I’m not sure as to whether you are taking the Combined pill or the Progesterone only pill. Ideally, it is easier to stop taking either pill at the end of the packet. This way you will have a withdrawal bleed as usual and then your next bleed will be a natural period. Don’t worry if your normal periods don’t start immediately. For some women it can take a few months for you menstrual cycle to return, it is a good idea to keep a note of the dates of your menstrual periods. Some doctors recommend allowing a month or two for your body to adjust itself to its natural cycle before conception. Others point out that the hormones are eliminated from your system as soon as you have your next menstrual period, and believe there’s no point in waiting.
If you want to try for a baby it helps to wait for one natural period before trying to get pregnant. This means the pregnancy can be dated more accurately and you can start pre-pregnancy care such as taking folic acid and stopping smoking. You can ask your doctor or nurse for advice. Don’t worry if you do get pregnant sooner, it will not harm the baby.
If you are planning on becoming pregnant it would be wise to start taking a folic acid supplement (400 micrograms daily) as soon as you stop your pill as this has been shown to reduce the risk of spina bifida in the baby1.
1 Periconceptional Folic Acid and Food Fortification in the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects; Scientific Advisory Committee; Opinion Paper 4
April 2003
