Safely Stopping Birth Control Pills: A Comprehensive Guide

Birth control pills, or oral contraceptives, are hormones taken daily to prevent pregnancy and regulate the menstrual cycle. Women may choose to discontinue the use of oral contraception when trying to conceive a child. Birth control pills may also be stopped if a woman wishes to change the type of birth control she is using (to switch to a shot, ring or other method), to give her body a break from the pill, or if she has discovered she is pregnant while taking the pill.

Things You'll Need

• Birth control pills
• Alternative form of birth control

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Instructions

How to Discontinue Birth Control Pills

• 1

  Discuss with your physician the reason you are stopping the use of oral contraception. He may be able to recommend alternative birth control methods if you are trying to prevent pregnancy. If you are trying to conceive, he may recommend prenatal vitamins.

• 2

  Stop taking birth control pills. The pill may be stopped at any point during the cycle or after a pack has been finished. The Mayo Clinic advises that when the pill is stopped, vaginal bleeding may result due to the hormonal changes.

• 3

  Use an alternative form of birth control if you are trying to prevent pregnancy. Condoms, birth control shots and rings, and spermicides are all measures that prevent conception.

• 4

  Expect your menstrual cycle to be irregular for approximately three months. Ovulation may occur soon after stopping the use of the birth control pill, or it may take several months for ovulation and menstruation to occur.