Loestrin | Lostrin 24 Fe

What is Loestrin Fe?

 Fe tablets contains ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Loestrin Fe also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Loestrin Fe is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Loestrin Fe may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Loestrin Fe

Do not use Loestrin Fe if you are pregnant or if you have recently had a baby. Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems, a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills. You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using Loestrin Fe. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35. Some drugs can make Loestrin Fe less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Before taking Loestrin Fe

Loestrin Fe can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant, or if you miss two menstrual periods in a row. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 4 weeks before taking Loestrin Fe (6 weeks if you are breast-feeding). Do not use Loestrin Fe if you have:

• a history of a stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems;
  
• a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer;
  
• abnormal vaginal bleeding;
  
• liver disease, liver cancer, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
  

Before using Loestrin Fe, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions.

• high blood pressure or a history of heart disease;
  
• high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, or diabetes;
  
• migraine headaches or a history of depression; or
  
• a history of breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram.
  

The hormones in Loestrin Fe can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Loestrin Fe may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Loestrin Fe?

Take Loestrin Fe exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. You will take your first pill on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period begins (follow your doctor's instructions).
You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using Loestrin Fe. Follow your doctor's instructions.
The 28-day birth control pack contains seven "reminder" pills to keep you on your regular cycle. Your period will usually begin while you are using these reminder pills.
You may have breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy. Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You may get pregnant if you do not use Loestrin Fe regularly. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely.
The chewable tablet may be chewed or swallowed whole. If chewed, drink a full glass of water just after you swallow the pill. If you need to have any type of medical tests or surgery, or if you will be on bed rest, you may need to stop using Loestrin Fe for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using Loestrin Fe.
Your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis while you are using Loestrin Fe. Do not miss any appointments.
Store Loestrin Fe at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.
If you miss one "active" pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.
If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.
If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week three, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
If you miss three "active" pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack on the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new one that day.
If you miss two or more pills, you may not have a period during the month. If you miss a period for two months in a row, call your doctor because you might be pregnant. If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much Loestrin Fe. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking Loestrin Fe?

Do not smoke while using Loestrin Fe, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by birth control pills. Loestrin Fe will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

Loestrin Fe side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Loestrin Fe and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
  
• sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
  
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
  
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
  

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps;
  
• breast pain, tenderness, or swelling;
  
• freckles or darkening of facial skin;
  
• increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;
  
• changes in weight or appetite;
  
• problems with contact lenses;
  
• vaginal itching or discharge;
  
• changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or
  
• headache, nervousness, dizziness.
  

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Loestrin Fe?

Some drugs can make Loestrin Fe less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Before using Loestrin Fe, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
  
• prednisolone (Orapred);
  
• theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur);
  
• St. John's wort;
  
• an antibiotic;
  
• seizure medication;
  
• a barbiturate sedative such as secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
  
• HIV or AIDS medications.
  

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Loestrin Fe. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Loestrin Fe.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Loestrin Fe only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Side Effects Of Plan B

Plan B is one of the more popularly known morning-after contraceptives in the market. Its main purpose is to prevent the possible fertilization of the woman's egg cell either by reducing the risk of cell implantation in the uterus or by destroying the nucleus of the egg cell. it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. However, it is not possible to use a placebo in clinical trials for contraceptives, as this would lead to many unintentional pregnancies. Therefore, some of the possible "side effects" of Plan B may not really be true side effects, but there is no way of knowing, because the studies did not use a placebo.However, like most over-the-counter contraceptives, some of the known Plan B side effects may cause a few women concern.

According to health care providers though, these unwanted symptoms are relatively easier to manage as compared to the other morning-after pills out there. Some of the more common Plan B side effects include:
1. Abdominal pains. Some women report cramp-like pains in the lower abdominal region while others say that shooting pains usually happen near the lower end of the obliques or the side muscles of the body. In many cases, these abdominal pains would normally recede in intensity and frequency 6 to 12 hours after taking the pill.
2. Change in menstruation pattern. Like all female contraceptive products, Plan B can also affect regular menstrual flow and frequency. This is to be expected since the drug tends to target the egg cells in the woman's reproductive system. Some women have unusually heavier or lighter menstruation, while others experience infrequent menstrual cycles for at least 2 to 3 months afterward. Blood spotting in between menstruation is also considered normal.
3. Dizziness and nausea. About 23.1 women in a controlled group reported feeling bouts of dizziness, which leads to nausea or vomiting several minutes after taking Plan B. However, rest and sleep are the usual recommendations to ease such symptoms. Withholding food for one to two hours would also help keep the person from throwing up.
4. Fatigue. Some women feel tired faster if they are on the pill. Others feel a certain am

