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Expert Q&A
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| By Michael D Benson, MD Attending Physician, Highland Park Hospital, IL | ||
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How does prolonged use of oral contraceptives affect fertility? I once went off the pill after having been on it for about two years and subsequently only got my period four times in the next year and a half. I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and treated by going back on the pill. Now, it's about four years later and I plan to go off it again to hopefully try to conceive, but I'm apprehensive about my body "bouncing back" and being able to ovulate."
The pill is a common treatment for polycystic ovarian condition. While it restores the menstrual cycle, it does not treat the underlying endocrine problem. Most women who are treated with the pill for irregular periods have a return to irregular periods when they stop the pill. Particularly, women with the diagnosis of polycystic ovaries might be expected to have problems ovulating. Pill use by itself is not associated with any long-term impairment of fertility or ovulation problems."
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More Answers by this Expert
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- How does prolonged use of oral contraceptives affect fertility?
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