Coming Off The Pill

It is important to consider the reasons that might cause you to come off the pill. You may be having trouble with taking the pill on time or are confronted with certain side effects. In which case, you may feel more comfortable trying another type of contraception, including other types of pill. You may face certain situations where you find that you are not taking the medication appropriately, increasing your chances of accidental pregnancy. Women who face issues such as these may wish to seek a more permanent birth control method.

The contraceptive pill is one of the most widely used methods although a number of women may feel this method is no longer the right one for them. In this situation, an alternative treatment can be discussed with your healthcare professional as most of these women will opt to completely change their method of contraception.

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When Is the Best Time to Come Off the Pill?

The timing doesn’t really matter. If you wish to come off the pill, then you may stop taking them at any moment you find feasible for you. However, if you want to try and get your periods back on track, it is usually recommended that you finish the pack that you are on.

What Should You Expect After Coming Off the Pills?

The reaction to discontinuing use of the pill differs from woman to woman but many report that their menstrual cycle was thrown off course when stopping a pack halfway through. Some experienced extra bleeding before their natural period appears.

It takes a few days for hormones from the pill to leave your system once you have stopped taking it. You may experience slight to severe fluctuations in your menstrual cycle. It normally takes 2-3 months for your periods to return to normal. You may experience a number of hormone-related effects after stopping the pill. These effects may be more prominent if you started to take the pill for any of the following reasons:

To prevent menstrual cramps
To get rid of heavy or irregular periods
As a prevention strategy to acne
To help with monthly mood swings due to periods.

If you are affected by any of the above-mentioned reasons, you will most likely become an issue for you once again. You may wish to consult with your doctor to find out about an alternative treatment to alleviate these symptoms.

Are There Any Side Effects for Coming Off The Pill?

Coming off the pill does not generally cause side effects though when it does, those side effects are manageable. The most common issue experienced is spotting, which is the flow of blood from the vagina in minor quantities. This is completely harmless and doesn’t tend to last long. It usually happens during the first few months of stopping the pill.

There are some other side effects like post-pill amenorrhea which is an abnormal absence of bleeding for a period of 6 months or more. If this is experienced, you should seek out a medical professional for further investigation.

Do You Want to Come Off The Pill to Get Pregnant?

Most women believe that the longer they take the pill, the harder it will be to get pregnant. Yet, this is not correct. It does not matter how long you have been taking the pill, it is possible to become pregnant quickly after stopping. However, there are instances where women are confronted with fertility problems. If you are faced with this, then you should discuss it with your doctor.

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