What to Expect After 24 Years on the Pill
Question
I am a 42 year old female and I have been on birth control since I was 18 years old. I recently stopped taking them three months ago. Will I be able to get pregnant after being on BC that long? If so, what’s a reasonable amount of time before I can conceive?
Also my face is breaking out something terrible. Is that normal? And lastly, after intercourse the other night I noticed a pinkish discharge. I went to the doctor and she did wet mounts which were negative and stated that it was possibly post coital bleeding. Should I be concerned about cervical cancer?
Sorry for all the questions, I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you in advance.
Daphne
Answer
Last Updated: May 8, 2022
Dear Daphne,
Great to hear you have stopped taking the pill (artificial hormones). It is unusual for an MD to even give them to women over 35 years of age. If you have the literature from the package read it. It may take your body some time to eliminate the artificial hormones. The Creighton Model Fertility Care System recommends waiting six months before trying to achieve a pregnancy.
You mention post coital bleeding and negative cultures. Since you are a long-term user there is a 62% increased risk for cervical cancer. (Quoted from American Cancer Society web pages based on research reported in Lancet #361, 2007.)
I would recommend you find an NFP teacher in your area or off the CANFP web site if you live in California and learn to monitor your cycles. Also if you have not had a Pap test done in the past year to get one done, as well as a mammogram, and thyroid blood work.
I wish you the best.
Theresa Mitchell FCP
Great to hear you have stopped taking the pill (artificial hormones). It is unusual for an MD to even give them to women over 35 years of age. If you have the literature from the package read it. It may take your body some time to eliminate the artificial hormones. The Creighton Model Fertility Care System recommends waiting six months before trying to achieve a pregnancy.
You mention post coital bleeding and negative cultures. Since you are a long-term user there is a 62% increased risk for cervical cancer. (Quoted from American Cancer Society web pages based on research reported in Lancet #361, 2007.)
I would recommend you find an NFP teacher in your area or off the CANFP web site if you live in California and learn to monitor your cycles. Also if you have not had a Pap test done in the past year to get one done, as well as a mammogram, and thyroid blood work.
I wish you the best.
Theresa Mitchell FCP
Answered By:
Theresa Mitchell, RN
Theresa Mitchell, RN, taught the Creighton Model FertilityCare System in the Oakland region.