# Nausea -- in up to up to 23.1 percent of women
# Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 17.6 percent
# Fatigue -- up to 16.9 percent
# Headaches -- up to 16.8 percent
# A heavier menstrual period -- up to 13.8 percent
# A lighter menstrual period -- up to 12.5 percent
# Dizziness -- up to 11.2 percent
# Breast tenderness -- up to 10.7 percent
# Vomiting -- up to 5.6 percent
# Diarrhea -- up to 5 percent. 

Side Effects Of Stopping Birth Control

Birth control pills are a type of oral contraception which use a regimen of hormonal pills that release progestin or a combination of progestin and estrogen in order to prevent a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs each month. Stopping usage of birth control pills has several possible side effects, aside from the obvious effect that the woman will become much more fertile. Some of the side effects are simply the reversal of side effects caused by taking the pills in the first place.

If medicine help to stop taking birth. It is really useful for the women. But these pills are not free from side effects. Regulary taking medicine can lead to fatal diseases. Side effects of birth control pills can include:

•   Increased risk of breast and cervical cancers
•   Increased risk of blood clotting, heart attack and stroke
•   Migraines and headaches
•   Gall bladder disease
•   Increased blood pressure
•   Weight gain
•   Mood changes
•   Acne and/or oily skin
•   Nausea/Vomiting (especially at the beginning)
•   Nausea
•   Irregular bleeding or spotting
•   Benign liver tumors
•   Breast tenderness
•   Yeast overgrowth and infection

Progestin-Only Methods

•    Common Side-Effects (not comprehensive)
•    Untimely bleeding or spotting between periods
•    Prolonged menstrual bleeding (8 days or more)
•    No bleeding at all (amenorrhea) for several months or over a year
•    Headache (very common)
•    Nervousness/anxiety
•    Lower abdominal pain
•    Dizziness
•    Loss of sex drive (libido)
•    Depression
•    Acne and/or oily skin
•    Change of appetite
•    Weight gain
•    Breast tenderness (mastalgia)
•    Increased facial or body hair growth (hirsutism) or hair loss
•    Whitish vaginal discharge (leukorrhea)
•    Excessive growth of body/facial hair or hair loss
•    Infection the implants site for Norplant
•    A brief period of pain or itching
•    Enlarged ovarian follicles
•    Bone density loss

•    Less Common Serious Health Hazards
•    Ectopic pregnancy
•    Cancer

The most important thing to remember about hormonal birth control methods such as the pill is that they are synthetic hormones. It isn't healthy for a woman to be exposed to them.   

Post-Pill Amenorrhea

Post-pill amenorrhea is a common side effect of quitting birth control, which is defined as an abnormally long time between periods. It takes the body time to resume production normal hormone production after stopping usage of the pill, which can mean several extra weeks, or even months pass before the first period comes after quitting. In some cases it can take more than three months for periods to resume.

Moodiness

Another common side effect of quitting birth control pills is an increase in moodiness and the severity of menstrual cycle related effects. Many women experience depression, irritability or sadness after stopping birth control. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, and even crying over very small things or for no apparent reason. Cramps and headaches are likely to increase in severity as periods resume.

Complexion

Some birth control pills have the effect of decreasing the oiliness of skin and acne. When you stop using pills, the reverse effect is common; skin can become much more oily and breakouts can increase in number and severity. Breakouts and skin oiliness may even become a problem for women who have never had significant issues with their skin in the past.

Sex Drive

A possible positive side effect of stopping birth control is an increase in sex drive. A woman's sex drive is largely related to her hormonal cycle and fertility level. When a women is most fertile, her sex drive is usually at its peak. Birth control pills inhibit fertility and therefore, can limit sex drive. Since many women go off the pill to have children, increased sex drive is an important benefit.

