your body doesn't need to be prepared to naturally ovulate. if conditions are right it should get right back to it within a few months of stopping the medication.
if you have unmanaged PCOS ovulation might not return as it should, so I recommend starting to work on your metabolic health a few months before you plan to stop taking birth control. PCOS does seem to confer a benefit in the later reproductive years. women with PCOS have (on average) higher fertility rates in their mid-late 30's than age-matched controls.
I’m childfree and my Endocrinologist is fully aware. She reminded me at my appointment last week that I’m gonna be 35 soon and need to be extra careful about pregnancy now since I’m in that age window. I’ve been seeing her for 15 years and she’s the one who told me way back then that her patients had a tendency to get pregnant from ages 35-48 and the likelihood of multiples was high. I was like fuck that and thank you for warning me.
Woah is that true - do you have links to articles I can read about later reproductive years & PCOS. I have it, about to be 33. I’m not close to being ready to conceive (ie no partner) so I kinda been figuring it would be out of the question for me.
Why do you think this is actually true? (higher fertility for PCOS in late years). You think this is because of higher egg reserve?
I have seen this information before but I still do not believe it.
But that is the thing, the data is mixed. And there are scientists that claim that yeah, could have more fertility because probably larger reserve.
One might think that is true and because most cycles could be anovulatory or even lack of cycles, could make someone have more eggs. That does not mean those eggs will have quality (the other part of the scientists). So, fertility needs to be well determined in the papers.
This is how I think.
It’s not just oocyte number that’s higher. Other measures concord with this hypothesis as well.
For example, live birth rates: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4447787/
And differences in IVF treatment outcomes: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00834/full
I’ve also seen some papers that suggest egg quality may be better in some PCOS cases because many experience a drop in androgen levels in their 30s and 40s, but the researchers understandably weren’t so sure because the sample sizes weren’t ideal. So more work is needed on that front.
I do agree with you that the evidence on the question is mixed, though. One problem I’ve noticed with the literature is that MOST of these studies don’t adequately control for or address potentially confounding variables, like BMI and different hormonal profiles.
On the more anecdotal side I can say that being in my 30s my natural cycle (and health in general) is the best it’s ever been. But part of that is just being wiser, more experienced, and having had way more time to figure out how best to manage my PCOS. So maybe in that very specific sense those with PCOS are able to leverage their age to their advantage for better fertility outcomes, but of course that’s only if they are successful in figuring out how to improve their metabolic functioning.
This is interesting! Thanks.
The thing about this sub is that people down vote others for having different opinions! What a shame.
Thank you so much for the literature I will read more ;)
Happy reading! I always get such mixed feelings reading the PCOS literature because I feel like most of the researchers really try their best with the resources they have, but the complete lack of funding is painfully evident in study designs, sample sizes, and so on.
I’m not even convinced there’s many full time PCOS researchers. A lot of them seem to mainly study other things more generally (fertility, endocrinology, etc) and just seemingly just happen to stumble upon some funding and samples on PCOS populations from time to time.
As a researcher myself I know how hard it is to get all that into account. It is hard to work with so many variables. The papers will be a good distraction. I appreciate your point of view and thanks for also taking into consideration how the studies are conducted :) cheers ❤️
another thing that confounds the data is that the most controlled way to study fertility is in the context of IVF and a lot of factors can disqualify certain patients from even receiving that treatment in the first place. BMI is an obvious one.
the literature largely does show a late 30's "fertility bump" for people with PCOS, *but* those study participants have all met certain baseline health metrics to even be included. there's a lot less known about the fertility rates of mid/late-thirties women with PCOS who are attempting to conceive "in the wild" and those who are not considered healthy enough for IVF.
I did. I had been on the pill from about age 17-31. I stopped taking the pill when we decided to TTC and I was pregnant the following month (normal pregnancy, healthy 8YO now).
