Stopping the contraceptive pill will almost certainly produce different effects in the bodies of different women. Before stopping the contraceptive pill, it is wise to recall the reasons the pill was initially prescribed, and assess which, if any, of those reasons have changed. Discussing possible side effects with a doctor, researching alternative birth control methods if necessary, and learning about how the female body behaves in the absence of a contraceptive pill are also important steps.
Taking the contraceptive pill puts hormones into the body that, in absence of the pill, the female body normally produces on its own. By stopping the contraceptive pill, the added hormones leave the body fairly quickly, usually in a couple of days, and the body is signaled to begin producing hormones by itself once again. These hormones are responsible for triggering ovulation and menstruation in women, but it may take time for the body to adjust to producing the hormones after stopping the pill. It is extremely common for women to experience a delay in the return of menstruation while their bodies begin to restore hormone levels, and also for periods to be sparse or irregular for the first couple of cycles as the body returns to normal.
Before stopping the contraceptive pill, it is important to consider why it was initially pursued. Most women, of course, take the pill to prevent pregnancy, and stop taking the pill when they wish to become pregnant. These women should know that, barring any exceptional fertility problems, they will be capable of becoming pregnant almost immediately after stopping the contraceptive pill. Women who are stopping the pill but do not wish to become pregnant should familiarize themselves with alternative methods of birth control, and be sure to begin using them immediately after stopping the pill.
Some women take birth control pills to regulate their menstrual cycles. Those who experienced irregular monthly periods before beginning the contraceptive pill will probably have irregular periods after stopping the pill, however it is also possible for women who had precisely regular periods pre-pill to have irregular periods, at least initially, post-pill. Since it is difficult to predict how individual bodies will react, it is wise to prepare for the possibilities of irregular periods, or spotting between periods.
Side effects, especially if they are particularly pronounced, may fade after stopping the contraceptive pill. Fluctuation in weight may occur, as well as changes in mood swings and temperament. Females who saw a reduction in acne or unpleasant premenstrual symptoms may experience resurgences, at least temporarily, while their bodies readjust to producing hormones without the pill.