Side Effects of Stopping Birth Control

A woman conceives when the eggs produced by her ovaries are fertilized by a man's sperms. After an egg has been fertilized, the embryo needs to attach to the wall of the uterus to develop further. There are a number of birth control methods, that obstruct any one of these stages and prevent a woman from conceiving.

Birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings are certain contraceptives that work by changing the levels of the hormones like estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. These hormones prevent pregnancy by either stopping the ovaries from producing eggs or by altering the thickening of the walls of the cervix, that prevents the entry of sperms into the uterus. Alternately, these hormones may also change the lining of the uterus because of which the egg can't attach to the uterus wall, once it has been fertilized. Once a woman wants to conceive, she needs to come off these methods. However, many women complain of experiencing side effects once they discontinue the use of these contraceptives.

Negative Effects of Stopping Birth Control

Menstrual Cycle: Women on hormonal contraceptives often witness a change in their menstrual cycle. While some may occasionally miss their periods, there are others who experience more regular periods. However, some women go through post-pill amenorrhea which refers to long gaps between successive cycles. Once women stop using the hormonal contraceptives, their cycles tend to revert to the previous pattern. However, these changes may take a few months to set in.

Mood Swings: This is one of the most common side effects of going off birth control methods. This is quite understandable because once these contraceptives are discontinued, there is a change in the hormone levels in the body. Women complain of going into depression, feeling sad and becoming highly irritable. All this causes increased levels of anxiety and some women are even seen crying for no apparent reason.

Weight Changes: Many women experience a slight increase in weight once they start using hormonal birth control methods. So once they are off it, they expect that they will lose weight. However, this isn't the case always. Some women have reported to have gained 30 pounds once they discontinued the use of these contraceptives. However, there are others who didn't experience any change in weight. In fact there are women who have undergone temporary loss of weight.

Reduced Levels of Sex Drive: Hormones regulate the desire for sexual intimacy. Women generally report of having increased sex drive while on birth control pills. When they stop using these pills, some women feel a drop in their sexual desire. Duration of such an effect is unpredictable and it may last a few months or even longer.

Changes in Skin: The hormones that are introduced in the body by the pills, patches or vaginal rings, control oil production in the skin. They reduce certain skin problems specially acne. Once these methods are discontinued, some women feel the reverse effect on their skin. Some women who never had any skin problems may find that their skin has become more oily and that they suffer from frequent breakouts and rashes on their skin.

It is natural to experience side effects when one uses or stops taking birth control methods, that prevent pregnancy by changing hormone levels in the body. However, not every woman reacts to these birth control options in the same way. The side effects also vary according to the birth control method used. In case of severe discomfort, it is best to consult one's physician.