Signs & Symptoms of Quitting Hormonal Birth Control

The decision to quit birth control is often a complicated one, filled with many questions. Are you absolutely sure that you're ready for a baby? If not, do you have another reliable form of birth control? Some women decide to quit using hormonal birth control because they don't like the side effects. Others quit because they want to start a family. If you're ready to toss out your pills or peel off your patch, talk to your physician first. Be prepared for some temporary changes in your body until your hormones are stable again.

Irregular Periods

• Many women use birth control to regulate their menstrual cycles. Hormonal birth control gives your body a steady stream of hormones, keeping the levels uniform. When you stop taking birth control, especially in the middle of your cycle, the inconsistent levels of hormones can cause breakthrough bleeding. It may take your body a few months to regulate your menstrual periods, so expect to have irregular cycles during the transition period.

Amenorrhea

• Some women experience amenorrhea, or no monthly period, for a few months after they quit using hormonal birth control. This condition is perfectly normal, because the birth control has been preventing ovulation. It takes some time, up to three months, to get your cycles back like clockwork. If you do not have your monthly period, take a pregnancy test to make sure that you're not pregnant. If your period has not come back within six months and you're sure that you're not pregnant, see your physician so he can check for underlying health problems.

Acne

• Certain types of birth control help clear up acne. When you stop using hormonal birth control, you might experience breakouts on your face, chest and back. This is usually a temporary condition caused by fluctuating hormone levels. Your skin should clear up once your hormone levels return to normal.

Increased Chance of Pregnancy

• Once you stop using hormonal birth control, you will immediately have an increased risk of pregnancy. You will no longer have the correct amount of hormones to prevent ovulation. This is perfect for women who are trying to conceive, but if you're not sure that you want to become pregnant, use another form of birth control, such as condoms, a diaphragm or spermicide. It usually takes around two weeks to begin ovulating again, but every woman's body is different. If you stopped using birth control because you couldn't handle the side effects of the hormones, talk to your doctor about a copper IUD. The copper IUD protects you from pregnancy without the use of hormones.