Can You Take Birth Control Pills To Stop Your Period – Maybe you had too many close calls and forgot to take the Pill on time. Or maybe you never get over the hate factor of sliding a plastic ring into your vagina every three weeks. Whatever the reason for your birth control break, it’s important to make sure you leave the Pill or dial in the right way.

The pill and the ring each pump artificial doses of estrogen and progestin into your bloodstream to stop ovulation. Once you stop BC and those synthetic hormones are no longer circulating, your brain sends a signal to your ovaries to wake up and start producing natural hormones, which induce ovulation. “It’s smart to make a plan and understand what to expect in that first week, so you know the possible side effects and you’ll have time to protect yourself with another contraceptive method if you don’t want to get pregnant,” explains Melanie Collins, M.D. , ob-gyn at Renaissance Women’s Group in Austin, Texas. Here’s everything you need to know about breaking up with the Pill or the ring.

Can You Take Birth Control Pills To Stop Your Period

How you should stop: From a medical point of view, there’s no reason you can’t go off your pill at any point in your cycle. But ideally, the best time to stop is at the end of your pill pack, when you’re also expecting your period to start. “This way you stay on schedule,” says Collins. Stopping at other times can cause heavy bleeding, because your body realizes it’s not getting the usual dose of progesterone it used to, adds Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of ob-gyn at Yale University School of Medicine.

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Expected side effects: When your system gets back into swing releasing its own hormones again, weird things can happen—like breast tenderness, depression, and then heavier flow and more painful cramps when you start ovulating again. Not everyone experiences these symptoms, but if you do, know that they tend to subside once your cycle ends. Other body quirks may include an increased sex drive and acne. Now that the Pill is no longer suppressing your natural testosterone production, your body starts making small amounts of this hormone, which contributes to libido and acne, Minkin says.

What to know if you don’t want to get pregnant:  The supposed infertility “grace period” in the weeks after stopping oral contraceptives? Uh, that’s not the point. Although it usually takes a minimum of three or four days before ovulation will start again, you could theoretically ovulate a few hours after your last pill, Minkin says. Don’t want a baby? Don’t take chances. Protect yourself with other protection methods starting with your first ride after the pill in the saddle.

Things to know if you’re trying to get pregnant:  While you may experience problems right away, Collins suggests giving your body a few months to ovulate and your cycle to settle before actively expecting a positive pregnancy test.

And this is very important: If you’re thinking about a baby, start taking prenatal vitamins the same day you stop taking the Pill. Look for ones that contain folic acid, a B vitamin that has been shown to prevent certain birth defects that occur in the first month after conception, Minkin says. Even if you want to eat healthily and make sure you get folic acid in your food, make sure you use a supplement.

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How you should stop: Just like ditching the pill, you can say sayonara to this hormone-infused flexible ring any time of the month, there’s no harm in it, Minkin says. But also like the Pill, you will avoid heavy bleeding and stick to your regular schedule if you remove your last ring after three weeks as usual and never insert another one again.

Expected side effects: The ring has the same estrogen-progesterone combo as most oral contraceptives; hormones are only absorbed directly through your vagina instead of through your intestinal tract. Side effects are what you’d expect: breast tenderness, mood swings, heavier flow, breakouts, and more cramps. After your hormones get back on track, these symptoms will likely go away, usually after a few months. But changes like a higher sex drive and acne may occur here, because they can be triggered by the natural testosterone your body is now making again, without the hormone in the ring blocking production.

What to know if you don’t want to get pregnant: You’ll need a new method of contraception once you have your last ring removed. If you want a break from hormones and don’t want to deal with doctor visits, condoms are 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, says Dr. Minkin. She also recommends IUDs (99 percent effective), even if you’re not sure about your future baby plans. IUDs are hormone-free, so if you experience unwanted side effects from the Pill or the ring, you won’t see them with your IUD. Plus, you can always take it out, Minkin says, should you decide you’re ready to be a mom. If you’re not sure what to do, check with your ob-gyn, who can give you birth control options that work for your body and lifestyle, Collins says.

Things to know if you’re trying to get pregnant: You may have three or four days at the earliest before ovulation occurs again. But it’s normal for ovulation to take longer than that, so don’t worry if it takes two or three cycles without a ring before you get pregnant (and of course, conception can take months or years, especially if you’re nearing 40 years). In the meantime, make sure you start taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, says Collins, as soon as your body is free of the ring and ready for ovulation.

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Question: To prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, can I take several birth control pills at once instead of the morning after pill?

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Answer: With highly effective emergency contraception (One-Step Plan B) so readily available, regular oral contraceptive pills are not the preferred option for preventing pregnancy within 48 hours of unprotected sex. But if you can’t get Plan B, it’s possible to prevent pregnancy by taking several birth control pills at once, which–when taken at the right dose–close to the 1mg of levonorgestrel recommended for emergency contraception. So be sure to contact your provider for specific instructions before you pop the pill. And be aware that if you’re using a pill pack that contains estradiol plus levonorgestrel, that extra hormone can significantly increase the risk of nausea.

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Kyoko practices evidence-based medicine with an emphasis on empowering and encouraging her patients to take an active role in their health care. With expertise in women’s health, including prenatal care, reproductive health and menstrual disorders, she manages a wide range of health problems. After receiving a master’s degree in public health from Boston University, Kyoko earned her medical degree from Temple University and completed her residency at the University of Pennsylvania. She then went on to complete an obstetrics fellowship at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center OB/GYN Residency in San Jose. Kyoko is board certified in family medicine. Kyoko is a One Medical Group provider and sees patients in our San Francisco office.

The One Medical Blog is published by One Medical, a national and modern primary care practice that pairs 24/7 virtual care services with engaging and convenient personal care at more than 100 locations across the U.S. One Medical is on a mission to transform healthcare for all through a human-centered, technology-powered approach to caring for people at every stage of life.

Sexual Side Effects Of The Birth Control Pill, Per An Ob/gyn

Any general advice posted on our blog, website or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or replace any medical or other advice. 1Life Healthcare, Inc. and One Medical entities make no representations or warranties and expressly disclaim any and all liability regarding any treatment, actions by, or effects on any person following general information offered or made available in or through blogs, websites, or applications. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises where you need medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical service provider. You’ve been taking birth control for months, years or maybe even decades. And you may have settled on the type and routine that works best for you. But now you are ready to

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