Birth Control Cessation: What's Next?

Stopping birth control can have various effects on the body and mind, and these effects may differ from person to person. Some people may experience physical changes, such as heavier and more painful periods, acne, hair loss, and weight changes. There may also be mental and emotional changes, including mood shifts, increased sex drive, and a return of fertility. It is worth noting that stopping birth control does not always lead to negative consequences, and some people report feeling more themselves after discontinuing it. Additionally, the side effects are usually temporary, and the body typically adjusts to its new hormonal rhythm within a few months.

Irregular periods and spotting

Stopping birth control can cause irregular periods and spotting. This is because birth control masks the symptoms of your natural menstrual cycle. When you stop taking it, your body will need time to adjust to the changes in your hormone levels.

If you stop taking birth control pills, you may experience withdrawal bleeding within a week of stopping. This could feel like a light to normal period. Within three months, your cycles will likely return to their previous cadence. However, if you had irregular periods before you started taking birth control, it might take up to six months for your period to return.

If you have an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant removed, you can expect to feel crampy and experience some spotting for 24 hours afterward. This should improve over time, with each day feeling a little better than the last.

If you stop getting the Depo-Provera shot, you may experience irregular bleeding and spotting as your body readjusts. It can take up to six months for your body to return to normal ovulation.

If you stop taking birth control pills mid-pack, you may experience irregular periods, spotting, and cramping as your body struggles to fall back into a regular menstrual cycle. These problems are temporary and will not pose any long-term risks to your health. However, you may also experience abdominal cramping, weight gain, mood swings, nausea, and other gut issues such as bloating and gassiness.

Increased sex drive

Hormonal birth control can affect your sex drive, and many people who take it report a decrease in sexual desire. If you've been experiencing a low libido, you might notice an increase in your sex drive after stopping birth control.

Some oral contraceptives have sexual side effects, such as low libido and vaginal dryness, which can hinder your interest in sexual activity. About 8% of people stop taking hormonal birth control because of these sexual problems.

Hormonal changes can also create less-than-ideal conditions for sexual desire or arousal. Many people experience vaginal dryness, pain during penetration, and decreased sensitivity when using hormonal birth control.

If you've been taking birth control to regulate your hormones, you might find that your body automatically wants to re-stimulate follicles to potentially ovulate after stopping. This can lead to an increase in sex drive as your body adjusts to its new rhythm of hormonal levels and cycles.

It's important to note that everyone's body reacts differently to stopping birth control, and changes in sex drive may not occur immediately. Additionally, if you had issues with low sex drive or irregular periods before starting birth control, these issues may persist once you stop taking it.

Return of fertility

As soon as you stop taking hormonal birth control, you could start ovulating again and your fertility may return. If you use the pill, patch, or ring continuously week after week, pregnancy is possible as soon as you stop. However, if you typically take a week off between packs to allow for period-like bleeding, pregnancy isn't possible until after this 7-day window ends.

It's important to note that you can get pregnant even if you haven't had a period since stopping birth control. Therefore, if you don't want to get pregnant, it's crucial to use another form of birth control, such as condoms or spermicide. You might also consider taking emergency contraception, such as Plan B, if needed.

The return to fertility can vary depending on the type of birth control previously used. For example, with the Depo-Provera shot, it can take up to six months for normal ovulation to resume. With the copper IUD, hormonal IUD, or implant, ovulation can return immediately after removal.

A 2018 research review found that 83% of people who stopped using birth control became pregnant within 12 months. This highlights the importance of using alternative contraceptive methods if you're not planning to conceive.

If you want to become pregnant or have questions about your fertility, it's recommended to consult with a fertility specialist for personalized advice and guidance.

Mood changes

Changes in mood are a common side effect of stopping hormonal birth control. This is because hormonal birth control can have a stabilising effect on hormone levels, and stopping it can cause a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone. This, in turn, can lead to temporary mood changes or abrupt shifts in demeanour.

Some people find that hormonal birth control helps to relieve mood shifts, especially those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), who often use hormonal contraception for symptom management. For those with underlying conditions, the effects of stopping hormonal birth control may be more noticeable and longer-lasting.

In some cases, symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings can worsen when using hormonal birth control. Stopping hormonal birth control may lead to an improvement in these symptoms.

Other emotional side effects may also occur when stopping birth control. For example, some people may experience increased stress and anxiety around the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Physical changes

The physical changes that occur when someone stops taking birth control after one week will depend on the type of birth control they were using. For hormonal birth control, such as the pill, patch, ring, or shot, the main physical change that can occur is pregnancy. If someone has been using a barrier method of birth control, such as an IUD or implant, there may be some minor physical side effects, such as cramping, light bleeding, or bloody discharge, but these should subside within 24 hours.

For those who have been using hormonal birth control, other physical changes may include:

• Irregular periods
• Heavier periods with more painful cramping
• Unwanted hair growth
• Acne
• Changes in weight
• Changes in sex drive
• Breast tenderness

It is important to note that everyone's body is different, and the physical changes experienced when stopping birth control may vary from person to person. Additionally, the length of time it takes for these physical changes to occur can also vary. For example, the Depo-Provera shot can stay in the body for up to a year after stopping, so physical changes may take longer to occur in this case.

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