Would it be possible to taper off combined birth control medication by splitting the pill?

Question

I'm taking Yaz to manage my PCOS, but I'm afraid to stop taking it "cold turkey", because my body doesn't react well to sudden changes in hormone levels, so "post-birth control syndrome" is likely. Since I am not relying on the pill for contraceptive purposes, I am wondering if it would be okay to create a sort of tapering plan by splitting the pill into halves/quarters.

Naji-tom Samaha · Accepted Answer

Hello Ma'am, thank you for your question. To this day, there is no indication or evidence that support the need to taper oral contraceptives. They can be stopped whenever you please and your body will be more than capable of taking over the hormonal balance. I have to point out that there is no concrete evidence supporting the existence of post birth control syndrome. With that said, PCOS can cause irregularities in the hormonal cycle, and I strongly suggest you discuss stopping your treatment with your doctor so you can both evaluate the next steps and/or alternatives if need be. Kindest regards, Tom Samaha, pharmacist