What Happens When You Stop Birth Control Pills?

Any type of hormone-based birth control can change how you feel, whether it's the pill or another method. So it makes sense that stopping the pill will cause changes to your body and mood.

There are many reasons you might stop taking birth control pills. You may want to have a baby, or you might want to try a different birth control method. Maybe you're having side effects, such as weight changes or headaches.

If you're having side effects, your doctor might suggest you try a different birth control method that might not cause those effects. In any case, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor before you stop taking the pill.

After stopping birth control, your periods may become irregular as your body adjusts to its natural cycle. This can take a few months, so be patient as your body finds its rhythm.

You might get heavier and more painful periods once you stop taking the pill. Birth control often lightens menstrual flow, so expect some changes after you stop taking it.

The pill often helps regulate hormones that cause acne, so you may see your acne return. Depending on how the pill affected you, you may stop getting headaches or your headaches may come back.

The pill, especially some formulas, helps your body level out the hormonal swings that can make you feel depressed, anxious, and irritable. Without that balancing, you may start feeling moody again.

Your libido may increase or decrease as your body adjusts hormonally. Some people find their sex drive changes significantly after stopping the pill.

Women who used certain progestin-only pills may have gained a few pounds, so the scale might go down when they stop using them. If you want to lose weight, though, you'll probably get more results from a better diet and more exercise than from going off your birth control.