For those who have been using the pill or other methods of contraception for a long time, you need to know how to stop taking contraceptives.
Many women have been using the pill as a contraceptive method since adolescence. However, there comes a time when they decide to stop taking it or change the method. However, first it is important to know how to stop taking contraceptives and the likely changes that will happen in the body.
In short, the pill is one of the most used methods today. Remembering that when it was created in the 60s, it became a symbol of the sexual revolution. Whose role was fundamental for women to take control over their own bodies.
However, the number of women who are looking for contraceptive methods without synthetic hormones is increasing, as this causes harm to their health. Therefore, before stopping using the pill, it is important to talk to your gynecologist, who will indicate the best way to go through the process.
How it works
To know how to stop taking contraceptives, it is first important to understand how hormonal contraceptives (ACs) work. In short, ACs are contraceptive methods consisting of the contraceptive pill, injections (monthly and quarterly), vaginal ring, patch, Mirena IUD (IUS) and implants.
Furthermore, the main function of contraceptives is to temporarily interrupt the menstrual cycle. Causing the ovaries to stop producing sex hormones. In this way, the woman does not ovulate, is not fertile and does not menstruate. However, as soon as use is stopped, the ovaries begin to reproduce hormones again.
Therefore, when you stop taking contraceptives, menstrual cycles return, the ovaries increase in size and perform their function again. Which is to produce hormones and mature eggs.
Contrary to what many believe, when stopping the use of ACs, there is no detox period. Because, synthetic hormones are metabolized and eliminated by the body in a matter of hours. With the exception of injectables.
However, hormone production may be unregulated at first, which is normal. However, some changes may occur in the body and in some cases there may even be changes in personality. One of the side effects that can happen is the menstrual cycle becoming unregulated.
Normally, the menstrual cycle lasts 24 to 35 days, with slight variations. It is worth remembering that, to be regular, the cycle does not necessarily need to have the same number of days every month. Now, when the variation from one month to another is more than 10 days, it means that the cycle is irregular.
How to stop taking birth control
As we have already mentioned, there are several hormonal methods available. Therefore, to know how to stop taking contraceptives, you need to know how each one will act in the body. For example:
- Pill – women who take this type of method with continuous use can stop using it at any time. Now, if you take the pill with a break, you have to wait for the pack to finish before you stop using it.
- Vaginal ring – like the pill, the continuous-use ring can be removed at any time. As for the ring with pause, you have to wait for the pause to remove it.
- Implant – in this case it is necessary to undergo a medical procedure to remove it.
- Hormonal IUD – just like the implant, it must be removed through a medical procedure.
- Injection – use can be stopped at any time.
- Sticker – just wait until it expires before you can remove it.
How to stop taking contraceptives: avoid pregnancy
As soon as you stop using contraceptives, your fertility will resume. Therefore, there is a risk of getting pregnant. Therefore, if you want to stop taking contraceptives, but want to continue avoiding pregnancy, you need to organize yourself to change your contraceptive method. Mainly, if your method is the pill, in this case you need to get used to another method before stopping using the pill.
Furthermore, other method options that can be used to prevent pregnancy are the copper IUD and condoms, both of which are provided free of charge by the SUS. In addition to behavioral methods, fertility perception and barrier methods, such as the diaphragm, for example. Finally, in case of doubt, the ideal is to consult a gynecologist.
How to stop taking contraceptives: side effects
Hormonal contraceptives have the function of temporarily interrupting the menstrual cycle and causing the ovaries to stop producing hormones. This way, when you stop taking contraceptives, the ovaries produce hormones again and the cycle restarts. Additionally, the body may begin to function differently. Therefore, some of the most common side effects are:
1- Unregulated menstrual cycle
One of the most common side effects when stopping taking contraceptives is the menstrual cycle being unregulated for a certain period. In fact, the menstrual cycle may be delayed by 1 to 3 months. However, this will depend on each person’s body, as not everyone has deregulated cycles. Anyway, it’s normal, after all your body is getting used to it again.
2- Oil, acne and hair
Another very common side effect is the change in the skin, which becomes more oily, the hair grows and thickens, and the smell tends to become stronger. This happens due to the increase in testosterone, which was blocked by the contraceptive.
Therefore, the skin is usually the most affected, especially between 3 and 6 months after stopping use. Because, with the increase in oiliness, the appearance of acne also increases.
3- Libido
Many women complain that hormonal contraceptives reduce libido (sexual desire). This way, when you stop taking contraceptives, the body returns to hormonal balance. Likewise, libido also returns to normal. Ultimately, this happens thanks to the production of testosterone, responsible for lubrication, sexual excitement, mood and body health.
4- Colic and PMS
Normally, the use of contraceptives reduces cramps and menstrual flow. Therefore, there are women who fear stopping taking contraceptives and having cramps return, as well as PMS. But, this will depend on each person’s body. This way, the pain may return with a vengeance, or perhaps not appear at all. Finally, if the cramps bother you a lot, you can resort to medicine or other natural options to help alleviate them.
5- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a metabolic syndrome, and its cause is not in the ovaries, they only manifest symptoms of the syndrome. Furthermore, the simple fact that the ovaries have a polycystic appearance does not constitute PCOS. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with PCOS after just one transvaginal ultrasound, you need to seek a second opinion from an endocrinologist.
Ultimately, PCOS has no cure, however, it can be controlled with the help of a balanced diet and physical activity. Furthermore, contraceptives do not treat PCOS, but they help reduce the symptoms of the most common types of the syndrome.
Now that you know how to stop taking contraceptives, seek advice from your gynecologist to help you with any questions you may have. In addition to indicating a new contraceptive method to replace the old one.
So, if you liked this article, you will also like this one: How long does contraception start to take effect?
