Pregnancy and The Pill
and
Your fertility Status

Pregnancy and the pill are normally only associated when stopping the pill and trying to conceive. Many women use the pill as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. It is one of the foremost leading methods of contraception, have being used for over 50 years. Women take the pill for many years at a time, as an effective and safe method of contraception.

For those coming off the pill and discontinue taking such hormones, are surprised when their monthly cycles don't resume, in the same regular manner as when taking the pill. Monthly cycles are artificially produced, hence their regular, almost perfect cycles of 28 days.

Ovulation implications

After going off the pill, ovulation may not necessarily resume immediately. This could be due to the over suppression of the functions of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Factors such as irregular periods or anovulation may be experienced for some months after stopping the pill.

Cycle disruptions

There are a number of disruptions to the monthly cycle that may be experienced for several months afterwards. In some cases this may even be up to a year, before cycles become "normal" again. These normal ovulation signs may be effected:

• Temperatures (charting must take place to notice these symptoms - ovulation chart)
  • false high temperatures
  • temperature readings and cervical fluid readings will not be in sync
• Cervical fluid
  • lack of or absence of the essential ovulatory cervical fluid
  • cervical fluid that remains watery or milky in consistency
  • erratic patterns and patches of different consistency
• Luteal Phase
  • short luteal phase - resulting from lack of progesterone (progesterone infertility)
  • an unsuitable ovulation
• Bleeding
  • heavier, redder bleeding than experienced when taking the hormone pill
  • irregular pre ovulatory bleeding and spotting in the luteal phase
  • poor/seemingly light menstrual flow, following ovulation

Pregnancy and the Pill

Fortunately in most instances, cycles do revert back to normal, after some time. However, the length of time varies among women, quiet considerably. For some, it is almost immediate. For others it may be a few months, or in many cases, as long as a year. The time span depends on the type and dosage of the hormones used, as well as the individual woman's circumstances.

Stress can be an important factor to consider. (Pressure from wanting to fall pregnant and not wanting to disappoint partner and family).

Women who are thin, or who may have lost weight, due to the hormones taken, may experience these irregular cycles. In others, it may take longer to clear out of their systems.

Once cycles are back to normal, short luteal phases may be experienced. Therefore it may appear as if all cycle issues have been overcome, but this is also a concerning condition when trying to fall pregnant.

Factors to consider

In the event that a woman's cycle was irregular before commencing on the contraceptive pill, in all likely hood, these same irregular cycles will return. If cycles remain longer than 36 days, then consult with your doctor to decide on a treatment and action plan.

For some, patience is required for a few months, before the monthly cycle resumes normally. Monitoring of the three cycle phases is a means of knowing when all functions have returned to normal. The added advantage will be the patterns of cycles and ovulation, that emerge, making it easier to time intercourse around ovulation.

In the event of cycles not resuming in a normal way, there are options to consider. Lifestyle, diet and infertility changes are always at the top of the list to be examined, when experiencing problems with the monthly cycle. However in many cases, a consultation with a doctor is recommended for further investigation to establish why irregular cycles or anovulation is being experienced.

Lack of pregnancy and the pill, once stopped, may see ovulation delayed for some months.

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