Predictability of Periods

Another side effect of stopping birth control is that periods are likely to become less predictable. Birth control pills tend to regulate the menstrual cycle so that periods occur at essentially the same time every four weeks. Without the constant release of hormones from pills, the body can have periods which are shorter or longer. This can be frustrating for women who go off the pill in an attempt to conceive.

In fact, their long-term use will invariably increase a woman's risk of developing serious chronic illness. In addition to increasing health risks as dangerous as cancer and blood clots, birth control pills also deplete important nutrients, including vitamins B2, B6 and B12.

The use of birth control pills or synthetic hormones is actually rarely justified. If you're using birth control pills to control menstrual cycles, irregular bleeding, cysts or endometriosis, you are not treating the underlying dysfunction. Instead, you are simply increasing the risks to your health.

It is essential to balance the adrenal glands in these situations, as cortisol levels modulate and control the female hormones, especially progesterone. The pill only treats the symptoms instead of the disease, and causes its own side effects as your body continues to remain in an unhealthy state.
In addition, long term use of the pill will permanently damage your libido, your desire for sex.  Permanently.  It won’t come back.
Hopefully, it will go well and you will continue in good health or even regain a greater sense of wellbeing and health.  But there are no guarantees.

Getting Pregnant On Birth Control | Stop Taking Birth Control |Getting Pregnant After The Pill |Taking Birth Control While Pregnant |Can I get Pregnant on the Pill

Getting Pregnant On Birth Control 

The birth control pill (also called "the Pill") is a daily pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body's organs. In this case, the hormones in the Pill control the ovaries and the uterus.

How Does It Work?

Most birth control pills are "combination pills" containing a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). A woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn't ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilized. The Pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones in the Pill can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall of the uterus.
Most combination pills come in either a 21-day pack or a 28-day pack. One hormone pill is taken each day at about the same time for 21 days. Depending on your pack, you will either stop taking birth control pills for 7 days (as in the 21-day pack) or you will take a pill that contains no hormones for 7 days (the 28-day pack). A woman has her period when she stops taking the pills that contain hormones. Some women prefer the 28-day pack because it helps them stay in the habit of taking a pill every day.
There is also a type of combination pill that decreases the frequency of a woman's period by supplying a hormone pill for 12 weeks and then inactive pills for 7 days. This decreases the number of periods to one every 3 months instead of one every month.
Another kind of pill that may change the number of monthly periods is the low-dose progesterone pill, sometimes called the mini-pill. This type of birth control pill differs from the other pills in that it only contains one type of hormone — progesterone — rather than a combination of estrogen and progesterone. It works by changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus, and sometimes by affecting ovulation as well. The mini-pill may be slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy than combination pills.
The mini-pill is taken every day without a break. A girl who is taking the mini-pill may have no period at all or she may have irregular periods. For the minipill to work, it must be taken at the same time every day, without missing any doses.
Any type of birth control pill works best when it is taken every single day at the same time of day, regardless of whether a girl is going to have sex. This is especially important with progesterone-only pills.
For the first 7 days of taking the Pill, a girl should use an additional form of contraception, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy. After 7 days, the Pill should work alone to prevent pregnancy. But continuing to use condoms will protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
If pills are skipped or forgotten, a girl is not protected against pregnancy and she will need a backup form of birth control, such as condoms. Or she will need to stop having sex for a while. Do not take a friend's or relative's pills.

People get astonish to hear that while ladies take birth control tablets whereas they take birth to the child. It can be said carelessness of taking medicine properly.

Can You Get Pregnant on Birth Control |Getting Pregnant On Birth Control |Pregnant While On Birth Control

From the moment they were introduced in the early 1960s, birth control pills have been one of the most popular forms of contraception, taken by millions of women in the United States and worldwide. When taken correctly, birth control pills can be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, women who are taking birth control pills do on rare occasions get pregnant. When this happens, it is most often because of something the women did (or, more likely, did not do), not because the pill itself somehow failed to work.