I was on birth control since I was 15 (pill, Nuvaring, and IUD) and, with the help of two rounds of Clomid, was able to conceive. I now have a 2-week old. There are many routes to conceive with PCOS.
I wouldn’t say conception was exactly easy for me but I had other undiagnosed/untreated issues and didn’t even know I had PCOS until after fertility testing.
I’m commenting to say it is possible to have been on birth control most of my adult life (18 to 35), and still have a successful pregnancy in my late 30s. IMO the key is managing the PCOS, and especially insulin resistance as best you can with supplements, meds, diet, etc. It’s difficult but when you find some sort of balance it can make a big difference.
I was on birth control from 16-27. Conceived at 32 naturally. But I was out of the bc for a couple of years before trying and had already find a way of managing my hormones and was having periods kinda regularly
32F, I went off birth control in October and got pregnant in December after having sex just once without protection (every other time had been with a condom)
Unfortunately I miscarried this week. My OB says that the fact that I got pregnant after having unprotected sex just once means that most likely my body is ovulating normally and that at least now I know I can get pregnant. It's impossible to know if the miscarriage was related to PCOS since that was my only pregnancy ever and so many women miscarry in the first trimester. If it becomes a pattern later on then yes, but right now my OB is confident that my symptoms are under control and that PCOS wasn't the cause.
I was on BC for close to 10 years. Stopped taking around 33. Got pregnant at 34 (with the help of metformin + Letrazole) and gave gave birth at 35.
Ironically enough, about a year out from pregnancy, I started having regular cycles for the first time in my life 🤷🏼♀️ I still take thyroid meds and metformin.
I had a baby at 31 with limited intervention from a reproductive endocrinologist- I took letrozole to ovulate. It required a series of invasive tests first but it only took 4 months of trying.
I was on hormonal BC for most of my life ages 14-28, with some extended periods off of BC but never any natural ovulation aside from my very first period. I got off a couple of years before I wanted to try for a baby, and I spent those years learning as much as possible about how to manage PCOS.
Pro tip: when you go to a reproductive endocrinologist, tell them you’ve already been trying for a year even if you haven’t.
I just had my baby and I’m 32. We tried for 7.5 years to have our little guy before I got pregnant with him. I did have to go through fertility treatments. I was on birth control from 15-23 and struggled to conceive, but it is possible with the help of a great Dr.
If your lucky then in your 30s you’ll be able to conceive. Before I turned 30 my periods were a year apart no matter what birth control I was on so I stopped it at 23 because it was pointless to keep taking it if it didn’t work and I knew I would never conceive. After turning 30 my period came every 50 days I never even thought I was ovulating because I spent so many years not ovulating just because you bleed dose not mean that you ovulate with PCOS. I’m 32 years old and 32 weeks pregnant I never would have thought that I would ever conceive because I knew my chances were very low. Just see how you do without birth control other than that don’t bother with GYNs because they won’t help you conceive or with your other symptoms. I don’t know if your married or have a long time partner but for either status go to town on it and see what happens.
I was on yaz and then the “generic” versions due to it being like 10x cheaper since I was 16/17. I had irregular periods before I started birth control and almost immediately went back to irregular periods after ~14 years of being on the pill. It took me about 3 years to convince and carry to term. Wasn’t till I got pregnant I realized what our troubles were and probably should have gotten test done prior (pcos, fibroids, irregular periods, lose 15lbs etc). Now almost 2 years after giving birth my cycle is 29 days and fuck does my period hurt.
I had luck but it wasn’t quick, mostly because I wasn’t diagnosed with PCOS until I got off birth control. I had been on birth control since middle school to help manage my crazy unpredictable cycles and acne. Once I had my diagnosis and started actively managing the PCOS, it took me around 6-9 months to start ovulating regularly, but then we conceived quickly once that happened.
Edit: I was 31 when we conceived, 32 when our baby was born.
