The pill, patch and vaginal ring: Discontinued use

Birth control pills, birth control patches and the vaginal ring are considered effective methods of contraception. Before stopping any of these methods of birth control, ask your doctor how to do so appropriately.


What to expect
After discontinuing the pill, some women resume their normal cycles right away. It's common to miss a period or two, however. The majority of women return to regular menstruation within three months. Studies have shown no correlation between amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual periods) and birth control pills.
After discontinuing the patch or vaginal ring, regular menstruation usually returns quickly. Information on the typical time frame is not yet available. Since these are hormonal contraceptives, however, the time frame may be similar to the pill. If you experience amenorrhea after discontinuing the pill, patch or vaginal ring, consult your doctor to determine the cause of the problem.


Pregnancy and the pill, patch or vaginal ring
Using birth control pills, the patch or the vaginal ring does not increase the risk of future infertility. In fact, in some cases these types of birth control may help prevent conditions that can interfere with the ability to conceive, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and endometrial cancer. However, studies have shown that it may take a few months longer for some women who have just discontinued combination birth control pills or patches to become pregnant than women stopping other types of birth control. Specific data for the vaginal ring is not yet available.
Doctors often recommend stopping the pill for three months before trying to get pregnant. This break from the pill helps the doctor more accurately determine when ovulation occurred and, in turn, your due date. If you're using the patch or ring and wish to become pregnant, it's recommended that you wait until you have regular periods after stopping the patch or ring before trying to become pregnant. With either method of birth control, consider yourself fertile during this time and use another reliable method of birth control.

Studies have shown that taking birth control pills in the months before pregnancy does not cause birth defects. Most studies show no major malformations, heart defects or limb deformities when birth control pills are taken very early in pregnancy. This applies to pills containing estrogen and progestin, as well as pills containing just progestin. Specific data linking the patch or vaginal ring to infertility and birth defects isn't available, but there doesn't appear to be an increased risk. If you're using any type of hormonal contraception and suspect that you're pregnant, consult your doctor immediately.


Pregnancy tests
Birth control pills, patches and vaginal rings don't affect the accuracy of pregnancy test results. If you're having unprotected sex and miss a period, take a pregnancy test. If you choose a home pregnancy test, follow the instructions carefully.