Over time, your birth control may no longer fit your lifestyle, or you are trying to change it for a number of reasons. It is normal and perfectly safe to switch birth control methods as long as you speak to your doctor first. Learning about different types of birth control and switching safely will help you find the best method for you.
Why might you want to switch birth control methods?
It might be a good time to consider a new form of birth control if:
You forget to take your pill. If you forget to take your pill at the same time each day, you are at higher risk of becoming pregnant. If setting alarms or setting reminders still hasn’t helped you stay on the pill, there are several methods you should investigate.
Some other methods to consider include barrier methods like condoms, inner condoms, cervical caps, the sponge, or the diaphragm. While you still need to remember to use these before you have sex, you don’t have to remember to take a pill every day.
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You can change the implant (which can be effective for up to 4 years), the IUD (which can last 5 to 10 years), the patch (you only have to change it once a week) or the implant ring (which lasts 3 weeks at a time can be effective for a long time).
They don’t like the side effects. You can experience some side effects when starting a new form of birth control. Give your body a few months to adjust to the new method and then see if the side effects go away. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure what is normal or not.
If you find that the side effects of your current birth control are not working for you, it is time to look into other methods. Cybill Esguerra, MD, Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, notes that side effects are the most common reason for a change in birth control.
“It’s either unplanned bleeding or pain. For example in the case of an IUD, ”she says. “Other things people discuss are weight gain, skin changes, or mood swings.”
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There are several types of unpleasant side effects that you may experience from using birth control. But just because one form of hormonal birth control didn’t work for you doesn’t mean another type won’t. However, if you’d rather use a non-hormonal form of birth control, you can also explore the different types of barrier methods.
They don’t like abnormal periods. One specific side effect of birth control is changes in your period. You may have spots, notice changes in your cycles, or stop your periods altogether while using contraception. A copper IUD (Paragard) could make your periods heavier, while hormonal IUDs (Kyleena, Liletta, Mirena, and Skyla) could stop or make your periods easier.
Missed periods due to birth control can make you fearful of being pregnant. Or, you’re just fed up with irregular cycles. Whatever the reason, it might be a good idea to research how other forms of birth control can affect your periods. That way, you can look for new options that might work for you.
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You worry about protection. You may find that your current form of birth control is not protecting you against pregnancy as well as you would like. If you feel nervous every time you have sex or if your periods are irregular, you should do some research on how effective birth control is. Take a look at how effective your type of birth control is and see if there are any ways to increase its success (such as using a condom or taking birth control pills).
However, if you still find that your current method is not what you want, speak to your doctor about the effectiveness of other methods.
If you have concerns about staying protected from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), use condoms or internal condoms instead of or in addition to your current method of contraception. These two types of condoms are the only forms of birth control that can prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
How to safely switch birth control methods
If you do decide to change your method of contraception, it is important to do it correctly to make sure you are protected from pregnancy.
You should switch directly from one method of contraception to the next without taking breaks. If you are taking birth control pills, you do not need to stop your current pack before starting a new method of contraception in order to be protected. However, Esguerra recommends that people complete their original contraceptive pack before replacing, to make the transition as seamless as possible in terms of side effects.
After switching methods, you may notice some changes in your period. But that’s normal and nothing to worry about.
Depending on which birth control method you are on and what type you are switching to, you may need to overlap them. This means that you need to start your new birth control before exiting the old birth control. Each type requires a different overlap time, and some do not require any. Ask your doctor if you need to overlap because of your current and new contraceptive.
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If you don’t want to overlap your birth controls, you can use a backup method. This means that you are using either a condom or a spermicide while otherwise you would overlap with your birth control methods.
Backup methods provide you with additional security when changing contraceptive methods. “In general, every time you start a new method, you want to use a backup method for a week,” says Esguerra.
Side effects of changing contraceptive methods
When you switch to a new type of birth control, your bleeding is often irregular for a few months. If you get an IUD, you may also have discomfort or cramps after it is inserted. But both side effects should get better over time.
Depending on which method you switch to, hormonal birth control methods can also cause unwanted side effects. However, these should go away within 3-5 months of continuing to use your new method. You might notice:
- Acne (more common with progestin-only methods, less often with combined pills and Nuvaring)
- Amenorrhea or loss of your period (more common with Depo-Provera, Implanon, Mirena, combined pills with continuous cycle, Nuvaring, less often with combined pills or pills with progestin only)
- Breast tenderness (more common with Ortho Evra, less common with combined pills or Nuvaring)
- Low sex drive
- Depressed mood (more common with Depo-Provera, less often with Nuvaring)
- Headache (common with all hormonal methods)
- Unwanted hair growth (more common with progestin-only methods, less often with combined pills)
- More vaginal discharge (more common with Nuvaring, less common with all other methods)
- Nausea (more common with Ortho Evra, less common with Nuvaring)
- Oily skin (more common with progestin-only methods, less often with combined pills)
- Weight gain (more common with Depo-Provera, less often with combined hormonal methods, Mirena, or progestin-only pills)
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To relieve pain during your transition period, Esguerra recommends taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen, or warm compresses. However, if the pain seems to get worse, especially after an IUD insertion, it is best to contact your doctor as soon as possible. That way, you can make sure nothing else is wrong.
Esguerra encourages people to stand up for their bodies and ask questions when it comes to switching birth control methods.
“I think women should feel very empowered to schedule an appointment just for contraception advice,” she says. “You shouldn’t feel like you have to know what you want before making an appointment with your gynecologist.”
As always, it is best to speak to your doctor about your birth control wants and needs. They can help you find the best contraception for your body.
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