Many women find that finishing their current package of birth control pills and waiting for their period to begin is the easiest way to stop taking birth control pills, but this approach doesn’t work for everyone. Discontinuing birth control pills in the middle of a menstrual cycle is medically safe, according to the Mayo Clinic, but women should consider a few factors before doing so.
Step 1
Talk to a doctor. Three reasons why many women choose to discontinue their birth control are bothersome side effects, the desire to use a different method of birth control or because they are ready to conceive a baby. Although it is not crucial, many women would benefit from talking to a doctor about all three of these situations.
Step 2
Select another method of birth control. You should consider the effectiveness, ease of use, safety, convenience, cost and availability when making their decision, suggests Planned Parenthood. Those who were having unpleasant side effects might want to talk to a doctor about contraceptive options that would be less likely to cause these side effects. Although women planning to try to conceive do not necessarily need to use another method of birth control right away, they might want to consider doing so for a couple menstrual cycles, suggests DrSpock.com contributor Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. This might make dating the pregnancy easier if conception occurs right away.
Step 3
Learn how to make the transition to the new birth control method. Women can generally use non-hormonal birth control methods right away, but hormonal birth control options often require them to begin the medication at a specific time. Those who have questions about how to start a new birth control should contact a doctor.
Step 4
Prepare for side effects. Discontinuing birth control pills often causes a shift in hormone levels, especially for women who are switching to a non-hormonal method of birth control. Breakthrough bleeding, mood changes and acne are potential side effects of stopping the pill.
Step 5
Stop using the birth control pills, and begin using the backup method of birth control. Note any side effects that occur, especially with hormonal methods. Although most of the side effects of hormonal birth control go away as the body adjusts to the new medication, report any side effects that are particularly bothersome to a doctor.
Tips and Warnings
- Women who are going to begin trying to conceive a baby should get a preconception checkup.
- Women who miss even one or two of their birth control pills might become pregnant if they don’t use another form of contraception.
Things You'll Need
- New method of birth control
