How does birth control work.Discontinuing Contraception It's important to continue using some form of contraception until you are ready to get pregnant. If you are in the middle of treatment for a medical problem or if you are undergoing tests, finish the course of treatment or tests before trying to conceive. (If you're not using some form of birth control, you're basically trying to get pregnant.) After discontinuing your regular contraceptive, use some other birth control method until your periods become normal. You can choose from condoms, spermicides, the sponge or a diaphragm. Birth Control Pills Most doctors recommend you have two or three normal periods after you stop taking birth-control pills before you get pregnant. If you get pregnant immediately after stopping oral contraceptives, it may be difficult to determine when you conceived. This can make it harder to determine your due date. This may not seem important now, but it will be very important to you during pregnancy and at the end of your pregnancy. lUDs If you have an IUD (intrauterine device), you must have it removed before you try to conceive. If you have any sign of infection with an IUD, take care of it before trying to get pregnant. The best time to remove an IUD is during a menstrual period. Norplant If you use Norplant, you should have at least two or three normal menstrual cycles after it is removed before trying to get pregnant. It may take a few months for your periods to return to normal after Norplant is removed. If you get pregnant immediately after removing Norplant, it may be difficult to determine when you got pregnant and what your due date is. Depo Provera Depo provera, a hormone injection used for birth control, should be discontinued for at least 3 to 6 months before trying to conceive. Wait until you have had at least two or three normal periods.
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