Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Eating a balanced diet and taking high-quality supplements can help support your body as you stop taking the pill.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life.

There are several reasons why someone might want to stop using birth control pills. According to Felice Gersh, MD, ob-gyn and the founder/director of Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, those reasons include:

Planning a pregnancy Experiencing adverse side effects like depression, blood clots, chronic vaginal infections and low libido Having trouble remembering to take them (and opting for a different birth control method)

  • Planning a pregnancy
  • Experiencing adverse side effects like depression, blood clots, chronic vaginal infections and low libido
  • Having trouble remembering to take them (and opting for a different birth control method)

When stopping the pill, be sure to use a backup method of contraception if you aren’t looking to get pregnant at all or right away, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about what to expect when stopping birth control pills, per the Cleveland Clinic. That’s also a good time to discuss how being off of the pill will affect any prior conditions you have.

Here are some potential side effects of stopping other types of hormonal birth control, according to Dr. Perkins:

​Birth control patches ​(i.e. Xulane)​ and rings ​(Nuvaring, Annovera): These will have similar effects as stopping the pill. ​Depo-Provera injection​: A person may not ovulate for months or even years after the last shot. And while this shot can cause significant weight gain, progesterone-related weight gain should stop after you are no longer getting the shot. Being physically active and eating a nutritious diet can help if you are looking to lose weight after quitting Depo-Provera injections. ​Long-acting hormonal birth control, such as an IUD or the implant​ (Nexplanon): These have fewer side effects when discontinued and a fairly quick return to fertility. The hormone-free IUD, Paragard, does not have hormonal effects on your body. Therefore, when you remove it, you will experience no side effects, no delayed return to your fertility and no systemic changes.

  • ​Birth control patches ​(i.e. Xulane)​ and rings ​(Nuvaring, Annovera): These will have similar effects as stopping the pill.

  • ​Depo-Provera injection​: A person may not ovulate for months or even years after the last shot. And while this shot can cause significant weight gain, progesterone-related weight gain should stop after you are no longer getting the shot. Being physically active and eating a nutritious diet can help if you are looking to lose weight after quitting Depo-Provera injections.

  • ​Long-acting hormonal birth control, such as an IUD or the implant​ (Nexplanon): These have fewer side effects when discontinued and a fairly quick return to fertility. The hormone-free IUD, Paragard, does not have hormonal effects on your body. Therefore, when you remove it, you will experience no side effects, no delayed return to your fertility and no systemic changes.

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