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Many women who use hormonal contraception wonder if it could affect their later attempts to conceive. Especially after a long, several-year period of using this type of protection, numerous questions arise. What exactly is fertility like? Does ovulation occur right away or do you have to wait a while? Or is there a grace period after weaning off during which we can have sex without getting pregnant?
Unfortunately, there is no unequivocal answer to the above doubts. As usual, also in this case everything depends on the woman’s body. Each person can react very differently to stopping contraception. Of course, the basic function of this type of protection is to inhibit ovulation, but it should be remembered that ovulation will not be permanently inhibited. Therefore, if we do not want to get pregnant, no one will give us a guarantee that unprotected intercourse shortly after stopping the pill will not cause fertilization.
Ovulation after withdrawal. What to expect?
Hormonal pills are discontinued for various reasons. Some resign from them because of unpleasant side effects, for others it is the result of making a decision to change the form of contraception, and for others because of the desire to become pregnant. In healthy women, ovulation usually returns in the first cycle after stopping the pill. However, there are cases where ovulation occurs as early as the day after taking the last pill! Although it is recommended to use all the tablets in the blister before the end of taking them, a woman can stop taking them literally at any time.
When can you get pregnant?
The first menstrual period after stopping the use of contraception is called withdrawal bleeding. Only the next menstruation is the “real” and proper one. Nevertheless, if you have intercourse without any contraception (e.g. in the form of a condom) in each of these periods, there is a high probability of pregnancy.
What’s more, after stopping the pill, a woman’s fertility is usually increased, which is why multiple pregnancies are common in this type of case.
No period – when to worry?
Usually, the first thought about amenorrhea is that conception may have occurred. However, when this is not the cause, many women have serious concerns. It is worth knowing that for the first 3 months after stopping the pill, irregular menstrual cycles are possible. That’s why you don’t need to panic and wait three or even four months before planning a pregnancy to give your body time to regulate ovulation and its own hormonal balance. After discontinuation of contraception, bleeding may become heavier and more painful, and of varying length.
Consultation with a gynecologist will be necessary if menstrual bleeding does not occur for a long time or after 3 months it is still irregular. Intermenstrual spotting also requires a visit to a specialist. All of the above symptoms can be related to withdrawal of hormones, so they should certainly not be underestimated.