Your Body's Response When You Stop Birth Control

Everyone knows that starting a new birth control may come with some side effects, often temporary, but a reality for some women. But what happens when you stop taking birth control? Are you even the same person? Does everything fall apart? Well…not exactly. Let’s not freak out just yet. First, we should understand why someone might choose to stop their birth control.

Women decide to stop taking birth control for a variety of reasons, including the desire to conceive, potentially adverse health risks, or side effects. What happens after you stop taking birth control depends a great deal on exactly what category of birth control you were on. Typical side effects can include…

Minor weight loss (usually water weight)
Improved libido
Mood swings
Deflated breasts
Increased vaginal discharge
Worsening menstrual cramps
Mittelschmerz (pain during ovulation)
Heightened cramping/bleeding during menstruation

Okay, so not all ideal, but likely manageable.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s cycle and circumstances are different. Some people claim they gained mental clarity when they stopped birth control. At the same time, others are convinced their ovaries tried to kill them. The VITAL thing to remember is that you can become pregnant and very quickly in some cases. Although the following timeframes are averages, below are some timelines of how quickly your normal cycle can return as well as your ability to get pregnant.

Combined Pill: 1-3 months
Progestin-only pill: Possibly days or weeks
IUD: Immediately after removal
Implant: Immediately after removal
Patch: You may begin ovulating 1-3 months after removal
Ring: 1-3 months after removal
Injection (Depo): May take longer, up to 18 months, to begin ovulating again

It might surprise you to hear that you can technically become pregnant before you even get a period after stopping birth control. Say whaaaaat? Yup, you heard right. You. Can. Get. Pregnant. Before. Your. Period. But how? Wellllll….if you started ovulating right after you stopped and had unprotected sex, you can get pregnant. So, you should probably get a pregnancy test just to be on the safe side. Speaking of safety, let’s clear up another misconception. Many women fear a miscarriage following cessation of birth control, but there is no scientific research to back this claim up. It is entirely SAFE to conceive after stopping birth control.

Stopping your birth control might not be the end of the world, but it can be scary. Just remember, you are the same person. You might have a couple of hormonal months where your body is trying to adjust to the changes, so give yourself and others grace. Lastly, fully understand that if you stop using birth control and you’re not trying to get pregnant; you MUST plan, pay attention, and prepare to avoid unplanned pregnancies.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/stopping-birth-control-may-lower-vitamin-d#2

https://www.webmd.com/baby/get-pregnant-after-birth-control#1