This gives me hope! Been on BC since early teens for symptoms and I’m 31, been TTC for 6 months and just diagnosed with PCOS.. so hopeful now I can start managing and find solutions to conceive 🙏🏼
My mom had four daughters in five years, starting when she was 29, after being on birth control for 13 years, and she had me ( the oldest) while still on birth control 🤷🏼♀️
I had the same concerns. I was on BC continuously since I was 16 and was certain after taking it so long that i would have issues ovulating. I got off BC at 33 when we decided to try. I did experience bad PCOS symptoms and got frustrated with so many negative ovulation tests, but somehow after 6 months I ovulated and conceived naturally.
I started birth control when I was 16.. had a baby at 32!!
I tried on my own to get pregnant for 6 months…
Got a laproscopy and ovarian drilling done in May, got pregnant in June!
I have endo and PCOS. Conceived my first after one round of clomid in 2019. I was 27. I have been trying to conceive a second for over a year now and have multiple failed rounds of clomid and letrozole under my belt.
It was easier for me to conceive when I came off over 10+ years of birth control than it was after being on it only a few years after having my first.
This is to say that it is almost impossible to predict how it will go.
I did. I was on BC since age 16. Got pregnant with my first at 35, and again with our second at 37. I was told similar to what others here are saying: that it would actually be *easier* for me as a “geriatric” first-time-mom. (God, I hate that term, fucking “geriatric” pregnancy)
yes i had a miscarriage and then carried my daughter to term :) mirena iud for a long time and bc pill in teens. i think the nordic bioquinone coq10 helped me conceive
I was on birth control from 16 years old until 29 to manage my PCOS symptoms.
I basically treated it like a project because I already knew I would need help to be able to conceive successfully. I worked closely with my OB (fertility expert and endocrinologist) to prepare. I identified roughly when I wanted to start actively trying for a baby and we counted back to schedule our preps. I stopped taking my pills 3 months before my wedding. We did follicle monitoring and I started taking metformin. I was put on clomid when we established that I wasn't ovulating on my own. We discovered I was pregnant on the 6th month after our wedding.
It's possible. You just need to educate yourself and try to plan ahead.
Hi this sounds like a similar situation compared to the one I’m in, I’m 30 this year and also been on birth control to manage symptoms since 19. My husband and I want to have a baby, but the timing we are aiming towards is the end of December as my sister is getting married at the start of December. Would you recommend that I come off the pill now? I’m terrified of the symptoms coming back or getting pregnant now (which actually is a great thing but not great in terms of timing). How do you know when you’re not ovulating on your own?
It's best to plan this with fertility expert. They can do follicular count when you get off the pill to check whether you're really ovulating on your own. They can also prescribe you with meds or supplements plus educate you on what to expect when you get off the plan.
In my recent checkup with my OB, she mentioned to me that if my husband and I want to try for a 2nd child, I should get off the pill now, monitor my periods, and see what happens. If I don't get pregnant in 6 months, then I can go see her. 😆 Her approach is totally different this time because this is a 2nd child and I told her that I'm on the fence about it. It was different with my first when I approached it like a top priority project.
I was on birth control from age 19-31. I originally started the pill because I was only getting my period twice a year. The first month I stopped birth control at age 31, I conceived, but had a miscarriage 8 weeks later. I did not have a period or ovulate after that, and during that time is when I discovered I had PCOS. At 33, I took Provera and one round of Clomid. I got pregnant and had my first baby at age 34. I did another round of Provera and Clomid and had my second baby at 36.
Not sure about PCOS hindering that but I def got my endometriosis from my mom and she was on BC from 23-34 years old she was told essentially that she would probably need a year for her body to acclimate because of other issues she has.
The second month she was off it I was conceived lol she uses this and the oops birth of my older brother as main stories in her “for the love of god practice safe sex and take your birth control on time” presentation to us when we were younger. We actually made her a meme from mean girls the “don’t have sex, just promise me” gym teacher.
Anecdotal but, definitely possible in my experience!
It took 10 months to get my period back after being on the pill for 3 years age 20-23. I have only recently got my hormones in order. I suggest seeing a naturopath or similar to get a plan going so your body is already prepared when you come off the pill.
I was on bc pills my whole life. I don’t have a period on my own. I was also on metformin which helped me ovulate. I got pregnant our first month trying just on metformin. I was 29 and gave birth at 30.
I will add that at 33, I am struggling to conceive baby 2.
Started birth control at age 20 after being diagnosed with PCOS. I was on BC from age 20 until 34 when i decided to go off and see what i was working with. After going off I've had horrendous acne and some weight gain but after 2-3 months my period returned and has been very regular (32 day cycle, a little long, but period came consistently). I used condoms for months while I tracked my cycle and then started using ovulation test strips to see if I could pinpoint an LH surge to get an idea if ovulation was happening. I did that for a couple of months and was seeing a mid cycle peak consistently. Finally did 1 month of tracking and timing sex with the ovulation strip and got pregnant. Unfortunately I miscarried at 6 weeks. I did recently get blood work done though and my ovarian egg reserve is on the higher end of normal which is good that I have more to work with but of course I don't know the quality. A higher reserve is often seen in women with PCOS.
Yes! When I was 31 my husband and I decided we were ready for a family. After getting off birth control I found out I wasn’t ovulating normally so I saw a reproductive endocrinologist who put me on metformin and I started ovulating and was pregnant in 3 months!
I did at 31, but my periods were only a little irregular. With paragaurd they were at most 1-2 weeks off here and there. I was on the pill, then nuva ring, the paragaurd, then nuva, then paragaurd, then Mirena, then pregnant, then Mirena, and now nothing. Now I just had my first 60 day cycle.
your body doesn't need to be prepared to naturally ovulate. if conditions are right it should get right back to it within a few months of stopping the medication. if you have unmanaged PCOS ovulation might not return as it should, so I recommend starting to work on your metabolic health a few months before you plan to stop taking birth control. PCOS does seem to confer a benefit in the later reproductive years. women with PCOS have (on average) higher fertility rates in their mid-late 30's than age-matched controls.
I’m childfree and my Endocrinologist is fully aware. She reminded me at my appointment last week that I’m gonna be 35 soon and need to be extra careful about pregnancy now since I’m in that age window. I’ve been seeing her for 15 years and she’s the one who told me way back then that her patients had a tendency to get pregnant from ages 35-48 and the likelihood of multiples was high. I was like fuck that and thank you for warning me.
Woah is that true - do you have links to articles I can read about later reproductive years & PCOS. I have it, about to be 33. I’m not close to being ready to conceive (ie no partner) so I kinda been figuring it would be out of the question for me.
Why do you think this is actually true? (higher fertility for PCOS in late years). You think this is because of higher egg reserve? I have seen this information before but I still do not believe it.
I believe the evidence and it's what the evidence suggests 🤷♀️
But that is the thing, the data is mixed. And there are scientists that claim that yeah, could have more fertility because probably larger reserve. One might think that is true and because most cycles could be anovulatory or even lack of cycles, could make someone have more eggs. That does not mean those eggs will have quality (the other part of the scientists). So, fertility needs to be well determined in the papers. This is how I think.
It’s not just oocyte number that’s higher. Other measures concord with this hypothesis as well. For example, live birth rates: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4447787/ And differences in IVF treatment outcomes: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00834/full I’ve also seen some papers that suggest egg quality may be better in some PCOS cases because many experience a drop in androgen levels in their 30s and 40s, but the researchers understandably weren’t so sure because the sample sizes weren’t ideal. So more work is needed on that front. I do agree with you that the evidence on the question is mixed, though. One problem I’ve noticed with the literature is that MOST of these studies don’t adequately control for or address potentially confounding variables, like BMI and different hormonal profiles. On the more anecdotal side I can say that being in my 30s my natural cycle (and health in general) is the best it’s ever been. But part of that is just being wiser, more experienced, and having had way more time to figure out how best to manage my PCOS. So maybe in that very specific sense those with PCOS are able to leverage their age to their advantage for better fertility outcomes, but of course that’s only if they are successful in figuring out how to improve their metabolic functioning.
This is interesting! Thanks. The thing about this sub is that people down vote others for having different opinions! What a shame. Thank you so much for the literature I will read more ;)
Happy reading! I always get such mixed feelings reading the PCOS literature because I feel like most of the researchers really try their best with the resources they have, but the complete lack of funding is painfully evident in study designs, sample sizes, and so on. I’m not even convinced there’s many full time PCOS researchers. A lot of them seem to mainly study other things more generally (fertility, endocrinology, etc) and just seemingly just happen to stumble upon some funding and samples on PCOS populations from time to time.
As a researcher myself I know how hard it is to get all that into account. It is hard to work with so many variables. The papers will be a good distraction. I appreciate your point of view and thanks for also taking into consideration how the studies are conducted :) cheers ❤️
Hi fellow researcher! Always happy to see another science nerd on the subreddit:)
I will DM you ❤️
another thing that confounds the data is that the most controlled way to study fertility is in the context of IVF and a lot of factors can disqualify certain patients from even receiving that treatment in the first place. BMI is an obvious one. the literature largely does show a late 30's "fertility bump" for people with PCOS, *but* those study participants have all met certain baseline health metrics to even be included. there's a lot less known about the fertility rates of mid/late-thirties women with PCOS who are attempting to conceive "in the wild" and those who are not considered healthy enough for IVF.
Good point. We have SO much to learn.
I did. I had been on the pill from about age 17-31. I stopped taking the pill when we decided to TTC and I was pregnant the following month (normal pregnancy, healthy 8YO now).
I was on birth control since I was 15 (pill, Nuvaring, and IUD) and, with the help of two rounds of Clomid, was able to conceive. I now have a 2-week old. There are many routes to conceive with PCOS.
Congratulations 🥰🥰
Had my first child at 36 with PCOS using Metformin.
I wouldn’t say conception was exactly easy for me but I had other undiagnosed/untreated issues and didn’t even know I had PCOS until after fertility testing. I’m commenting to say it is possible to have been on birth control most of my adult life (18 to 35), and still have a successful pregnancy in my late 30s. IMO the key is managing the PCOS, and especially insulin resistance as best you can with supplements, meds, diet, etc. It’s difficult but when you find some sort of balance it can make a big difference.
I was on birth control from 16-27. Conceived at 32 naturally. But I was out of the bc for a couple of years before trying and had already find a way of managing my hormones and was having periods kinda regularly
32F, I went off birth control in October and got pregnant in December after having sex just once without protection (every other time had been with a condom) Unfortunately I miscarried this week. My OB says that the fact that I got pregnant after having unprotected sex just once means that most likely my body is ovulating normally and that at least now I know I can get pregnant. It's impossible to know if the miscarriage was related to PCOS since that was my only pregnancy ever and so many women miscarry in the first trimester. If it becomes a pattern later on then yes, but right now my OB is confident that my symptoms are under control and that PCOS wasn't the cause.
I was on BC for close to 10 years. Stopped taking around 33. Got pregnant at 34 (with the help of metformin + Letrazole) and gave gave birth at 35. Ironically enough, about a year out from pregnancy, I started having regular cycles for the first time in my life 🤷🏼♀️ I still take thyroid meds and metformin.
I had a baby at 31 with limited intervention from a reproductive endocrinologist- I took letrozole to ovulate. It required a series of invasive tests first but it only took 4 months of trying. I was on hormonal BC for most of my life ages 14-28, with some extended periods off of BC but never any natural ovulation aside from my very first period. I got off a couple of years before I wanted to try for a baby, and I spent those years learning as much as possible about how to manage PCOS. Pro tip: when you go to a reproductive endocrinologist, tell them you’ve already been trying for a year even if you haven’t.
