How long after stopping the pill will I ovulate?

How soon after stopping the pill will I ovulate?

Everyone is different, but the science suggests that most people will ovulate within two months after stopping the pill. One study that looked specifically at this found that about half of the participants ovulated within the first three weeks, and over 80% ovulated within the first six weeks after they stopped using the pill. 

Research also shows there are no long-term effects on fertility after using birth control pills and that it typically returns to normal within a couple of months. 

However, everyone is different. For some, it can take several months for ovulation to happen after going off birth control. It’s also common to experience irregular periods for a few months after stopping birth control. If you’re thinking about starting a family, you might want to switch to a hormone-free birth control method to help you pinpoint ovulation and find your fertile window.

Do you ovulate on the pill?

Let’s take a step back – how does the pill affect your ovulation? This actually depends on which kind of pill you’re using! When talking about birth control pills, most people are talking about the combination pill. Often, people take the combination pill for three weeks with a one-week break, or they may take placebo pills during this time instead.

The combination pill contains synthetic versions of two of our main sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. It works by stopping ovulation from happening, as well as changing your cervical mucus quality, and making the lining of the uterus thinner so that implantation can’t occur. 

In short, you won’t ovulate while using combination pills and you won’t have a menstrual cycle during that time. (Did you know that the bleeding you experience during the placebo week is not your period, but rather a withdrawal bleed?)

There’s also another kind of birth control pill, called the mini pill, that works a little bit differently. This type of pill only contains synthetic progesterone and mainly works by making the uterine lining thinner (so that implantation can’t occur). It also makes cervical mucus thicker so that sperm cells aren’t able to reach the female egg cell. 

The mini pill can stop ovulation from happening, similar to combination pills, but some people still ovulate while on the mini pill.

How long am I protected after stopping the pill?

Regardless of the type of pill you use, it needs to be taken daily to be effective as birth control. This means that you’re no longer protected from pregnancy as soon as you stop taking it, as your natural menstrual cycle will begin to return. 

Exactly how long it takes for your menstrual cycle to return will vary from person to person. Still, you may be fertile right away after coming off the pill, so it’s important that you use another form of protection (such as condoms) if you don’t want to become pregnant. 

Side effects of stopping birth control

It’s common to experience some side effects when coming off birth control pills – this is a result of hormonal changes in the body since you’re no longer adding the hormones that the pills contain. You might experience acne, heavier or lighter periods than usual, or irregular cycles. 

While side effects are never fun, they are temporary and will usually go away within a few months. Your cycle will eventually return to what it was like before you were on birth control, so be patient and kind to yourself as your body works to get back to its normal rhythm. 

It’s also good to keep in mind that if you had cycle irregularities or a hormonal condition before you went on the pill, or if you went on the pill to treat some condition, these can return once you're off birth control again. 

If you feel worried about side effects when stopping your birth control or have questions about how your body might react, contact your healthcare professional for guidance on what options are available for you.

Signs of ovulation after stopping the pill

So, what should you look out for when waiting for that first ovulation? Many of us notice changes in our bodies during the different stages of the menstrual cycle. For example, towards the end of the luteal phase, we might feel some PMS symptoms as our period approaches. 

There are also specific signs of ovulation that you can keep an eye out for, which include:

• A higher sex drive as you’re approaching ovulation
• Changes to your cervical mucus – “egg-white cervical mucus” helps sperm reach the egg and makes the fertile window longer
• Ovulation pain, also known as “Mittelschmerz”
• An LH surge around 24-48 hours before ovulation – you can identify this with ovulation tests
• A rise in body temperature after ovulation

However, some research suggests that it can take a bit of time for ovulation symptoms to return to what’s normal for you after stopping birth control. One study found that the quality of cervical mucus was different in the first couple of cycles for women who had just stopped using oral contraceptives (like the pill) compared to those who had not used hormonal birth control recently.

It’s also important to keep in mind that every body is different. You might need some time to get to know how your body feels off birth control before you can recognize your individual cycle patterns. It can be helpful to use an app or journal to track your cycle if you want to learn more about your reproductive health! 

Keep track of your ovulation with Natural Cycles

Are you curious about your cycle and looking for a non-hormonal method that lets you know when you ovulate? Natural Cycles is the first and only FDA Cleared birth control app, and it can also be used to plan and follow a pregnancy. In fact, our research has shown that couples who use Natural Cycles to plan pregnancy conceive in three cycles on average. 

Powered by an algorithm that learns your unique cycle, Natural Cycles uses your body temperature and period data to analyze your cycle and confirm your ovulation. You can also track many other cycle symptoms, like cervical mucus, pain, skin changes, and more, so that you get the knowledge you need about your body! Take our quiz to see if Natural Cycles is right for you today!