Whether you have medical or personal reasons for stopping your birth control pills, there are a few ways to do it safely. Your doctor will likely discuss the pros and cons of stopping the medication. However, if you feel that continuing to take them is not suitable for you, other options are available to stop taking the pill safely. You may discontinue your birth control pills by switching from one type to another. The other way is by switching from conventional oral contraceptives (OCPs) to extended-regimen OCPs and vice versa. Understanding how each method of stopping your pills works is essential before making a final decision. Here are some suggestions on stopping taking birth control pills safely and effectively.
- Get the green light from your doctor
You should consult your doctor about the benefits and risks of stopping your birth control pills. Your doctor will likely discuss the pros and cons of stopping the pill. Your doctor may suggest other alternatives based on your medical history. It’s essential to consider your current health before making a final decision. Some medical conditions may make you more susceptible to specific side effects associated with stopping the pill.
- Gradually decrease your pill dose
If you are taking OCPS, the best way to stop taking these pills is to decrease the number of pills you take each month gradually. How do you do that? Well, you must first know how many pills you take each day. OCPS comes in 28-day packs with either 21 or 28 pills in each group. 7 “reminder” pills serve as placeholders for the days in your cycle when you have your period. So, taking the 28-day OCPS will take 21 OCPS pills and seven reminder pills every month. Taking a 21-day OCPS pack will take 14 OCPS pills and seven reminder pills every month.
- Switch from OCPs to extended-regimen OCPs
If you are currently taking conventional OCPS, the best way to stop taking these pills is to switch to extended-regimen OCPS. Extended-regimen OCPS is a type of birth control pill designed to prevent pregnancy for an extended period. There are two types of extended-regimen OCPS: monophasic and biphasic. Monophasic OCPS have the same amount of synthetic estrogen and progestin in each pill. Biphasic OCPS has two kinds of progestin: a lower dose in the first part of the pack and a higher dose in the last detail. Extended-regimen OCPS is designed to be taken continuously without needing a break. If you currently take monophasic OCPS, you can switch to a biphasic OCPS pack. If you currently take biphasic OCPS, you can switch to a monophasic OCPS pack. Remember that you may experience some side effects after switching from OCPS to extended-regimen OCPS. Remember to consult your doctor first!
- Switch from extended-regimen OCPs to conventional OCPS
If you are taking extended-regimen OCPS, the best way to stop taking these pills is to switch to conventional OCPS. You can switch from biphasic OCPS to monophasic OCPS or from monophasic OCPS to biphasic OCPS. Just like switching from OCPS to extended regimen OCPS, you may experience some side effects after switching from extended-regimen OCPS to conventional OCPS. Remember to consult your doctor first! If you are taking biphasic OCPS packs, you can switch to monophasic OCPS packs. Similarly, if you are taking monophasic OCPS packs, you can switch to biphasic OCPS packs.
If you are taking birth control pills, you must remember that these pills are not meant to be taken for a lifetime. Depending on the type of pills you take, they are designed to be taken for a certain period. You may stop your birth control pills by switching from one type to another. The other way is by switching from conventional oral contraceptives (OCPS) to extended-regimen OCPs and vice versa. Understanding how each method of stopping your pills works is essential before making a final decision.