 |
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
|
|
|
NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
|
| Home | HealthTopics | Health Centers | Reference Library | Research |
 Join us on Facebook
|
Share on Facebook | Tweet |
|
Women's Health |
Pregnancy and birth control07/23/2008 |
I am 25 years old and have been married for nearly 4 years. My husband and I have decided we want to start trying for a family at the end of the year. (In about 4 months).
Right now, I use the NuvaRing.
My gynecologist`s office told me I should be off my birth control for at least 3 months before trying to get pregnant.
Why do I need to be off my birth control for so long? I personally prefer the shorter, lighter, practically no side-effects periods I have while on birth control and would rather only be off for a month before we get pregnant.
I looked it up, and there are no claims that getting pregnant while on birth control can cause birth defects - so what`s the deal?
You are correct that there is no known association between the use of hormonal contraception and birth defects in the time around conception. When women stop their hormonal contraceptives, they generally resume ovulating relatively quickly. However, occasionally it may take a few months to regain a normal cycle. When you stop the contraceptive you can then track your cycle and begin to learn when ovulation occurs. This is why most gynecologists suggest discontinuing hormonal contraception a few months prior to planning pregnancy.
If you have a history of irregular menses, or if you have a particular desire to conceive within a certain time frame, then you may want to discontinue the Nuvaring as recommended.
Additionally, you should make sure, prior to conception, that you are taking a folic acid supplement for 3 months, that your immunizations are up to date, and that you have discussed any pre-existing medical conditions with your health care provider. You may also want to consider genetic screening for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, or other disorders dependent upon your family history and ethnicity.
|
Lisa M Keder, MD, MPH Associate Professor, Clinical Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
|
|
|
Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
|