Quitting The Pill

It can take up to six menstrual cycles for your reproductive system to recover from the effects of the birth control pill (BCP). During this time, you may experience a delay in returning to cycling. Since the pill has effects on the lining of the uterus, as well as the ovaries,it is not uncommon for women coming off BCPs to experience abnormal, or prolonged bleeding. Because your normal ovulatory function has been altered by the artificial hormones in the BCP, you may have irregular, or even painful ovulation in these first cycles. A few women do not ovulate for some time after discontinuing the pill.

In normal circumstances, a woman’s cycle length shortens as she ages. Your menstrual cycle will likely be shorter than it was before you began taking the BCP. Since you are over age 40, you are in what is called the perimenopause period of your life. During these years prior to menopause, women often experience hot flashes; these are sometimes more severe in women who stop using artificial hormones. Additionally, there is evidence that prolonged use of the BCP is a risk factor for developing breast cancer. I urge you to do monthly Self Breast Exams, and get regular mammograms.

You do not say whether you are planning to use an NFP method once you have stopped using the BCP. I strongly recommend that you learn and use one of the NFP methods available. Although fertility decreases as a woman ages, there is still a possibility you could conceive. NFP is as effective as the BCP and more effective than other means of avoiding pregnancy, and it provides the added benefit of providing a detailed record of your cycles.

Gail McNaughton, NP