I have been taking Alesse 28 for 10 years now. I would like to stop very soon because my boyfriend and I want to have a child. How do I proceed?

Question

We want to have a child within a year or two. I want to stop soon to give my body time to resume its "natural" cycle. We have already planned to use condoms as an alternative method of contraception. Do I have to stop at a specific point in the cycle, like at the end of the pack, for example? Also, I would like to know what the side effects are of stopping the birth control pill after more than 10 years of using it? Thanks a lot :)

Alexandre Chagnon · Accepted Answer

Hello Ma'am, First of all, congratulations on this big life milestone! Know that it is recognized that you don't have to go off the pill several cycles before you conceive. 😊 You may very well be pregnant as soon as the cycle after stopping the pill, and your baby will do just fine! As for stopping during a cycle, rather than at the end of the pill pack, that won't make much difference either. Be aware, however, that by stopping in the middle of the cycle, your period will start earlier. Finally, some women feel that the amount of menstruation is greater when they are off the pill, while others find that they get a little acne again. Others don't feel any "side" effects. It's really unique to each person :) Good evening, Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist