Introduction
Women who take the pill supply their bodies with comparatively large amounts of hormones. Although the hormones contained in the most common pills also occur naturally in the body, they are subject to strict, cycle-dependent regulation. To prevent excessive circulation of these hormones within the bloodstream, the ovaries in particular can reduce production.
However, depending on the actual cycle-dependent requirement, the hormone production by the ovaries can also be increased. In this way, the organism is able to precisely control each stage of the natural menstrual cycle. An imbalance within the hormone balance can, for example, prevent an egg from maturing during the cycle and thus prevent fertilization.
This can be devastating, especially for women with an existing desire to have children. Suppressing ovulation by influencing the natural hormone balance can also be desirable. For example, women who take the so-called minipill as a contraceptive can thus prevent unwanted conception.
Classic minipills influence the natural menstrual cycle in such a way that ovulation itself is not prevented. However, the mechanism of action of the classic minipill is based on a disorder in the structure of the uterine mucosa. However, this must reach a certain thickness to absorb a fertilized egg.
By influencing the cycle-dependent structure of the uterine lining, classic minipills can thus reliably prevent conception. In addition, some of the known pills stimulate the formation of a viscous plug of mucus at the entrance to the uterus. This plug of mucus is almost impermeable to sperm and can thus further reduce the probability of fertilization of an egg.
The Pill is now considered one of the most reliable contraceptives. However, the effectiveness of the pill can only be guaranteed if it is taken properly. In addition, women who take the pill regularly should be aware that the intervention in the natural hormone balance can lead to numerous side effects.
Consequences of weaning
Most women will at some point inevitably be faced with the decision to stop using the pill or similar hormonal contraceptives. But what exactly happens in the body when you stop taking the pill? First and foremost, it is important to remember that the natural hormone balance is slowly restored when you stop taking the pill.
As a result, irregularities in the natural menstrual cycle can occur for the time being. Despite discontinuing the pill, it usually takes several months before fertility is restored. Stopping the pill should always be very carefully considered.
This is because, regardless of whether you want to have a child when you stop taking the pill or whether you stop taking the pill to avoid sexual intercourse, the body can react strongly. For this reason, the pill should never be discontinued at short notice. Ideally, women who plan to stop taking the pill should contact their gynecologist beforehand.
The doctor can also explain to the patient exactly what happens when she stops taking the pill. As a rule, however, it should be assumed that the following complaints can occur, especially during the acute phase of the changeover: irregular menstrual bleeding weakened or increased menstrual bleeding absence of menstrual bleeding absence of ovulation changes in the composition and quantity of cervical mucus skin impurities skin rashes scaly or oily hair hair loss
- Irregular menstrual bleeding
- Decreased or increased menstrual bleeding
- Absence of menstrual bleeding
- Absence of ovulation
- Changes in the composition and quantity of cervical mucus
- Skin impurities
- Skin rashes
- Scaly or greasy hair
- Hair Loss
Fertility itself, however, is not affected by long-term pill use. Even women who have been taking the pill for years can become pregnant again within a few months after discontinuing the hormonal contraceptive.In addition to the symptoms already mentioned, which can occur shortly after stopping the pill, hormone withdrawal also has positive effects on the body.
The significant interference with the natural hormone balance also increases the risk of blood clots (thrombosis) forming while taking the pill. As a result, strokes and/or pulmonary embolism can occur. For this reason, women taking the pill should check with their doctor a few weeks before a planned major operation whether they can continue taking the pill.
In some cases it is mandatory to stop taking the pill. This is the case, for example, with operations that restrict mobility over a longer period of time or cause prolonged bed-riddenness. Otherwise there is a risk of thrombosis.
In addition, women who have been suffering from migraines since starting to take the pill should also consider discontinuing the pill. In these cases it is often advisable to switch to another contraceptive method, for example the copper coil. What happens in these women when they stop taking the pill is usually a significant reduction in the likelihood of another migraine attack.
Many women also believe that it makes sense for the body to stop taking the pill now and then for a short time. In general, however, it should be assumed that such short “hormone breaks” are more harmful to the body than beneficial. One should therefore never stop taking the pill for a short period of time without medical reason.
But what exactly happens in the body when you stop taking the pill and start taking it again a short time later (so-called “pill break”)? In most cases, this behavior has far-reaching effects on the natural hormone balance. The sudden drop in hormone concentration can upset the entire hormone balance for months.
Some women develop complaints for this reason such as: – severe headaches – menstrual pain – circulatory problems. Some women react to the sudden drop in hormone concentration with irritation and increased aggressiveness. Women who have an acute desire to have children often ask themselves what happens when they stop taking the pill and when they become fertile again.
Unfortunately there is no general answer to this question. Since the natural hormone balance and thus the course of the menstrual cycle is strongly influenced by the pill, the organism needs a certain amount of time to change over, even if you stop taking the pill. How long it actually takes to change the hormone balance after stopping the pill and from when one is fertile again can vary considerably from woman to woman.
The question of what happens when you stop taking the pill can therefore not be answered in terms of when you become fertile again. It is certain, however, that fertility will only be restored when the menstrual cycle is regular and proper again. For some women, after stopping the pill, there is a shift in the individual stages of the cycle.
This can lead to the fact that in individual menstrual cycles ovulation cannot occur and for this reason conception cannot take place. In other women, ovulation occurs again soon after stopping the pill, but the length of the second half of the cycle is not long enough to ensure that a fertilized egg is implanted. The second half of the menstrual cycle should last at least 10 to 12 days.
In addition, if you stop taking the pill, the first half of the menstrual cycle may be significantly delayed. As a result, ovulation may not occur between the 13th and 14th day of the cycle, but much later. These women also have to change their hormone balance before they become fertile again.
In general, it can be assumed that in about half of the women who stop taking the pill, the cycle has already settled down again after a short time. For the remaining 50 percent of women, it usually takes only a few months for the hormone changeover to be completed and for the menstrual cycle to return smoothly. In this context, most experts assume that the length of time you take the pill has a considerable influence on the point at which you become fertile again after stopping the pill.It can therefore be assumed that after several years of taking the pill, the body usually needs much longer to adjust again.
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