Side Effects of Stopping Birth Control
For various reasons, a woman may decide to stop taking her birth control pills. She should be aware of the side effects of quitting her medication. Birth control pills contain hormones, and therefore cause changes to a woman’s body. Once a woman stops taking birth control pills, these hormones will be out of her system within a few days. However, it can take several months for her body to produce its own hormones.
No Menstruation
No menstruation birth control pills function to stop a woman’s period. Therefore, when she stops taking the pills, it may be several months before her period returns. It is common for a woman who quits taking birth control to experience post-pill amenorrhea, or absence of her period, due to the change in hormones.
Irregular Menstruation
A woman who stops taking birth control may also find that she has an irregular menstrual cycle. Her period may be heavier or lighter than usual. She may also find that now her period is very long or very short. It will generally take two or three months before her menstrual cycle is regular again.
Mood Swings
A change in hormone levels caused by discontinuing birth control may cause a woman to experience changes in mood. She might feel depressed, anxious, sad, or angry for no reason. She sometimes will start crying and not know why. These mood swings will go away once her body adjusts to creating its own hormones.
Weight Changes
Some birth control pills contain high levels of estrogen. This may cause a woman to retain water and gain weight. When she goes off birth control, she may lose weight due to a decrease in water retention.
Acne
Sometimes, birth control is used to help a woman with acne problems. When she stops using birth control, she may notice that her skin is more oily or that she has more skin problems than before.
Reduced Interest in Sex
Hormones have an influence on a woman?s sex drive. She may feel a decrease in sexual desire when she stops taking birth control pills.
Pregnancy
A woman who stops taking birth control can now become pregnant. If she is sexually active and wants to prevent pregnancy, a woman should immediately begin using another form of birth control, such as condoms or a diaphragm.
Other Side Effects
Some women may experience other side effects when they go off birth control, including cramps, nausea, and breast tenderness. Talk to a Doctor Side effects will vary from person to person and may depend on the type of birth control used. Hormones affect every person differently. If you are concerned about stopping birth control, consult with your primary care physician or gynecologist.