control Withdrawal Symptoms
Some changes after getting off birth control are temporary, as your body stops relying on the hormones you were taking. You may experience bleeding soon after you stop taking birth control or have irregular periods for the first few months. Stay prepared for your period to manage this transition.
Changes to your mood and bloating can happen when you stop taking certain types of birth control. However, these symptoms usually go away quickly.
Birth control helps keep your estrogen levels more even. When you stop taking birth control, you may have drops in estrogen levels right before your period. That can cause headaches. Taking pain medication, staying hydrated, and limiting stress can help you manage these headaches.
Overall self-care can help you manage any withdrawal symptoms or changes you experience when you stop birth control. Get regular exercise, keep up with a healthy diet, and keep your stress in check.
How to Stop Taking Birth Control
It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before you stop taking any type of birth control. You can get advice, learn about possible side effects, understand how quickly you might be able to get pregnant, and your options if you don't want to conceive. Here are specifics on how to stop various types of birth control.
The pill. You can stop the pill on your own any time -- no need to finish your pack. Your menstrual cycle may get thrown off, but your period should come back within 3 months.
The minipill. This type contains only progestin instead of the usual estrogen and progestin. You can quit taking it whenever you want. It works slightly less well than the combination pill to prevent pregnancies. So you'll need another form of protection if you want to avoid getting pregnant.
Implants. This toothpick-sized tube is a long-acting contraceptive. It usually lasts for 3 years. You can have it removed by a doctor or a nurse anytime. Your fertility should return quickly.
Patches. These adhesive squares stick to your skin and release estrogen and progestin. If you want to stop using them, just peel the patch off yourself. To avoid getting pregnant, use another birth control method right away.
IUD. An intrauterine device, or IUD, is put into your uterus through your vagina. It can keep you from getting pregnant for many years. A doctor or a nurse can remove it in a few minutes.
Diaphragm. This dome-shaped cup physically blocks sperm from entering your womb. You insert it every time you have sex until you no longer wish to use it. But even if you want to stop using a diaphragm for birth control, leave yours in for at least 6 hours after you last have intercourse using it.
Vaginal ring. You put this flexible plastic into your vagina, much like a tampon. It has the same two hormones as the pill. You usually leave it in for 3 weeks, then take it out for a week. You can stop using the ring at any point in your menstrual cycle. Use another form of birth control right away if you're not planning to get pregnant.
Birth control shot. You have to get this shot about every 3 months from your doctor. To stop this kind of birth control, you can simply quit taking the shot. Ask your doctor if you need a backup contraceptive. You may be covered for a while since the effects of the shot can last up to 9 months.
Takeaways
If you’ve decided to get off of birth control, you can stop taking it at any time. On average, your body returns to what’s normal for you after about 3 months. You might have some side effects as your body adjusts to changes in your hormone levels. Remember that birth control may have been masking some symptoms, such as headaches, acne, or heavy periods, and those can return when you stop taking it.
Reach out to your doctor for any questions or concerns you have before or after you stop taking birth control.
Stopping Birth Control FAQs
How do I stop taking birth control pills safely?
You can safely stop taking birth control at any time. For implanted devices, you will need to see your doctor for removal. To try to minimize changes to your cycle, you can finish your current pill pack or wait until the end of your current menstrual cycle to stop taking hormones.
How long does birth control stay in your system after stopping?
Most forms of birth control are out of your system quickly – a few days to a week. The Depo-Provera shot is designed to last for 3 months. It can take about that long for the shot to completely leave your system. It can take longer for your fertility to come back after taking the shot than it will with other birth control methods.
Will I lose weight if I stop using birth control?
You might lose a small amount of weight if you come off birth control, but likely not. You may lose some retained water, which could lead to a pound or two of weight loss when you stop birth control. Your best bet is to exercise and eat healthy to lose weight.
What can I expect when I come off the pill?
When you stop taking the pill and most forms of birth control, you can expect your period to return to normal within a few months. You may have some symptoms as your body adjusts to different hormone levels.
