Is it okay to stop taking oral contraceptives midway?

Daily use of oral contraceptives is an effective and simple method of contraception, widely used. Users need to use it continuously, regularly every day. However, if in the process of using we stop taking birth control pills midway, it can cause bad effects on health.

Birth control pills contain synthetic hormones that are similar to the natural hormones a woman's body produces. Some pills contain only one hormone called a progestin. Progestin-only pills are often called mini-pills.
Other birth control pills contain two hormones, progestin and estrogen. This type of birth control pill is called a combined oral contraceptive.
Both drugs are very safe. Some people just prefer the progestin-only mini-pill because they can't add estrogen or don't want to use it.
The effect of oral contraceptives can be explained by one of the following mechanisms:
The hormones in combined oral contraceptives can prevent the ovaries from producing mature eggs. This process of producing mature eggs is called ovulation. You can't get pregnant if you don't ovulate because then there's no egg for the sperm to fertilize. The hormones in both the combination and mini-pill create a buildup of mucus on the lining of the cervix. This mucus is sticky and can prevent sperm from entering your cervix. The hormones in both drugs thin the lining of the uterus. Without enough uterine lining, the fertilized egg cannot attach and develop into a fetus.

There are many reasons why we may want to stop taking oral contraceptives midway through taking them, including:
Desire to get pregnant Expensive cost of use The inconvenience of taking a pill a day Switching change to a different form of birth control Have serious side effects or discomfort while using Health concerns

3.1. Affect your menstrual cycle Most medical professionals and doctors recommend that you do not stop taking your daily oral contraceptive midway through . Instead, you should complete your course and not start a new course on your own.
This makes it easier for your body to return to a normal menstrual cycle. If you stop taking it mid-cycle, which is before you get your period, it may take longer for your body to return to its normal cycle.
Also, if you stop taking the Pill in the middle of your cycle, you may experience cramping and bleeding two days after you took the last pill. The hormones that are put into the body when taking the pill will be eliminated within two days. After they disappear, the body tries to start the menstrual cycle again.
Most of the symptoms that occur after you stop taking the Pill are temporary. After a few menstrual cycles, your body will get back to its normal rhythm and your period will return to normal.
If your period has been irregular since before you started taking the pill, you may still have it. You should talk to your doctor if you don't get your period within four to six months of stopping the medication.
3.2. Cramps Contraceptives usually relieve cramps. When these hormones are eliminated from the body, you may experience cramps even when you are not bleeding.
3.3. Weight gain Some women experience slight weight gain in the weeks after they stop taking the Pill. This is often the result of increased appetite. Exercising and eating a balanced diet regularly can help prevent weight gain.
3.4. Mood swings Hormonal contraception helps many women regulate their mood swings. Without hormones, your mood swings could be more severe and unpredictable.

If the body shows symptoms as mentioned above, we need to give the body time to adapt to the change in hormone levels.
During the period of several months of using oral contraceptives daily, it is possible that we have experienced side effects of the pill. These side effects can include headache, fluid retention, and sudden bleeding.
Now when we stop taking the medicine, it may take a short time for us to deal with fluctuating side effects.
Our body will need three to four months to return to normal after stopping birth control. If the side effects do not stop, make an appointment with your doctor and provide complete information about the side effects experienced and how long they occurred.
In rare cases, discontinuing daily oral contraceptives may reveal some health problems that are temporarily undetected from using this method of contraception.

Before stopping using oral contraceptives every day, we need to have a plan. It is important that we need the instructions and advice of the doctor.
If you have symptoms of a blood clot, seek medical help immediately. These will include:
Swelling in the legs or arms and feeling warm to the touch Pain or mild pain in the legs or arms Red skin discoloration If you stop taking the medicine because of a side effect, your doctor should know so that another type of contraceptive can be suggested.
If you are stopping the pill but still want to avoid pregnancy, you should talk to your doctor about other birth control options.
If you are using the Pill daily to treat acne or another medical condition, you will need a new treatment plan before you stop using it.
If you have a need for consultation and examination at Vinmec Hospitals under the nationwide health system, please book an appointment on the website for service.

Reference source: healthline.com