Introduction
Ovulation occurs with a certain regularity around the middle of the cycle, usually on the 14th day of the cycle. Usually ovulation goes unnoticed, but a woman may feel a slight pain, also known as moderate pain. Less frequently, very weak bleeding also occurs.
The question of whether ovulation can be postponed is particularly important for contraception. Modern, hormonal contraceptives can suppress ovulation. This suppression of ovulation is often referred to as “postponement”. Often not only ovulation but also menstrual bleeding is postponed by taking the pill continuously.
Is it possible to postpone ovulation?
Ovulation takes place around the 14th day of the cycle, i.e. in the middle of the cycle. Without the use of hormonal contraceptives and with unprotected intercourse, pregnancy can occur during this time. Ovulation takes place once a month from the first menstrual bleeding in a regular cycle until the menopause occurs.
Ovulation can be suppressed by taking hormonal contraceptives such as the pill. This is often referred to as “postponing” ovulation. Not every hormonal contraceptive suppresses ovulation.
Only combined contraceptives that contain both the hormone estrogen and progestin prevent ovulation by more than 99%. Progestogen-only pills, also known as the minipill, have a contraceptive effect via other mechanisms. However, ovulation is not reliably prevented or suppressed by a progestogen-only pill.
Combination pills containing both estrogen and progestin delay ovulation as follows: Through a combination of different mechanisms, the hormones prevent the release of the hormone GnRH in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is located in the diencephalon and produces the hormone GnRH, which in turn prevents the release of the hormone LH in the so-called pituitary gland, a hormonal gland in the base of the skull. This LH (luteinizing hormone) normally has its highest concentration immediately before ovulation and triggers it.
By suppressing this so-called LH peak, ovulation is suppressed or delayed. As soon as the hormonal contraceptive is discontinued, ovulation occurs again. If you have been taking and suppressing ovulation for many years, irregular cycles may occur in the first few months after stopping the pill.
However, these are not permanent and normal ovulation is still possible. Some women often equate postponing ovulation with postponing menstrual bleeding – but this is not the case. Menstrual bleeding can be postponed by taking the pill continuously.
This means that there is no seven-day break in taking the pill. This suppresses and delays menstrual bleeding. However, ovulation is always suppressed by combined pills, regardless of whether the pill is taken with or without the seven-day break.
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