Behold: All The Possible Side Effects of Ditching Birth Control None of them are super serious, JSYK. Image Source Whether you've been on your current birth control for a few months or few years, the idea of stopping it can honestly be kinda scary. I know I was a lil nervous when I decided to ditch my IUD in favor of the pill, at least. I had read wayyy too many Reddit threads about what could go wrong post-removal (think: heavy, constant bleeding, and v painful cramps). But if you're in the same boat, I have good news: According to Nicola Pemberton, MD, medical director of Artemis OB/GYN and The Birth Center of New Jersey, you shouldn't be worried or scared about stopping birth control because of potential side effects (phew). Most of the time, you'll just lose certain benefits that your BC gave you, like lighter periods or clearer skin, adds Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine.