Is it good to take a break from birth control?

Taking an occasional break from birth control pills offers no benefits and may increase the risk of blood clots or unintended pregnancy. If you’re concerned about long-term use of birth control pills, discuss the risks and benefits with your health care provider.

When should I go off birth control?

There’s no need to wean yourself off hormonal birth control, and you don’t have to wait until an entire pack of pills is completed to stop taking them. The hormones from oral contraceptives don’t stay in your body after you’ve stopped, so you also don’t have to worry about lingering effects.

Does birth control increase risk of breast cancer?

Yes, according to the latest research. A study of more than 100,000 women suggests that the increased breast cancer risk associated with birth control pills is highest among older women. The study found that the risk of breast cancer was greatest among women aged 45 and over who were still using the pill.

Is long term birth control bad for you?

Assuming you’re healthy, long-term use of birth control pills should have no adverse impact on your health. Taking a break now and then appears to have no medical benefit. Long-term birth control use generally doesn’t harm your ability to get pregnant and have a healthy baby once you no longer take it.

Will I gain weight coming off the pill?

After stopping birth control, it is normal for the body to experience some changes. One of these changes is an increase in PMS-related symptoms, including bloating. This bloating is a direct result of increased water retention; in many cases, this increased retention leads to weight gain.

Is it easier to lose weight off the pill?

Women who used a progestin-only type (like injections, hormonal IUDs, or pills) may have gained a few pounds, so the scale might go down when they stop using them. If you want to lose weight, though, you’ll probably get more results from a better diet and more exercise than from going off your birth control.