There is a widespread myth that the use of birth control pills can put fertility at risk or affect it.
Birth control pills work by providing the hormones that are normally produced by the ovary. This tricks the part of the brain that controls the functioning of the ovary (pituitary gland and hypothalamus) into believing that the ovary is functioning and then not sending the signals it would normally send to stimulate the ovary. The end result is that the ovary goes into rest and does not produce mature eggs to be fertilized. This is a very similar situation to what happens during pregnancy and for this reason some doctors say that the pills simulate a pseudo pregnancy. The hormones in the pills, however, act on the uterus and other organs producing a menstruation cycle similar to normal.
As we know, after pregnancy ends, the ovaries are active again, fertility returns quickly and people should start planning after 30 days of delivery if they do not want another pregnancy immediately. Similarly, stopping the use of birth control pills quickly returns fertility. Thousands of women who have become pregnant because they forget to take one of the contraceptive pills are witnesses to this.
Women often ask if long-term birth control pills can affect their fertility. Long-term use has not been proven to affect fertility. It is also not necessary to “rest” from its use from time to time. They can be taken for years without having to stop them. Regarding prolonged use, however, attention must be drawn to the age factor of the woman. When born with a limited number of eggs, a woman’s fertility declines over the years, and this decline is noticeable after the age of 35. After 40 it is more difficult for a woman to achieve pregnancy and when she reaches 50, the time when the eggs run out (menopause) pregnancy is only possible using donated eggs. So a 20-year-old woman can plan without interruption with pills for 10 years and when she suspends them she can quickly become pregnant, but if a 30-year-old woman plans the same 10 years, when looking for pregnancy, already at an age of 40, she will have more difficulty achieving it.
There is evidence that women who use contraceptives have a lower risk of ovarian cysts, cervical cancer, and are less prone to genital tract infections (a common cause of infertility due to blockage of the fallopian tubes). Birth control pills are often used to treat and slow the growth of endometriosis (a common cause of infertility). So in this respect, birth control pills are protective of fertility. Other benefits of birth control pills for users are a decrease in menstrual bleeding and the cramps that accompany it.
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