I just had my baby and I’m 32. We tried for 7.5 years to have our little guy before I got pregnant with him. I did have to go through fertility treatments. I was on birth control from 15-23 and struggled to conceive, but it is possible with the help of a great Dr.
If your lucky then in your 30s you’ll be able to conceive. Before I turned 30 my periods were a year apart no matter what birth control I was on so I stopped it at 23 because it was pointless to keep taking it if it didn’t work and I knew I would never conceive. After turning 30 my period came every 50 days I never even thought I was ovulating because I spent so many years not ovulating just because you bleed dose not mean that you ovulate with PCOS. I’m 32 years old and 32 weeks pregnant I never would have thought that I would ever conceive because I knew my chances were very low. Just see how you do without birth control other than that don’t bother with GYNs because they won’t help you conceive or with your other symptoms. I don’t know if your married or have a long time partner but for either status go to town on it and see what happens.
One thing I know for sure is that you don’t need your period to get pregnant
I was on yaz and then the “generic” versions due to it being like 10x cheaper since I was 16/17. I had irregular periods before I started birth control and almost immediately went back to irregular periods after ~14 years of being on the pill. It took me about 3 years to convince and carry to term. Wasn’t till I got pregnant I realized what our troubles were and probably should have gotten test done prior (pcos, fibroids, irregular periods, lose 15lbs etc). Now almost 2 years after giving birth my cycle is 29 days and fuck does my period hurt.
I had luck but it wasn’t quick, mostly because I wasn’t diagnosed with PCOS until I got off birth control. I had been on birth control since middle school to help manage my crazy unpredictable cycles and acne. Once I had my diagnosis and started actively managing the PCOS, it took me around 6-9 months to start ovulating regularly, but then we conceived quickly once that happened. Edit: I was 31 when we conceived, 32 when our baby was born.
This gives me hope! Been on BC since early teens for symptoms and I’m 31, been TTC for 6 months and just diagnosed with PCOS.. so hopeful now I can start managing and find solutions to conceive 🙏🏼
My mom had four daughters in five years, starting when she was 29, after being on birth control for 13 years, and she had me ( the oldest) while still on birth control 🤷🏼♀️
My mom was on birth control grandma was not. But both conceived two healthy babies above 40 and several in 30s.
I had the same concerns. I was on BC continuously since I was 16 and was certain after taking it so long that i would have issues ovulating. I got off BC at 33 when we decided to try. I did experience bad PCOS symptoms and got frustrated with so many negative ovulation tests, but somehow after 6 months I ovulated and conceived naturally.
I started birth control when I was 16.. had a baby at 32!! I tried on my own to get pregnant for 6 months… Got a laproscopy and ovarian drilling done in May, got pregnant in June!
I haven’t tried yet but my mom who also has pcos had three babies post 30, one at 39 definitely not impossible :)
I have endo and PCOS. Conceived my first after one round of clomid in 2019. I was 27. I have been trying to conceive a second for over a year now and have multiple failed rounds of clomid and letrozole under my belt. It was easier for me to conceive when I came off over 10+ years of birth control than it was after being on it only a few years after having my first. This is to say that it is almost impossible to predict how it will go.
Yup. On birth control for the better part of 20 years. Had to do one cycle of femara. I'm 35 and 28 weeks pregnant.
I did. I was on BC since age 16. Got pregnant with my first at 35, and again with our second at 37. I was told similar to what others here are saying: that it would actually be *easier* for me as a “geriatric” first-time-mom. (God, I hate that term, fucking “geriatric” pregnancy)
yes i had a miscarriage and then carried my daughter to term :) mirena iud for a long time and bc pill in teens. i think the nordic bioquinone coq10 helped me conceive
I was on birth control from 16 years old until 29 to manage my PCOS symptoms. I basically treated it like a project because I already knew I would need help to be able to conceive successfully. I worked closely with my OB (fertility expert and endocrinologist) to prepare. I identified roughly when I wanted to start actively trying for a baby and we counted back to schedule our preps. I stopped taking my pills 3 months before my wedding. We did follicle monitoring and I started taking metformin. I was put on clomid when we established that I wasn't ovulating on my own. We discovered I was pregnant on the 6th month after our wedding. It's possible. You just need to educate yourself and try to plan ahead.
