Mercilon - About the Pill

Life's Transitions

Life's Transitions

Everybody goes through events that change their lives irrevocably. These include puberty, marriage, sexual activity, children, menopause, and so on.

These life's transitions will have an impact on sexual and reproductive health. Let’s see how they can be managed if you’re on the Pill.

Stopping the Pill

You may wish to stop taking the Pill for any number of reasons. Maybe you want to switch to a different type of birth control, or maybe you’re ready to have children. You can stop at any time, although it’s best to finish the pack you’re on so you know when you’ll get your next period.

What impact will stopping have on your menstrual cycle? It will most likely return to what it was before you started taking the Pill. If you go back to having irregular periods, this may make it more difficult for you to get pregnant. In this case, you may want to continue with the Pill right up until the time you wish to conceive.

Remember, if your natural cycle is regular, you could fall pregnant very soon after you stop taking the Pill.

Starting the Pill After Pregnancy

It’s advisable to wait until four weeks after delivery to re-start taking the Pill. A woman’s body undergoes changes during pregnancy. The delay in re-starting the Pill lets these changes return to normal.

Avoid taking the Pill if you’re breast-feeding, because it can decrease the amount and quality of your breast milk. Speak to your doctor about your contraceptive options.

If you’ve suffered a miscarriage (or D&C) and don’t wish to conceive right away, you can start taking the Pill that same day. It must be taken for seven consecutive days in order to be an effective form of birth control.

Taking the Pill After 35

The Pill may be taken until menopause, provided you’re healthy. Continuing the pill provides effective contraceptive protection and excellent cycle control.

The age when menopause begins varies widely from one woman to the next. Even hot flashes – a common symptom of perimenopause – during the hormone-free period of the Pill pack are not a sure indication.

To determine the onset, consult your doctor, who may ask you to briefly stop taking the Pill to run blood tests.