Can You Get Pregnant While Taking Birth Control Pills? – A Qualified “Yes”

There are a number of reasons why a woman on birth control pills could become pregnant. The most common is that she neglects to take the pill on one or more days. Depending on how busy your lifestyle is or how frequently you renew your birth control pill prescription, it can be easy to forget to go to the drugstore and then delay starting a new package – while still being sexually active. Another mistake that women sometimes make is taking the pill at different times on different days. Birth control pills should be taken at the same time every day. It is admittedly inconvenient to have to take a pill every single day, always at about the same time – but this is essential to ensure that birth control pills work successfully to prevent pregnancy. If you miss your pill, phone your health care provider and ask if it’s okay to take one later in the day or two the next few days – this is sometimes effective, but the exact regimen varies based on the particular pills being taken, so check with a medical professional first. (You might also want to use supplemental birth control until the next month just to be on the safe side.) If you’re away from home and have forgotten to take your birth control pills, don’t take one offered by a friend. Different birth control pills have different formulations, and what’s been prescribed for one woman won’t necessarily work for another. Also, birth control pills are sometimes affected by other medications. Certain antibiotics, anti-seizure and anti-fungal medications have been linked to reduced effectiveness in birth control pills, along with some herbs and vitamins. Before your physician prescribes any new medication, make sure to let her or him know that you’re on the pill, to avoid any potential problems.

Can You Get Pregnant While Taking Birth Control Pills? – Little Known Facts

When you swallow a birth control pill, it takes 30 minutes for it to be absorbed into your bloodstream and do its contraceptive job. If you throw up during that half hour right after you take the pill, there’s a chance that you could get pregnant if you have sex later. This is also possible if a woman is suffering from severe diarrhea. If this happens, call your doctor. You may be okay, or you may have to take another pill right away – as a backup, you might also have to use another method of birth control for the rest of that month. If you should happen to become pregnant while taking birth control pills and decide that you want to have and keep your baby, there’s no need to worry about the pill’s impact on the developing fetus. According to the Mayo Clinic, “There’s very little evidence that exposure to the hormones in birth control pills causes birth defects.” However, if this happens, stop taking the pill immediately and see your doctor or health care provider.

Going Off Birth Control |Birth Control While Pregnant

Many women choose, after a period of using birth control, to become pregnant. As each woman’s body is different, so will the time it takes to become pregnant be different. In part, the time it will take to become pregnant after being off birth control depends on the birth control method practiced.
If a woman is using condoms (male or female), spermicides, diaphragms, or any other “barrier” type of birth control, pregnancy can occur immediately during the next ovulation after stopping birth control.
If you have used Birth control pills, you can get pregnant immediately during the next ovulation after stopping birth control. Roughly 50% of women who intend to get pregnant after stopping the pill will become pregnant within the next three cycles.
If you have had the birth control shot, known as Depo-Provera or a “depo shot,” you can become pregnant in as little as three months after your shot. For many women who have had the depo shot, it can take as long as 18 months to become pregnant.
Norplant is designed to last as birth control for as long as 5 years. Should you wish to become pregnant after using Norplant, you will need to either wait it out or have it surgically removed. After having Norplant removed, it may be possible to become pregnant in as little as 2-3 months.
Obviously, if you have chose a surgical method of birth control, such as a vasectomy or a tubal ligation, that procedure would have to be reversed. It is much easier, in general, to reverse a vasectomy; Rates of success for the reversal of a tubal ligation are not particularly high.
Other factors might affect the speed at which you are able to become pregnant after stopping birth control, including age and other fertility issues. If you have stopped birth control but have not been able to become pregnant, your health care provider may be able to help determine whether or not you have a fertility concern, and should be able to either help you treat it or refer you to a health care provider who can. 


When many girls and women go off the birth control pill, they begin to notice a lot of unusual symptoms. In fact, many even may think that they are pregnant. Here are some of the
pregnancy symptoms that you may experience when going off the pill, as well as an explanation for why this can occur.

What Pregnancy Symptoms Can Ending Birth Control Cause?
You may begin experiencing a number of different pregnancy symptoms when you make the decision to stop taking the birth control pill. Bloating in the belly area is one of the most common symptoms that many women notice when they first go off the pill. Headaches and fatigue are also commonly associated with it. When you stop taking your pill, you may experience spotting, which can occur in the form of implantation bleeding with pregnancy. You may even skip your period.
 
