Although you can stop taking birth control pills at any time, even in the middle of the pill pack, doing so could throw your cycle off and cause bleeding to start.
People can safely stop using oral contraceptives anytime they wish. There is no need to wait until a period begins or to seek approval from a doctor. However, those who stop taking birth control pills should be aware of the increased likelihood of becoming pregnant.
“If you're on a form of birth control that you control yourself, there's no harm in stopping whenever you want to stop,” Dr. Brant says. Still, she suggests finishing out your current cycle, rather than stopping in the middle of it, because you can usually expect to have your period within a few days of stopping.
Stopping your birth control pills mid-pack can cause symptoms such as irregular periods, spotting, and cramping as your body struggles to fall back to a regular menstrual cycle. These problems are temporary and will not pose any long-term risks to your health.
When people stop using birth control, they may experience side effects, including irregular menstrual cycles, cramping, acne, and weight changes.
For most, the medication should be out of their system within 3 to 7 days. However, it can take a few months before a woman starts to see regular periods. This is due to hormone levels adjusting and ovulation beginning to occur on a predictable cycle.
You may be able to get pregnant within 1-3 months of stopping a combination pill -- meaning those that have estrogen and progestin. But most women can get pregnant within a year. One study even found that women who took the pill for more than 4 or 5 years were more fertile than those who used it for 2 years or less.
There's no “right way” to go off birth control — you can stop taking your pills in the middle of the pack, or finish the pack you're on without starting a new one.
It's not dangerous or harmful to go on and off the pill. But any time there's a change in your hormones, there's a chance of temporary side effects, like changes to your period. These usually go away after a few months, and eventually your body will go back to the way it was before you went on 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.
You will not be protected from pregnancy straight away and will need additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days. If you start the pill after the 5th day of your cycle, make sure you have not put yourself at risk of pregnancy since your last period.
Your periods may be irregular when you first come off the pill, and you should allow up to 3 months for your natural menstrual cycle to fully re-establish itself. This is because the pill contains the hormones that stop the release of an egg (ovulation) each month.
Once you stop taking birth control, you may notice that you drop a pound or two within a few weeks as fluid retention decreases, but it is unlikely that you will lose a substantial amount of weight, if any at all.
You're most fertile at the time of ovulation (when an egg is released from your ovaries), which usually occurs 12 to 14 days before your next period starts. This is the time of the month when you're most likely to get pregnant.
In terms of your overall health, it makes little difference when you stop taking the pill. When you finally do stop the pill, you can expect some bleeding, which may change the rhythm of your menstrual cycle. But you can stop at any time.
Even when taking the pill, if a person has sexual intercourse, there is still a chance of pregnancy. For instance, with the typical use of the combination birth control pill, there is still a 9% chance of pregnancy.
The birth control patch, ring, shot, hormonal IUD, and implant should start working immediately if you start them five days after the start of your period. However, for individuals with a BMI of 30 or greater, it may take about a week for the hormones in your new birth control to be recognized by the body.
You'll be protected from pregnancy after 48 hours (2 days). So use another method of birth control (like condoms) if you have penis-in-vagina sex during the first 48 hours. Slynd (a different type of progestin-only pill) is the exception.
The pill doesn't start working right away. You need to take it for at least a few days before it becomes effective. That's why it's important to use a backup contraceptive, like condoms, when you first start taking it. Talk to your doctor about how long you need to use a backup method.
Be patient as your body adjusts to the new treatment and stay consistent with taking it regularly. Long-term signs that the pill is working might include clearer skin, regular periods, and lighter and less painful periods.
More than 7 pills missed
If you've missed 8 or more pills straight after each other, you will not be protected against pregnancy. If you have had unprotected sex, you may need to do a pregnancy test or take emergency contraception. Contact a sexual health clinic, doctor, nurse or pharmacist urgently.