Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy to StopSafetySide EffectsManagementWhen to Speak with Your Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why to Stop
Safety
Side Effects
Management
When to Speak with Your Healthcare Provider
If you’re thinking about stoppinghormonal birth control, you should know that you can quit safely at any time. With other methods, primarily long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) like anintrauterine device(IUD), it may take longer because they require help from a healthcare provider.
You should also expect a return of some menstrual symptoms, such as cramping. If you had lighter periods while using birth control, you’ll likely see a return to heavier menstrual bleeding. Acne that cleared up may return.
This article offers information to help you decide if you should stop taking birth control and what to expect. Read on to learn about the process and potential side effects of stopping birth control.
Patcharin Simalhek / EyeEm / Getty Images
Why Would I Stop Taking Hormonal Birth Control?
There are many reasons why a person might discontinue the use of hormonal birth control.For example, you may experience side effects including:
Birth control can also cause changes in the menstrual cycle, mood, and sexual desire (libido). Some side effects may be more tolerable than others.
For those who can’t tolerate the side effects of a given method, they may decide to stop using it. Others simply want to change their birth control method or stop taking it altogether in order to become pregnant.
Breast Pain and Your Menstrual Period: Is It Normal?
Stopping Hormonal Birth Control Safely
With the exception of the birth control shot (Depo-Provera), all other methods of hormonal birth control can be discontinued at any time. Stopping a given method may or may not require the help and guidance of a healthcare provider.
You may want to make your healthcare provider aware that you are discontinuing a birth control method so that you can discuss your contraception goals and receive relevant guidance.
What Side Effects to Expect
There may be short-lived side effects, such as hair loss, when stopping the use of hormonal birth control as your body readjusts. These effects are sometimes calledpost-birth control syndrome. However, it is more likely that you will experience your menstrual cycle and related symptoms in the way you did before taking hormonal birth control.
For example, if you had painful menstrual cramping before you took hormonal contraception, that same amount of pain may return. Similarly, if you had more acne,menstrual migraines, heavier menstrual bleeding, or irregular cycles before taking birth control, you may experience these again when you stop taking it.
You may also experience a delay in the arrival of your next period depending on when you stop during your cycle.
Another concern some people have is how quickly they may be able to become pregnant after stopping hormonal birth control. With most methods, the ability to conceive returns very quickly after discontinuing. Most people will have their periods and the ability to conceive return 90 days after they stop taking the pill.
For both the copper and hormonal IUD, this usually occurs within 30 days. The contraceptive shots are the exception. While it will vary from person to person, people who have used this method may have a delay in their ability to get pregnant lasting up to 10 months after their last injection.
When Does Fertility Return After Stopping Birth Control?
Ways to Manage Symptoms
For symptoms, you can consider the following options:
Birth Control for Nonhormonal UseIf you used hormonal birth control for its non-contraceptive benefits (for example, to reduce menstrual cramps and acne, lighten bleeding, or regulate your menstrual cycle), consider speaking with your healthcare provider about other ways to address these concerns. This is especially important if you’ve been unsuccessful at managing them in the past.
Birth Control for Nonhormonal Use
If you used hormonal birth control for its non-contraceptive benefits (for example, to reduce menstrual cramps and acne, lighten bleeding, or regulate your menstrual cycle), consider speaking with your healthcare provider about other ways to address these concerns. This is especially important if you’ve been unsuccessful at managing them in the past.
If you’re concerned about stopping the use of hormonal contraception, it’s wise to talk with your healthcare provider. They can advise you based on your personal health history and what your experience may be like without the hormones in your body. If you wish to try a different type of birth control, your healthcare provider will be able to counsel you as well.
If the contraceptive method used stopped monthly bleeding completely, it will typically return in a short time. For example, most people who use birth control pills will resume their periods and the ability to conceive within 90 days after they stop taking the pill.Talk to your provider if you don’t experience a return of your menstrual period.
Previous use of hormonal birth control does not impact your ability to get pregnant.If you are unable to conceive after stopping birth control, you and your provider can work together to determine what might be impacting your fertility.
Birth Control and Dental CarePeople who take birth control may be more likely to experiencedry socketproblems after having a tooth pulled.It’s a painful condition caused when a needed blood clot at the site of the extraction is lost, and bone and nerves are exposed. That said, there’s no medical reason to stop taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal or a similar procedure, but talk to your provider if you have questions.
Birth Control and Dental Care
People who take birth control may be more likely to experiencedry socketproblems after having a tooth pulled.It’s a painful condition caused when a needed blood clot at the site of the extraction is lost, and bone and nerves are exposed. That said, there’s no medical reason to stop taking birth control after wisdom teeth removal or a similar procedure, but talk to your provider if you have questions.
Summary
You can expect side effects that include menstrual headaches and cramping, but they’re likely to be similar to symptoms you had with your period before taking birth control. If you want to become pregnant, it may take longer for fertility to return if you were using contraceptive shots.
Patience is key when managing the use or discontinuation of any hormonal birth control method. Your healthcare provider can be a great partner and help you investigate other contraceptive methods, such as non-hormonal options, or alternative ways to manage your menstrual periods.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?World Health Organization.Causes and consequences of contraceptive discontinuation: evidence from 60 demographic and health surveys.Planned Parenthood.How do you stop taking birth control pills?British Medical Journal.Use of some contraceptives may temporarily delay a woman’s fertility from resuming.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects and disadvantages of of Depo-Provera?Michigan Medicine.Menstrual cycle: dealing with cramps.Tepper DE.Menstrual migraine.Headache. 2014;54(2):403-404. doi:10.1111/head.12279Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome.Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-yMedline Plus.Dry socket.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?World Health Organization.Causes and consequences of contraceptive discontinuation: evidence from 60 demographic and health surveys.Planned Parenthood.How do you stop taking birth control pills?British Medical Journal.Use of some contraceptives may temporarily delay a woman’s fertility from resuming.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects and disadvantages of of Depo-Provera?Michigan Medicine.Menstrual cycle: dealing with cramps.Tepper DE.Menstrual migraine.Headache. 2014;54(2):403-404. doi:10.1111/head.12279Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome.Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-yMedline Plus.Dry socket.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?World Health Organization.Causes and consequences of contraceptive discontinuation: evidence from 60 demographic and health surveys.Planned Parenthood.How do you stop taking birth control pills?British Medical Journal.Use of some contraceptives may temporarily delay a woman’s fertility from resuming.Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects and disadvantages of of Depo-Provera?Michigan Medicine.Menstrual cycle: dealing with cramps.Tepper DE.Menstrual migraine.Headache. 2014;54(2):403-404. doi:10.1111/head.12279Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome.Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-yMedline Plus.Dry socket.
Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects of the birth control pill?
World Health Organization.Causes and consequences of contraceptive discontinuation: evidence from 60 demographic and health surveys.
Planned Parenthood.How do you stop taking birth control pills?
British Medical Journal.Use of some contraceptives may temporarily delay a woman’s fertility from resuming.
Planned Parenthood.What are the side effects and disadvantages of of Depo-Provera?
Michigan Medicine.Menstrual cycle: dealing with cramps.
Tepper DE.Menstrual migraine.Headache. 2014;54(2):403-404. doi:10.1111/head.12279
Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome.
Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-y
Medline Plus.Dry socket.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
