Birth Control Forum - Stopping birth control : menstrual cycle & ovulation

Womens Health > Birth Control Forum > Stopping birth control : menstrual cycle & ovulation

Birth control is helpful in preventing pregnancy. Need to know more about birth control? Start here to learn more about popular methods of birth control....

Q: Stopping birth control : menstrual cycle & ovulation

asked by: DoctorQuestion on January 22nd, 2007

I recently stopped taking diane 35 because I have decided to change to a different pill next time I see my doctor (within the next week). I have had sex twice since I quit taking the pill using a condom (neither of which broke) but I am late for my period. I really doubt that I am pregnant but I am a bit concerned. Is this normal? How long does it usually take for your cycle to return after stopping the pill?

Thank you!

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on January 26th, 2007

Birth Control Answer A2206

According to the data you provided (you've stopped taking contraceptive pills but used condoms) it doesn’t seem likely for you to be pregnant. You may want to take a home pregnancy test to check it out, though. Missing a period after you've stopped taking contraceptive pills can due to fact that hormonal contraception stops ovulation completely. Therefore, a missed period is an expected and temporary side effect of coming off oral contraception. Women usually need 2-3 months to establish their regular cycles and menstrual periods. The maximum waiting period a woman requires to re-establish ovulation after the pill is 2 years.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Birth Control , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc