Give Up the Pill Before the Honeymoon?

Q: Would there be any short-term side effects if my fiancée stopped taking her birth control pills? We are getting married in 11 days. Should she wait until after the wedding to stop taking them?

-- W.T.

Dr. Donnica: The only short term "side effect" that you might have to worry about is pregnancy! While it has never been proven, many anecdotal reports suggest that women are more likely to get pregnant immediately after stopping the Pill. She also probably doesn't want to get her period during your honeymoon, so she may want to do the math and count up the days from the time she anticipates stopping the Pill until you return from your honeymoon.

Some women find that they have more PMS-type symptoms the week before their period when they're off the Pill as well as heavier cramping, heavier periods and increased acne. The good news is that many women report increased libido and decreased appetite when they're off the Pill.

Congratulations and good luck!

Best regards,
Donnica Moore, M.D.
President, DrDonnica.com

Created: 9/6/2003  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.