If you are considering pregnancy, can you just stop taking birth control and get pregnant? In many cases, yes. You may be able to conceive by discontinuing your birth control and having regular sex. This goes for almost any type of birth control. Remember that some forms of contraception, like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, will need to be removed by your doctor or midwife during an office visit. Show
Return to FertilityYou should consider yourself fertile once you have stopped taking birth control pills, had your IUD or implants removed, or stopped using barrier methods such as diaphragms or condoms. If you have been using Depo-Provera injections to prevent pregnancy, it may take several months for your fertility to return. For a woman who has been getting injections for a year or longer, it takes, on average, 5 to 6 months for fertility to return. But it can be shorter or much longer, so bear that in mind when deciding when to stop using the injections. Should You Wait to Try to Conceive?Some people believe that you should not try to conceive immediately after you stop using hormonal birth control (like oral contraceptives or the IUD). But there is no need to wait to try to get pregnant in these cases. It is perfectly safe to conceive right away, or to try to. However, your cycles may not be regular right away. This could make timing intercourse more difficult. Time will usually resolve this problem, but you can also chart your fertility and test for ovulation if you are hoping to conceive quickly. While it is absolutely possible to become pregnant in the first cycle after you stop using a birth control method, you may not want to get pregnant right away. In these cases, you could use condoms or another barrier method to temporarily avoid conception. Preconception HealthIdeally, before you get pregnant, you will have any chronic health conditions under control. Talk to your doctor or midwife about conditions such as thyroid disease or high blood pressure and how they might be affected by pregnancy. Being the healthiest you can be will help you have a more comfortable, safer pregnancy. You may wish to set up a pre-conception appointment with your health care provider. Part of this discussion can include when to stop using birth control. Pregnancy PlanningOnly about half the pregnancies in the United States are planned. When a pregnancy is unplanned, there is more risk that the parents are not physically or mentally prepared for pregnancy. There is also an emotional component of pregnancy. Waiting for a cycle or two after stopping birth control to try to conceive can help you emotionally prepare for pregnancy. But again, this is not necessary to have a healthy pregnancy.  By
Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Thanks for your feedback! We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Is pregnancy possible? Birth control pills are among the most popular pregnancy prevention tools for women. They may also be used to help treat acne and uterine fibroids. The pill works by delivering hormones that prevent an egg from being fertilized. There are different types of pills with varying amounts of hormones. For pregnancy prevention, the pill has a high efficacy rate when taken every day, and at the same time of day. The question is, what happens when you stop taking the pill? The answer ultimately depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle. If you stop taking the pill in the middle of your pack, you could get pregnant right away. On the other hand, if you finish out the month’s pills, pregnancy may be possible after your cycle gets back to normal. It’s important to know that simply taking the pill for a while doesn’t offer long-term effects after you quit — it must be taken every day to prevent pregnancy. Keep reading to learn how the type of birth control pill can affect your chance of pregnancy, what you can do to prevent pregnancy between birth control methods, and what to do if you’re trying to conceive. Combination pills are the most common forms of oral contraceptives. These contain both estrogen and progestin. When taken daily, these pills protect against pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg during ovulation. They also create mucus barriers to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg. The rate of pregnancy after stopping these pills greatly depends on the type of combination pill you’re taking. If you’re taking the conventional type, which has three weeks of active pills, it’s possible to get pregnant the next month after menstruation. It’s also possible to get pregnant if you miss a dose in the middle of your pack. Some combination pills, like Seasonale, come in extended cycle versions. This means you take 84 active pills in a row and only have a period every three months. It may take longer for your cycles to normalize after taking extended-cycle pills, but it’s still possible to get pregnant in as little as one month. Like the name suggests, progestin-only pills only contain progestin, so you don’t have an “inactive” week of pills. These “minipills” also alter ovulation, as well as the linings of the cervix and uterus. These pills don’t contain estrogen, so their efficacy is slightly lower. It’s estimated that about 13 out of every 100 women taking the minipill will get pregnant each year. This also means that pregnancy is more likely immediately after you stop progestin-only pills. If you’re actively trying to conceive, it’s still a good idea to wean off the pill first, so talk with your doctor. Although your cycle might take time to normalize, it’s still possible to get pregnant during the first month after you stop the pill. If you’re not looking to get pregnant right now, you’ll want to consider another birth control method to use after you stop the pill. Numerous over-the-counter barrier methods, when used correctly, can prevent pregnancy. These include: Spermicide: This is a gel or cream that contains nonoxylnon-9, a chemical that kills sperm. Although spermicide may be used alone, it’s more effective when used with other barrier methods. Condoms: Available in both male and female versions, condoms prevent sperm from entering the uterus. These are made even more effective when used with spermicide. Never use both male and female condoms at once, as this can increase the risk of tearing. Diaphragms: Made for women only, a diaphragm is placed in the vagina and acts as a barrier along the cervix. Diaphragms must be used with spermicide to work effectively. Unlike a condom, which is removed immediately after sex, a diaphragm must stay in place for at least six hours after intercourse. After your six hours are up, you must remove it within the next 18 hours. Sponges: These foam structures are also placed in the vagina to cover the cervix. They already contain spermicide. Like diaphragms, sponges must stay in place for at least six hours after sex. You should remove the sponge within 30 hours after sex. Learn more: Which birth control is right for you? » The way you come off your birth control pill can also vary if you’re trying to conceive. Suddenly stopping the pill in the middle of the pack isn’t a good idea, because it can alter your cycle. Instead, it’s best to finish the pack and let your body run through a normal menstrual cycle first. One common misconception is that the pill adversely affects your fertility. The pill has no impact on your fertility — it just might take a couple of months for your cycle to get back to normal. You may or may not get pregnant during the first cycle after you stop the pill. In fact, women who were recently on the pill have the same chances of getting pregnant as women who haven’t taken oral contraceptives. Your doctor is your best source for advice for ensuring a healthy conception. They can advise on how to best come off the pill and talk to you about starting a prenatal vitamin before you try to conceive. They may also make recommendations about healthy eating, abstaining from alcohol, exercise, and more. Check out: A 30-day guide to prepare your body for pregnancy » How long for hormones to balance after stopping birth control?Statistically, most women – at least 80 percent – regain hormonal balance within three months of stopping the pill. However, it often does take that long, and not all women do find that balance – even as far as 6 months after stopping them. Some women experience a bumpy ride coming off the pill.
What are the symptoms after stopping birth control?After stopping birth control, women will often see a return of these symptoms, such as increased acne, cramps, and PMS. Birth control itself can, in some cases, lead to new symptoms that show up when a woman gets a period. Common symptoms include headaches, bloated and even weight gain.
Can I get pregnant fresh off birth control?Your body doesn’t need to time to “clear” birth control hormones. In fact, it’s possible for you to conceive within a month or two of stopping most types. If you want to go off hormonal birth control but aren’t ready to get pregnant, use another method, like condoms, until you are ready.
What are the side effects of getting off birth control?Side effects of going off birth control
What are the chances of getting pregnant after stopping birth control?You can get pregnant right away after you stop regular-dose or low-dose hormonal birth control. About half of women get pregnant in the first 3 months after stopping the pill. Most women get pregnant within 12 months after stopping the pill.
Can you get pregnant immediately after you stop taking the pill?The contraceptive pill stops your body from ovulating, but as soon you stop taking the pill this process kicks back into action. So, it's possible to get pregnant as soon as you come off the pill. As many as 84 out of 100 couples will get pregnant within a year of starting to have regular sex without contraception.
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