DR BARTER’S ADVICE TO ANYONE CONSIDERING COMING OFF THE PILL

There’s no need to consult a doctor before you take the decision to ditch your contraception,

unless you’re using it to treat a condition like endometriosis or fibroids.

You can stop taking the pill at any time,

but if you wait until you’ve finished a strip, you’ll have an idea of where you are in your cycle (and when your period is likely to start).

Keep track of your period dates.

That way, you’ll be clear on how regular your natural cycle is.

If your periods don’t come back after three months,

and you’re sure you aren’t pregnant, go to see your doctor. There’s usually a cause for irregular periods, so it’s worth trying to figure it out.

You can become fertile again within one week of stopping the pill,

so make sure to use other protection if you don’t plan on getting pregnant.

If you’re coming off the pill with a view to conceive, you need to do the prep.

Carry out a mental checklist of how fit and healthy you are. Are you on any medications that might affect a pregnancy? Do you take recreational drugs? Do you smoke? How much alcohol you drink? It’s more important than you might think.