When you stop using a hormonal birth control method such as the pill, patch or vaginal ring, your period may start immediately or it may take several weeks. According to Go Ask Alice at Columbia University, it usually takes at least one month and sometimes up to three before your body begins producing its own hormones again. Reasons for going off hormonal birth control include a desire to get pregnant, dissatisfaction with side effects or a switch to another method of contraception.
Step 1
Finish your current pack of birth control pills if you are not having side effects. Your period should start as it usually does during the week of inert pills. Do not start another pack the following week. Your next period may start four weeks later, like a normal cycle, or it may come earlier or later. You may have some spotting or breakthrough bleeding between periods.
Step 2
Remove the patch or vaginal ring at the end of the current cycle unless you are having unpleasant side effects and need to remove it sooner. Always consult your gynecologist before abruptly stopping your birth control.
Step 3
Expect your period to return to its pre-birth control state. If your period was irregular before you started hormonal contraceptives, it will probably be irregular again. If it was heavy, it will probably be heavy again. Remember that any cramping or spotting you may have is not caused by going off the pill but by your body returning to its normal cycle.
Step 4
Start using another birth control method as soon as you stop your current method if you do not want to get pregnant. Even though it may take your period several months to return to normal, you can still get pregnant right away. Alternative methods of birth control include barriers such as condoms or a diaphragm, spermicide and the intrauterine device.
Step 5
Restart hormonal birth control, if you decide you want to, as soon as your next period starts or after it ends. You can start taking the pill on the first day of your period or wait until the following Sunday to start a new pack.
Things You'll Need
- Alternative birth control (optional)
