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Last Updated:
Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21
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Question
Dear Dr. Expert,
I am 22 years old and I have recently discontinued taking the contraceptive pill Marvelon. Prior to taking Marvelon I had been taking Dianette. I had not really been taking Marvelon for all that a long before I decided to discontinue using it, as I became paranoid about the stories of infertility as a result of long periods of usage of contraceptive pills. I stopped taking the pill in August and since then I have not had a period. I am underweight (eight stone, height 5"6) and my doctor told me that this could be the cause of my periods ceasing. I have not had any tests done yet because my Doctor said I need to wait until the pill is properly out of my system for a more accurate test to be done. I am very worried though as he said that there is a possibility that my womb may have ceased functioning and that I am like a menopausal woman. I really am terrified as I really want to have children in the future and I'm especially worried as, because I have been taking the pill (originally for my skin) from the age of 19, that possibly I have not been able to have a real period throughout that time, as I know that the periods that you experience whilst on the pill are artificial. Should this be the case, is there anything I can do to rectify it? Will my womb ever function again? I really am desperately worried! Please help!
Answer
It is very good that you seek to take care of your fertility for the future. Although long term infertility is possible after taking hormonal contraceptives, it is rare, so there is plenty of room for hope. I agree with your doctor that is more accurate to wait a while after stopping contraceptives before ordering hormone levels. However, in the meantime, there is something very helpful that you can be doing. I would highly recommend that you learn to chart your cycle with the Creighton Model. It is a very standardized method that will teach you how to chart biomarkers, such as cervical mucus, on a daily basis. This model is the basis of NaProTechnology, which is a new science of women's health that works cooperatively with a woman's menstrual and fertility cycle. The charts give a reflection of what your hormones are doing, which will help in the diagnosis of infertility and menstrual problems, guide further diagnostic work up if needed, and will allow coordinated interventions. It is effective either to achieve or avoid pregnancy, without the side effects of the hormonal contraceptives.
Along with learning how to chart your cycle, I would also be concerned by your weight, which could be decreasing your menses. I would discuss this further with your doctor to decide on the best way for you to attain a healthy weight.
Thank you for your good questions. I wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Lynn Kerr, M.D., NFPMC
Lynn Kerr, MD, is an NFP Medical Consultant and member of the Executive Board of the California Association of Natural Family Planning.
Dr. Kerr is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCSF/Fresno Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Medical Director of Sierra Adult Health Center.
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The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only,
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