Why Does Stopping Birth Control Cause Pregnancy Symptoms?
The reason that going off birth control can cause you to experience pregnancy symptoms is because there are hormones in the pill. Whether you are taking a birth control pill that has one hormone or many, it can cause you to experience these symptoms. Since the number one symptom associated with pregnancy is a missed period, many women automatically assume that they are pregnant when they go off the pill. The reason that this really happens is because your body needs to get adjusted to its own routine and, ultimately, the absence of hormones. You may experience bloating because many birth control pills have diuretics to reduce this side effect of menstruation.
 

Getting Pregnant after Birth Control

There are many types of hormonal birth control options. Birth control pills are a very popular form of birth control because they are affordable, convenient and effective. Depo-Provera is another type of hormonal birth control. It is given by injection every three months and one injection prevents you from getting pregnant for up to 13 weeks. Women often decide to use Depo-Provera because it requires less commitment than birth control pills. 

Although it is more convenient in many ways, it may take longer to get pregnant after taking Depo-Provera than it would if you were using traditional birth control pills. One more type of hormonal birth control is the Mirena IUD. There is also a different type of IUD that is made of copper but it does release hormones into the body and it is not as popular as the Mirena IUD. The Mirena IUD is a small t-shaped plastic device that is inserted through your cervix and into your uterus by your doctor. The IUD works by releasing small amounts of hormones into your uterus. The IUD can be used to prevent pregnancy for up to five years. If you have decided that you want to quit using birth control so you can try to get pregnant, you may have some questions about when to stop taking birth control and how long it will take you to get pregnant. The answer to these questions will depend on a lot of factors including what type of birth control you were using and whether or not you were having normal menstrual cycles prior to starting birth control.

Frequently asked questions about getting pregnant after birth control:
Q:I was on the birth control pill for 3 yrs and went off of it 1 month ago. I am going into my second month without it. I had a period my first month without it, a short period lasting about 3 days. My best friend was telling me that she tried to get pregnant for 2 yrs after she went off the pill and she ended up using fertility drugs. I feel like I'm just hearing all these horror stories about trying to get pregnant  after being on the pill. Does anyone have any positive feedback for me? Is it that difficult for every woman to get pregnant after being on the pill? I have also read that many women are infertile for 1-2 months after getting off the pill. I am regretting every going on the birth control pill.  [find answer read the whole paragraph]

How soon can you get pregnant after stopping birth control?

This is probably the most asked question about trying to conceive after taking birth control. The answer to this depends on what type of birth control you were using. You can get pregnant as soon as your body is ovulating again.

Getting Pregnant after Taking Birth Control Pills
If you were taking birth control pills, you may begin to ovulate as quickly as two weeks after discontinuing the pill. It is hard to say how long it will take for you to start ovulating again. Some women’s fertility returns as soon as they stop taking the pill and others take a few months. It is not uncommon for the first two to three cycles after going off the pill to be long or irregular. Once your period returns to normal and you are ovulating again, it shouldn’t take you any longer to get pregnant than it would any other woman.
 

Getting Pregnant after Taking Depo-Provera
If you were using Depo-Provera it may take longer for your cycles to return to normal. Keep in mind that Depo-Provera is designed to be a long-lasting form of birth control. Even though it is intended to help you avoid pregnancy for up to three months, it may actually prevent pregnancy longer. Depo-Provera is a synthetic hormone similar to progesterone. It is designed to keep your body from ovulating, but it also keeps your cervical mucous thick and thins the lining of your uterus to prevent implantation. Because Depo tends to keep the lining of the uterus thin, this is one of the reasons women generally have lighter periods while taking it. In order to get pregnant though, you need to not only be ovulating but you also need to be producing fertile cervical mucous and a thick uterine lining after you ovulate. The reason Depo-Provera is so long lasting is because of the way it works. The levels of DMPA (the synthetic hormone in Depo-Provera) gradually increase over a three week period, at which time they reach their peak levels. After three weeks the DMPA levels begin to decrease exponentially. It may take as long as 200 days before DMPA is completely at of your bloodstream. It may take up to a year after discontinuing Depo-Provera before your menstrual cycles return to normal and it may take as long as two years to get pregnant after stopping Depo-Provera.
 

