Can You Really Go Off the Pill to Get Pregnant? Science Says
- The term 'ontpillen' (coming off the pill) almost sounds like your body needs to detox from something harmful, but that is not the case.
- For decades, doctors consistently advised women they didn't need to wait to get pregnant after stopping birth control pills.
- Though, a recent large-scale Dutch study conducted by the Radboudumc challenges this long-held belief.
Wat is ‘ontpillen’ eigenlijk?
The term ‘ontpillen’ (coming off the pill) almost sounds like your body needs to detox from something harmful, but that is not the case. By ‘ontpillen’ we mean the period in which your body resumes it’s own, natural hormone production.
taking a Break: Old Advice Versus New Insights
For decades, doctors consistently advised women they didn’t need to wait to get pregnant after stopping birth control pills. Research indicated no increased risk of miscarriage or birth defects if conception occurred immediately.
Though, a recent large-scale Dutch study conducted by the Radboudumc challenges this long-held belief. Published on January 26, 2026, in the journal The BMJ, the study followed 1,770 women between 2007 and 2018. Researchers found that women who became pregnant within one month of stopping hormonal contraception had a 38% higher risk of miscarriage compared to those who waited two or more months. the study adjusted for factors including age,BMI,smoking status,and previous pregnancies.
Specifically, the miscarriage rate for women conceiving within one month was 8.2% compared to 5.9% for those waiting two or more months. The study did not find a statistically significant difference in the risk of ectopic pregnancy or other pregnancy complications.
Dr. Fleur van der Klis, the lead researcher at Radboudumc, recommends women consider waiting at least two menstrual cycles – approximately two months – after stopping hormonal birth control before trying to conceive. “This allows the body to readjust its natural hormonal cycle,” Dr. van der Klis stated in a Radboudumc press release issued January 26, 2026.
The Dutch study builds on earlier research. A 2018 study published in Human Reproduction, involving 10,784 women, also suggested a possible link between immediate conception after stopping the pill and a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, though the findings were less conclusive.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has not yet updated its guidelines in response to the Radboudumc study. ACOG’s current recommendations, last reviewed in 2023, state that “there is no evidence to suggest that waiting a specific amount of time after stopping hormonal contraception improves pregnancy outcomes.” ACOG representatives indicated they are reviewing the new data.