Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and
gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn
department at the University of California, Los
Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor
to national health agencies on women's health issues and has
received numerous international honors for this work.
Q:I have stopped taking birth control pills after 10 years of use. But I haven't had a period. How can I become pregnant?
A: It sometimes takes the ovaries a little time to recover from the suppression of birth control pills, but function normally returns (indicated by a menstrual period) by the third month after you've stopped. If there hasn't been a period by three to four months, you should see a doctor who may want to do some testing and perhaps prescribe medication to stimulate ovulation.
Important disclaimer: The information on keepkidshealthy.com is for educational purposes only and should not be considered to bemedical advice. It is not meant to replace the advice of the physician who cares for your child. All medical advice and information should be considered to be incomplete without a physical exam, which is not possible without a visit to your doctor.