Getting Pregnant after Using the Mirena IUD
The Mirena IUD works by releasing levonorgestrel (a synthetic form of progesterone) into your uterus. This causes your cervical mucous to become thick. Thick cervical mucous is difficult for sperm to swim through and blocks sperm from reaching the egg. The IUD also makes the lining of your uterus very thin which keeps the egg from implanting if fertilization should occur. It may also prevent ovulation but in most cases it works by blocking sperm from reaching the egg and by stopping implantation. After having the IUD removed your fertility should return fairly quickly. Most women begin having regular cycles immediately after having the IUD removed, but it is not unusual to have a few irregular cycles before your cycles return to normal. Once you start having regular cycles, your chances of getting pregnant are comparable to women who had not been using any birth control.
 

How long should you wait to start trying to conceive?
You will be happy to know that it is safe to start trying to conceive as soon as you stop taking birth control; however, you may want to wait until you start having regular cycles before you start trying. This is not something that you have to do and it doesn’t put your pregnancy at risk, but it is often recommended. Waiting until you have a few regular cycles makes it easier for your doctors to date your pregnancy. Likewise, it is also easier to predict ovulation if you have a regular cycle.

Should you finish the pack of birth control pills first or is it okay to stop mid-cycle?

This is entirely up to you. You can stop taking the pill at any time but you may want to finish the pack you are taking first before trying to conceive. Any time you stop taking the pill mid-cycle it can cause you to have breakthrough spotting. This can be annoying to deal with and you may find it easier to just go ahead and finish the pack you are taking and then start trying to conceive.

The Menstrual Cycle | mensuration period

What is menstruation? 

Menstruation (a period) is a major stage of puberty in girls; it's one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman. And like a lot of the other changes associated with puberty, menstruation can be confusing. Some girls can't wait to start their periods, whereas others may feel afraid or anxious. Many girls (and guys!) don't have a complete understanding of a woman's reproductive system or what actually happens during the menstrual cycle, making the process seem even more mysterious.

Menstruation - having periods - is part of the female reproductive cycle that starts when girls become sexually mature at the time of puberty.

During a menstrual period, a woman bleeds from her uterus (womb) via the vagina. This lasts anything from three to seven days. Each period commences approximately every 28 days if the woman does not become pregnant during a given cycle.

Why do women menstruate?

Menstruation is a very complicated process involving many different hormones, the woman's sex organs and the brain.

A woman's internal sex organs consist of two ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, the uterus (womb) and the vagina. The ovaries contain the eggs with which the woman is born and, during each period, a single egg will usually ripen and mature due to the action of hormones circulating in the bloodstream.

When the egg is mature it bursts from the ovary and drifts through the Fallopian tube down into the uterus. The lining of the uterus - the endometrium - has been thickened by the action of hormones and made ready to receive the fertilised egg.

If the egg is fertilized and the woman becomes pregnant, it will fasten itself onto the endometrium. If the egg is not fertilized, however, resultant hormonal changes cause the endometrium to slip away and menstruation begins.

Menstrual discharge is composed of the endometrium itself, together with a little fresh blood caused by the breaking of very fine blood vessels within the endometrium as it detaches itself from the inside of the uterus.

The amount of blood lost due to the normal monthly period is usually less than 80ml. 

When does menstruation begin?

These days, girls begin to menstruate when they are about 10 to 14 years-old. The average age is approximately 12. Women will continue to menstruate until the age of 45 to 55, when menopause begins. A woman will have approximately 500 periods in her lifetime.

Can you feel ovulation?

Ovulation usually takes place roughly 14 days after the first day of the start of a period; however, the exact timing can vary greatly from woman to woman. Some women know when they are ovulating because they can feel a slight pain in their lower abdomen. Other women may bleed slightly in the middle of their cycle.

Vaginal discharge also changes at ovulation. It increases in amount and becomes more watery due to hormonal changes. This is one of the ways that women who wish to practice natural family planning (NFP) using the mucus test can find out whether it is safe to have sex or not.

Women who do not experience such symptoms during ovulation can find out when they are ovulating by taking their temperature. This will rise by 0.5 degrees Celsius when ovulation occurs. To measure temperature effectively, it must be taken at the same time every morning before getting out of bed.

