Expert: Bob Kambic - 5/18/2007

Question
I have been taking birth control for over four years, and a couple years ago switched to the patch. I heard a lot about the risks of using this birth control method and decided to go off of birth control for a while and give my body a break. My boyfriend and I continued using condoms, but of course the first time without birth control, the condom came off inside of me. He was pulling out when it happened, so wasn't concerned. I on the other hand chose to take the Plan B or the "morning after pill" just to be on the extra safe side. With everything that has happened, I don't know when to expect my period. I've heard that going off birth control can change the regularity of your period. And I'm not sure how this "Plan B" will affect things either. Any advice?

Answer
Coming off the pill, some women return to normal cycling with no problem, others take sometime to resume normal cycling. You can't predict what will happen because all women are different.

I suggest monitoring fertility will increase your understanding of all this and your confidence that your body is working correctly. Check http://www.irh.org/nfp.htm

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/HelpCenter/FFBook/ff_fertility_signs.html

Be sure to try to get a teacher to work with you until you really understand your fertility.