When you stop birth control, your fertility can return quickly, and your periods may change for a few months. You can get pregnant right away.
Fertility
Fertility returns quickly after most methods, often within weeks. After the shot (Depo-Provera), it can take up to 10 months.
Periods
May be irregular for 3 months.
Symptoms
Acne, mood changes or heavier periods may return.
Pregnancy
You can get pregnant right away.
Prevention
Use another method.
Talk to a doctor
Before you stop, if you want to avoid pregnancy.
Timeline of changes
After stopping hormonal birth control, ovulation often returns within one to three months. Fertility generally returns to baseline quickly, and about 80 percent of women conceive within a year of stopping the pill, similar to those who never used it. Depo-Provera can delay return of fertility by an average of 10 months from the last injection.
- Periods may take a few months to regulate, and cycles could be irregular at first.
- Symptoms the pill was masking, such as acne, heavy periods, cramps, PMS or PCOS signs, may return.
- Some users report temporary hair shedding, mood changes or skin changes.
- Pregnancy can occur in the first cycle after stopping.
Planning
Start using another form of contraception right away if you want to avoid pregnancy. If trying to conceive, take folic acid (400 to 800 mcg daily) and see a provider. Talk to a doctor if periods have not returned within 3 to 6 months (post-pill amenorrhea may need evaluation), or if cycles are very irregular, painful or heavy.
Timeline of changes
After stopping, ovulation can return within weeks, but some experience delay. Periods may be irregular for 3 months. Acne or heavy periods may return. Fertility returns quickly for most.
Planning
Use backup contraception if pregnancy is not desired. Start prenatal vitamins with folic acid 400 mcg if planning.
Common changes
After stopping hormonal birth control, the body usually returns to its natural cycle. Ovulation may resume within 1 to 3 months for the pill, though injection (Depo-Provera) can delay fertility for up to 10 months or longer. Pregnancy is possible even before the first period returns.
What to expect
Periods may be irregular for a few months. Symptoms that were suppressed, such as acne, heavy bleeding, cramps, PMS or PCOS signs, can return. Some people notice hair, mood or weight changes. Use another contraceptive such as condoms if you do not want to be pregnant. If periods do not return in 3 months, see a clinician. If you want to conceive, take folic acid, 400 micrograms daily, and see a doctor to review health. Discuss changes with a provider before stopping.
Based on data from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Office on Women’s Health
