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Fertility after the Pill

The Pill and Fertility: Becoming Pregnant After The Pill

The advent of the birth control pill ushered in the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s - and to this day, the pill is a leading method in keeping fertility "in check" until the time is right to conceive a baby.

The pill functions by affecting female hormonal balance - inhibiting ovulation (the release of the ovum or egg by the ovarian follicle. By suppressing ovulation, no ovum or egg is available for fertilization.

There are three primary hormones responsible for regulating fertility and either supporting or hindering conception (luteinizing hormone, estrogen and progesterone). These female hormones facilitate ovulation - or they can contribute to the contraceptive aspect of the pill in suppressing ovulation. In taking the pill daily, you are providing your body with constant flow of estrogen and progesterone and your body is "tricked" into believing you are pregnant. In effect, when you take the pill, your hormone levels suggest a condition of pregnancy. The result: Your body decreases the production of hormones like LH that are necessary to the maturation of the egg and ovulation. Without LH, ovulation will not occur. (You may recognize LH as the hormone detected by ovulation tests).

The following are some key questions that women who are looking to conceive in the future may ask.

First, does taking the pill impact fertility in the future?

The good news is that the pill has not be shown to decrease fertility (though it may take some time after you discontinue the pill for hormones levels to regulate). This can be a source of frustration for women who want to become pregnant immediatley after they stop taking the pill!

How long does it take for fertility to return after I go off of the pill?

If you are planning a pregnancy, it is not unusual for the body to take 3 months to get "synchronized" after going off the pill. In rare instances, it may take as long as 6 months. FertilAid for Women is a product commonly used by women coming off the pill to help restore optimal reproductive hormonal balance quickly.

How will I know if I don't ovulate after I go off of the pill?

If you do not get regular periods after 6 months of being off the pill, you are probably not ovulating normally and should see a doctor. Other easy ways to determine if you are ovulating include ovulation predictor testing, basal body temperature monitoring, and checking various body signs.

What can I do to become fertile after taking the pill?

The key is good health, a sound, sensible diet, exercise and reading up on fertility charting and how to predict ovulation, your most fertile time of the month. Some fertility supplements like FertilAid can also assist.

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Comments

I got off of YAZ in July after taking it for 2 and a half years. Since then my cycles have been very long (54 days, 60 days) It's so frusterating bc my husband and I have been trying to have a baby since the middle of Sept. We are "trying" often but I have no idea if or when I'm ovulating. I've read that if your cycle is 50-60 days you are most likely not ovulating, but at the same time, I've heard that it takes up to 6 months for your periods to return to normal after stopping bc. I'm just so confused, I want to know if what I'm going through is normal or if I should be concerned. HELP!

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Help - Nov 05, 2009
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hello
i come off microgynon 30 on 21st sept not taking last 2 pills in the pack started bleeding 24th sept till 28th sept so would that be a withdrawal bleed?
i then started bleeding 22nd oct till 25th oct so would this be my 1st true period after coming off microgynon 30?
this is the 1st time in 2 half yrs that i have come off the pill since starting the pill after having my son in may 2007

would be ever so thankful for any answer u may have

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Anonymous - Nov 03, 2009
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I also came off Yasmin in January after being on it for a year - Microgynon for 4 years previous to that. I have missed periods and been up to 3 weeks late for other. Haven't been on time since - minimum of 10 days late.
I went to the Dr's and they said this is normal I just need to let me body do what it needs to do to rebalance my hormones!!
This is extremely frustrating as i'm never sure whats going on. I get PMS symptoms when AF is due but then it doesn't come however the PMS stays Sad

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Frustrated - Oct 15, 2009
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Hello,
I stopped taking the pill in January this year (after being on it for 8 years) and my body hasn't gotten back into a a regular pattern yet. I had a period in March and then another in June, but it is now october and nothing.... I am due to go to the doctor to get blood tests taken to check if there is something wrong. I am worried that the pill has damaged my chances of getting pregnant. I am 24 years old and I thought this would be an easy experience. Anyway thanks for letting me vent.

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worried - Oct 04, 2009
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First Day of Last Period:
Cycle Length:
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Luteal Phase Length:
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Ovulation:
Due Date:
Fetal Age:

Note that you are most likely to get pregnant if you time your lovemaking to occur on the days right before - and on - your ovulation date. Keep in mind that the projected ovulation date above is simply a “best guess” estimate based on your cycle date information. The most accurate way to pinpoint your most fertile time is through the use of urine-based ovulation tests or with a fertility monitor. We have partnered with Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com, the Internet’s leading supplier of preconception products since 2001, to offer low-cost, FDA-approved pregnancy and ovulation tests – with free same-day shipping.

 

Now that you’ve calculated your ovulation date using our ovulation calculator, we have a number of other helpful tools you can use to help increase your chances of conceiving.

 

  • Create your own personalized ovulation calendar! You can even provide an email address so that you receive email alerts of your most fertile days, when you can begin testing for pregnancy, and more.
     

  • Create your own personalized fertility chart! This is a highly accurate way to pinpoint your ovulation date that relies primarily on basal temperature charting. (Visit Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com for an accurate, inexpensive basal thermometer.)
     

  • Connect with others at our online community! If you have questions about trying-to-conceive – or if you just want to vent a bit – we have a wonderful, vibrant community of people who’d just love to hear from you.

Find your most fertile time.
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