As long as you are generally healthy, you can safely take birth control pills for however long you need birth control or until you reach menopause. This applies to both combination estrogen-progestin and progestin-only birth control pills.
Is it bad to be on birth control for 10 years?
Is being on birth control for 10 years bad?
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.
Is it unhealthy to be on birth control for a long time?
The pill is generally safe to take over a long period of time. But there is some research that suggests it might raise your risks of developing some types of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, taking birth control pills may increase your risk of breast cancer or cervical cancer over time.
At what age should I stop taking birth control?
For safety reasons, women are advised to stop the combined pill at 50 and change to a progestogen-only pill or other method of contraception. It is sensible to use a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms, to avoid getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), even after the menopause.
Can you get pregnant after being on birth control for years?
But most women can get pregnant within a year. One study even found that women who took the pill for more than 4 or 5 years were more fertile than those who used it for 2 years or less. If you've been using the progestin-only pill, called the “minipill,” it's possible to get pregnant days or weeks after you quit.
Should you 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.
What age should you stop taking birth control?
For safety reasons, women are advised to stop the combined pill at 50 and change to a progestogen-only pill or other method of contraception. It is sensible to use a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms, to avoid getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), even after the menopause.
Is it healthy to go on and off birth control?
It's not dangerous or harmful to go on and off the pill. But any time there's a change in your hormones, there's a chance of temporary side effects, like changes to your period. These usually go away after a few months, and eventually your body will go back to the way it was before you went on the pill.
How long can you stay on birth control?
Answer From Yvonne Butler Tobah, M.D. As long as you are generally healthy, you can safely take birth control pills for however long you need birth control or until you reach menopause. This applies to both combination estrogen-progestin and progestin-only birth control pills.