So you want to talk about… coming off the pill

First things first, no body is the same and so everyone will get ‘back to normal’ in their own way after coming off birth control. It will be a slower process for some. Here we talk about coming off the combined pill and the potential side effects you might face when you stop taking it.

How long after stopping taking the pill will I get a period?

The first period you experience after coming off the pill is known as the “withdrawal bleed”. This is not the same as your normal period and normally lasts up to about seven days. Your second bleed will be your normal period. It can take a while for your period to go back to normal – or what is normal for you.

The majority of people who leave reviews at The Lowdown find their usual menstrual cycle returns 1 to 3 months after stopping the combined pill. The NHS advises waiting three months for your menstrual cycle to normalise again. As one of the benefits of the combined pill is often lighter, less painful periods, you may notice your periods become more painful and heavier after stopping the pill. However, your periods can settled and improve even after initially worsening when you stop the pill.

Side effects and symptoms of coming off the pill

How will I feel after coming off the birth control pill?

Hormonal contraception can impact on your mood (positively or negatively), so coming off the birth control may change how you feel. Some people start the pill to help with their mood. The combined pill can help with PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) and PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder) and so coming off the pill may lead to a worsening of these symptoms. On the other hand, others have reported a negative impact on their mood when using the combined pill that has improved when stopping.

Will coming off birth control affect my skin?

One of the common reasons women use the combined pill is to improve your skin. In fact, it is often used by doctors as a treatment for acne. Some people find on stopping their combined pill that their acne or spots return or worsen initially, as their skin is no longer benefitting from the oestrogen effects of the combined pill. Read more about the impact of birth control on acne here. 

How do I stop the pill?

It is easy to stop taking the pill. You just stop taking it. But be aware that if you are having unprotected sex and stop taking the pill, you may get pregnant. If you don’t want to get pregnant, switch to another method.

What supplements should I take to get off the pill?

There is no clinical evidence that you need any specific supplements to come off the pill. When you stop the pill, your menstrual cycle will return to your normal baseline. To support a normal and healthy menstrual cycle, you should stay fit and active, eat a balanced diet and avoid stress. Taking multivitamins or supplements such as vitamin D can be part of a healthy balanced lifestyle, but they are not essential for coming off the pill.

I’m coming off the pill to get pregnant, is my fertility affected?

When you stop using the pill your fertility will return to whatever is normal for you. There is no significant difference in pregnancy rates when compared to those stopping other contraceptive methods or using no contraception.

It is important to remember it is possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop taking the combined pill. If getting pregnant isn’t your goal, then you might want to consider switching to another form of contraception before you stop taking your birth control pill.

Your fertility will still depend on your age, genetics and any underlying medical problems. Women who have used contraception for most of their reproductive lives may not be aware of problems affecting their fertility, as contraceptive effects may mask symptoms, such as irregular periods. For some people it’s only on stopping contraception or trying to get pregnant, that they find out they have a reproductive health condition. You can start optimising your fertility before you even stop the pill and get individual advice from our fertility tool.

 According to the NHS it is best to wait until after you’ve had your first natural period before trying for a baby. This gives you time to make sure you’re in the best physical health for carrying a baby. It also helps your GP or midwife predict your due date more accurately.

Other contraceptive options

If you’re looking to come off the pill and switch to a different method of contraception then we have got you covered. There are many other different types to try, both hormonal and non-hormonal.

If you fancy sticking with a hormonal contraceptive then you could try another pill. Trying a different brand or the progestogen-only pill might suit your body better, but if you’re set on coming off the pill for good then your options include; other combined methods such as the contraceptive patch or the vaginal ring, or progestogen-only methods such as the hormonal coil, the injection or the implant. You can order the Evra contraceptive patch and the Sayana Press injection from the Lowdown.

There are non-hormonal options available too. You could try the copper coil, condoms, the female condom, or fertility awareness based methods.

What do our reviewers say?

No two individuals will have the exact same experience, but at The Lowdown we try to be as informative as possible. We’ve picked out a few examples from our reviews below, and recommend looking through the rest of our reviews if you want to see more!