Infertility - do you blame the pill?

[kiera]

On another note - I was regular as clockwork (although no proof that I was ovulating) before going on the pill (mercilon) for 6 years, when I came off it my periods didn't return! I was only 29 (now 34)! I was having only 2 a year for years, only the last year have they been more frequent (40-60 day cycles and I suspect I am not ovulating - FSH levels very low on recent blood test). Have never conceived naturally to my knowledge only with clomid. I know of other people who seemed fine before the pill only to run into problems after coming off it. Anyone else?

K

No, not at all. Certainly not my experience and no research supports it.

The pill can temporarily impair fertility. For example, it took me several months to ovulate again. But long term, I think it's more likely that a long-time Pill user may have had a previously undiagnosed condition which can result in infertility - PCOS, premature ovarian failure, endo - whose symptoms were suppressed by Pill usage.

Also, let's face it, fertility does decline w/age for some women. It's possible a long-time user was taking the Pill during the years in which their fertility may have been at its peak.

Kiera,

Would like to reassure you on one point. There is no real evidence to suggest that the pill is responsible for failure to ovulate.

I would fully agree with the other posts here; in my case I have PCOS and always have had this condition. The pill basically served to mask the symptoms of the underlying problem and I had problems with periods (due I now know to PCOS) well before I started to take the pill anyway.

Were your LH levels tested as well as your FSH?. Both LH and FSH need to be looked at and compared. My FSH when tested was low as well. I would think that if your LH level was looked as well this would be far in excess of your FSH level. This would be one possible indicator of a hormonal problem like polycstic ovaries or its related syndrome.

Hope this helps

Hi

I have been scanned for PCOS and had all sorts of blood tests none of which have shown any reason for my failure to ovulate. This was a few years ago now but both LH and PSH were looked at. I also had a HPG to see if my tubes were blocked (which they weren't) before starting the clomid. I was 29 when I came off the pill.

K

Hi Kiera,

Any tests done over six months ago should be discounted as they would now be out of date.

What research is this, Aloha?

K

I am now 39 and have been on and off the pill (mainly on) since 18. I have two children (7yrs and 6mths) - both conceived VERY quickly - dd1 the first month that I came off the pill, and dd2 within 3mths. I ovulate every month. So no, it's not adversely affected me at all.

i had a implanoon in foir 2yrs had it removed 16mths no luck since my cycle is regural but i bleed the same amount as if i,m on something so yes Infertility -i do
blame what i was on

I don't think the pill can be to blame either tbh. I've been on it for over 10 years and conceived both kids very quickly too. I hope you find out what the problem is.