Temperature readings taken from different parts of the body such as the mouth, under the arm, in the ear or in the rectum will all give a slightly different measurement. For this reason, it is important to choose one location and stick to it. When checking for temperature, rises can occur for a variety of reasons and, therefore, should not be used as the only method of detecting ovulation.

What influences menstruation?

As described above, menstruation is a very complex process involving many different hormones, the sexual organs and the nervous system.

First and foremost, hormones influence menstruation. If they are not in balance, the cycle will similarly be affected. If a woman's periods are very irregular, she can ask her doctor to measure the hormones in her blood to find out if her hormones are out of balance. This will give a rough indication as to whether there is a serious hormonal problem. However, since what is 'normal' varies greatly with regard to women's hormones, blood tests are not a particularly good measure of what can be considered much more subtle imbalances in a woman's cycle.

Weight also influences hormonal balance and menstruation. If a woman is underweight, her hormones will stop working properly and her periods might stop altogether. Recent research has also shown that obesity can throw hormones out of balance and make it harder for women to conceive. Stress also affects the hormones. Many women find that if they are worried about something, it can influence menstruation. In some cases, a woman's period might actually stop if she is very worried about whether she is pregnant.

Regular exercise and keeping fit and healthy can help regulate the menstrual cycle. On the other hand, exercising too much and overstressing the body can have a negative effect on the hormones to the extent that menstruation may cease.

What are the symptoms of painful periods?

The degree of discomfort experienced during menstruation varies from woman to woman. Some are never bothered by their periods, while others can be badly affected by unpleasant symptoms. These may include:

• pains in the abdomen
• pain in the vagina
• feeling nauseous and generally unwell
• diarrhoea
• sweating
• fatigue.

What can women do to relieve their symptoms?

There are several things that will help relieve discomfort:

• while menstruating, refrain from drinking caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, cola or cocoa.
• avoid stress. Relaxation and massage can work wonders.
• exercise and staying fit can help prevent painful periods.
• keep your abdomen warm.
• finally, use pain-relieving medicines if necessary.

Remember that it is always best to consult your doctor about your specific concerns.

What causes painful periods?

There is no single proven theory, but there are several possible reasons:

• contractions of the uterus similar to those felt in childbirth due to the hormone prostaglandin.
• the pain can be caused by the cervix dilating when the blood and the tissue are passed out of the womb.
• the pain can be due to earlier infections or inflammations of the uterus, or benign tumours in the uterus.
• in some cases, painful periods are hereditary. If a woman has painful periods, her daughters may later be affected in the same way.

Why do some women's periods stop altogether (amenorrhoea)?

Periods can stop for a number of reasons. The most common are:

• pregnancy.
• premature menopause (this can affect women in their early twenties).
• weight loss.
• weight gain.
• some forms of medication including the contraceptive pill or injections.
• drug abuse.
• stress.
• hormonal imbalances such as an underactive thyroid gland or the overproduction of a hormone called prolactin.
• a condition called polycystic ovaries (see below) is a very common cause of irregular or absent periods.

The treatment suggested will depend upon the diagnosis. If you are uncertain as to why your periods have stopped, seek advice from your doctor. Investigation usually involves a blood test to measure the levels of various hormones in your body.

Irregular, infrequent periods (oligomenorrhoea)

Periods are often light or infrequent both when a young woman starts having periods, and also when a woman is nearing menopause. This is normal because they are not producing an egg every month.

Many women experience one or two irregular periods every six months. This is not usually caused by any serious condition; however, many women do seek an explanation and reassurance from their GP or gynaecologist.

The most common cause of infrequent periods is a condition called polycystic ovaries. This is a common condition affecting as many as 10 per cent of women, in which a large number of very small (less than 1cm) cysts on the ovaries appear in association with a hormone imbalance.

This condition results in irregular ovulation and thus periods are usually infrequent. The diagnosis of polycystic ovaries is made on the basis of one or more blood tests to measure hormones; a pelvic ultrasound scan of the ovaries is often taken as an additional test.

Treatment is only necessary if there is concern about the irregularity of periods or if a woman is having difficulty becoming pregnant.