Birth Control Pills and Fertility

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Med/Surg, Family Practice.

I have a question that I am somewhat embarrassed to ask as I feel I should already know the answer... :brnfrt: Not to mention, I've heard differing opinions in the past regarding this topic and would like some clarification. My question is: Does taking birth control pills for an extended period of time (say...longer than 5 or 10 years, for example) adversely effect a woman's fertility? The general consensus I've come up with is "no", but I have heard other opinions as well. I'm torn as to what to believe because I could see fertility being effected since BCP suppresses ovulation, basically telling the body "you're already pregnant, don't ovulate." Could it then possibly cause an issue once a woman goes off the BCP and wants to ovulate and become pregnant?

Any information, personal accounts, or patients with an issue similar to my hypothetical would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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I'm not a nurse yet (June can't come fast enough for me hehe). Anyway, I am more a believer that it doesn't affect fertility. I've been told by several OB/GYN's that long term use of BC's don't affect fertiltiy. I've also heard from one or two that a woman seems to be fertile Myrtle after stopping the pill or they have a delay in getting pregnant (nothing more than a year)

My personal experience. I had been on BC pills for YEARS. Put on at the age of 14 for out of control periods (I got my first period at a young age, 10!). Heavy, debilitating, painful, unpredictable. From 14 to 23 I took them religiously every single morning at 8am. They worked like a charm, finally had normal, regulated periods, no pain, no more heavy flow etc.

At 23, I had the flu pretty bad. I was vomiting and having diarrhea constantly. Lo and behold, the next period due after that didn't come. My periods were like clockwork. Q28 days on Monday morning. I took a pregnancy test and yup, I was pregnant. Doc told me if I ever vomited within 1/2 hr of taking it I should take another since it wasn't in my system long enough to be put into the bloodstream. Yeah, that advice was a bit late!!

Several friends and many family memebers, also long term BC pill users have also become pregnant very quickly after stopping the pill. Some decided to try to become pregnant, others had meds that must have affected the pills effectiveness. My sister became pregnant (like me on the pill for YEARS) after taking a few rounds of antibiotics. She had never been told to use a backup when using ab's since they can affect how the pill works.

I've also heard people saying it took a while to get pregnant after stopping the pill. But the majority of people I have known have become pregnant very quickly after stopping long term use of the Pill.

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I was on the Pill for about 7 years and got pregnant the month that we started trying to. And every time after that I was always pregnant right away. I have three little girls who tell me the answer is no.

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Specializes in LTC, med-surg.

I was on the pill for 9 years, stopped taking it 3 years go and have been trying unsuccessfully in the last 18 months to become pregnant. I don't believe it has to do with my use of BC. I've heard of and known so many people that got pregnant on or just off the pill that I think it does not affect fertility. I am sure there are a few that would say otherwise.

Diana

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Specializes in GYN-ONC, MED/ONC, HEM/ONC.

From the literature I have read...the return of fertility, that is, the ability to get pregnant either purposefully or not, after stopping the pill depends on the pill and the person's baseline fertility. Certain methods such as Depot Provera can take 11-18 months for fertility to return if one has been on it for many years. I would think that in the absence of exogenous hormones one should immediately be able to get pregnant, which is why we tell people that if they miss a pill, or do not start a new pack on schedule that they need to use backup protection (or emergency contraception) depending on the situation, because they could get pregnant.

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My mother-in-law forgot her birth control pills one weekend when they went out of town. Nine months later my husband and his twin brother were born.

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Specializes in geriatrics, L&D, newborns.

My youngest sister and my daughter both got pregnant almost immediately after stopping the BCP. My daughter got pregnant with twins the first week-end she tried to get pregnant.:bugeyes:

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