Equally, there are no proven positives to pill use where fertility is concerned. Some people talk about a fertility boost directly after coming off the contraceptive pill, but there's no real evidence to back this up.
“Before I had my son I was on Microgynon for donkey’s years. After the withdrawal bleed (a few days after stopping) my cycles went pretty much back to normal straight away (give or take a few days) and I conceived three months after stopping the pill. After having him, I changed to Cerazette. When I stopped taking it to TTC it took from November until January to get my periods back.”
Is there a higher risk of miscarriage if I get pregnant straight away?
Almost certainly not. Even if you become pregnant while still taking the pill, there should be no increased miscarriage risk. The evidence is not absolutely conclusive, but there have been no studies that suggest a definitive link between the two.
What are the side effects of coming off the pill?
Stopping taking the pill will result in a withdrawal bleed. Wherever you are in your packet, stopping taking the pill will mean you will have a bleed of up to a week – think of this as your seven-day break.
Normally this bleed won't last longer than a week, but if it feels excessive and goes on much longer than seven days, speak to your GP.
It's difficult to say exactly when you will have your first period 'off' the pill. This is because few women's bodies work like clockwork – most are affected by various factors, including external ones such as stress.
Side effects after one month
The synthetic hormones of the pill leave your body fairly quickly after you stop taking the pill. Within a month you may notice changes, including a change in vaginal discharge (it may become less dry), an increase in libido and a decrease in breast size. You may also notice weight loss (although this is just water weight) and a possible return of any cramps that you didn't experience when on the pill.
Side effects after three months
When you come off the pill, you may notice changes in your mood. Many women say they feel better, while some women report feeling worse, picking up again around month three. It could be a good idea to keep a diary of your mood changes, so you can track when you think these changes might be related to coming off the contraceptive pill or not.
Side effects after one year
Your periods should now be back to normal. If they're not, see your GP to chat through other possible factors.
What about coming off other forms of contraception?
Reversible contraceptives will not affect your fertility once you decide to stop using them. If you use an IUD or a contraceptive implant, then you will obviously need to have it removed. Contraceptive injections are effective for up to 12 weeks but it can often take longer for your fertility to return to normal – sometimes up to a year.
“Some women's bodies take time to adjust to being off the pill, so don't worry if it doesn't happen straight away. Just try and enjoy trying.”
“I stopped the pill after about eight years and got pregnant straight away (two weeks after my last period). DS was born 10 months ago. No problems dating the pregnancy either – probably because it happened immediately.”
“The doctor told me it could take a few months for my cycle to regulate but I didn't even have the chance to get one period – nine months later DS was born.”
“I was on the pill for 18 years non-stop, came off it after our honeymoon and was pregnant within three months.”
“It took about six months for my cycle to regulate itself. I then got pregnant after nearly a year.”
“I came off Mycrogynon after ten years and my periods went back to normal straight away – they are much less painful and are lighter and shorter than ever before, though.”