Birth control out of system?

MarySunshine · Sep 10, 2005

Good question. I've heard that soon after stopping the pill there is often a hormonal surge of some sort resulting in a very fertile time, which even increases the chances of multiple gestation. In fact, some fertility clinics will put women on the pill for several months then take them off and have them "get busy'' in the month or two following to increase their chance of conceiving. On the other hand, I've heard people advise women to wait 3 months after stopping the pill before trying to conceive.

Sorry I am not able to answer your question EvinsAngel, I hope someone can because I'm interested in the answer myself.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 10, 2005

Hello everyone. I have a question and I feel really silly for asking, but a friend of mine just asked me how long it takes for birth control pills to "clear" your system. I am currently only a student and I have no experience with birth control pills. Could someone please shed some light on this for me. Specifically, I think she wants to know how long she should wait in trying to conceive once she's stopped taking them. Thanks for your help.

Very good question.

When trying to concieve, I instruct my patients to wait 3 menstrual cycles. Not 3 months for it may take more than 3 months to have 3 cycles. This is especially true for the woman who has been on the pill for any great length of time.

The oc is "out of the system" as for contraception immediately. The woman can still have "side effects" from the oc up to 6 weeks after dc. Headaches can last up to six weeks, for example.....

EvinsAngel · Sep 10, 2005

Thanks Siri :wink2:

Very good question.
When trying to concieve, I instruct my patients to wait 3 menstrual cycles. Not 3 months for it may take more than 3 months to have 3 cycles. This is especially true for the woman who has been on the pill for any great length of time.
The oc is "out of the system" as for contraception immediately. The woman can still have "side effects" from the oc up to 6 weeks after dc. Headaches can last up to six weeks, for example.....

JaneyW · Sep 10, 2005

My own personal experience: I have been on the pill continuously for about 20 years other than the three times I stopped to have my children. The first one was conceived the second month, the second was conceived the first month and the third was conceived the second month. The second one actually ruined an Hawaiin vacation for me because I didn't think I could get pregnant so fast!

If you have been on the pill for a while and then go off, you will have some side-effects. My ovaries swelled up and it was quite painful. My MD assured me that it was normal. I have PLENTY of friends who have gotten pregnant while on the pill after missing a day or two. I would suggest to not stop taking them until you are ready to have a baby!

BowlerRN · Sep 26, 2005

I know that most women are able to get pregnant within 1 year of being on Depo, I just stopped getting it after 2years, Just wondered if there's a certain period of time I need to wait to try to conceive, to prevent any complications due to the depo?

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 26, 2005

I know that most women are able to get pregnant within 1 year of being on Depo, I just stopped getting it after 2years, Just wondered if there's a certain period of time I need to wait to try to conceive, to prevent any complications due to the depo?

Hello, NDodd,:balloons:

IMHO, any woman coming off any drug which suppresses ovulation should wait until they have three (3) consecutive menstrual cycles before trying to conceive. I use this advice with my patients.