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There are just so many myths about the birth control pill I barely know where to start, but I wanted to address a few of the more common ones. One of the most common questions I get is:
“I’ve been on the pill for 2 years, so how long will I need to go off the pill before I want to get pregnant?”
The answer is 2 months.
“But I’ve been on the pill for 5 years, so how long will I need to go off the pill before I want to get pregnant?”
The answer is 2 months.
But I’ve been on the pill for 10 years, so how long will I need to go off the pill before I want to get pregnant?”
The answer is 2 months.
The good (or bad ) thing about the pill is that it has a short “half life.” It is only in your system for about 24 hours. That’s how people get ‘pregnant on the pill,’ they miss one or two and their ovary slips out an egg. There is not some kind of tolerance that your body builds up to the pill over time. There are a lot of women who think the longer they are on the pill the harder it is going to be to get pregnant. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Actually, if you are prone to ovarian cysts or have a history of endometriosis then being on the pill can be PROTECTIVE of your fertility. The pill helps prevent cysts from forming and endometriosis from growing. As a general rule, we recommend having one cycle off the pill and then try to conceive the month after that.
Another common myth is that you should give “your body a break” from the pill every few years. This is also not true. Now there are certain people who should not take the pill at all (such as smokers over the age of 35), and obviously if you don’t need the pill you shouldn't take it (yes, I know, I'm starting to sound like the announcer that talks fast at the end of the drug commercials). However, if you are happy with the pill and your doctor says that you have no medical problems that would interfere with it, then there is no need to give your body a break from it.
So, those of you considering pregnancy should definitely start taking prenatal vitamins, but don’t stop using birth control until you want to get pregnant. I was once asked by a patient (not Jess!) if she should stop her birth control pills when she started her clomid? Hmmmmmm. I’ll go with yes on that one.
FYI: if you are on the depo-provera shot, that is another story. It can take up to year for ovulation to return.
Thank you! I did not know that it was only in the system for about 24 hours - hence the importance of taking it at the same time every day. I knew I was supposed to take it at the same time every day, but knowing that it only stays in the system for 24 hours would have been an important piece of information for helping me to remember to actually take it at the same time... or setting an alarm. I also appreciate the info on cysts and endometriosis regarding birth control. Any tips on easing discomfort and pain from c-section scar tissue?
ReplyDeleteCarrie, scar tisue can be tricky. Usually nothing but surgery can remove the scar tissue itself, but sometimes physical therapy can help relieve the muscle pain associated with it.
ReplyDelete