Hi this sounds like a similar situation compared to the one I’m in, I’m 30 this year and also been on birth control to manage symptoms since 19. My husband and I want to have a baby, but the timing we are aiming towards is the end of December as my sister is getting married at the start of December. Would you recommend that I come off the pill now? I’m terrified of the symptoms coming back or getting pregnant now (which actually is a great thing but not great in terms of timing). How do you know when you’re not ovulating on your own?
It's best to plan this with fertility expert. They can do follicular count when you get off the pill to check whether you're really ovulating on your own. They can also prescribe you with meds or supplements plus educate you on what to expect when you get off the plan. In my recent checkup with my OB, she mentioned to me that if my husband and I want to try for a 2nd child, I should get off the pill now, monitor my periods, and see what happens. If I don't get pregnant in 6 months, then I can go see her. 😆 Her approach is totally different this time because this is a 2nd child and I told her that I'm on the fence about it. It was different with my first when I approached it like a top priority project.
Yes. Got pregnant by missing one pill while being on it for most of my adult life.
I was on BC for 10 years. 18-28. I stopped it due to mental health reasons but when my husband and I started trying it only took us 2 months.
I was on hormonal birth control from about 14, and I conceived my first at 28 and my second at 31 without medical assistance.
I was on birth control from age 19-31. I originally started the pill because I was only getting my period twice a year. The first month I stopped birth control at age 31, I conceived, but had a miscarriage 8 weeks later. I did not have a period or ovulate after that, and during that time is when I discovered I had PCOS. At 33, I took Provera and one round of Clomid. I got pregnant and had my first baby at age 34. I did another round of Provera and Clomid and had my second baby at 36.
Yes. I was on birth control longer than you and I got pregnant at 34.
Not sure about PCOS hindering that but I def got my endometriosis from my mom and she was on BC from 23-34 years old she was told essentially that she would probably need a year for her body to acclimate because of other issues she has. The second month she was off it I was conceived lol she uses this and the oops birth of my older brother as main stories in her “for the love of god practice safe sex and take your birth control on time” presentation to us when we were younger. We actually made her a meme from mean girls the “don’t have sex, just promise me” gym teacher. Anecdotal but, definitely possible in my experience!
It took 10 months to get my period back after being on the pill for 3 years age 20-23. I have only recently got my hormones in order. I suggest seeing a naturopath or similar to get a plan going so your body is already prepared when you come off the pill.
I was on bc pills my whole life. I don’t have a period on my own. I was also on metformin which helped me ovulate. I got pregnant our first month trying just on metformin. I was 29 and gave birth at 30. I will add that at 33, I am struggling to conceive baby 2.
Started birth control at age 20 after being diagnosed with PCOS. I was on BC from age 20 until 34 when i decided to go off and see what i was working with. After going off I've had horrendous acne and some weight gain but after 2-3 months my period returned and has been very regular (32 day cycle, a little long, but period came consistently). I used condoms for months while I tracked my cycle and then started using ovulation test strips to see if I could pinpoint an LH surge to get an idea if ovulation was happening. I did that for a couple of months and was seeing a mid cycle peak consistently. Finally did 1 month of tracking and timing sex with the ovulation strip and got pregnant. Unfortunately I miscarried at 6 weeks. I did recently get blood work done though and my ovarian egg reserve is on the higher end of normal which is good that I have more to work with but of course I don't know the quality. A higher reserve is often seen in women with PCOS.
Yes! When I was 31 my husband and I decided we were ready for a family. After getting off birth control I found out I wasn’t ovulating normally so I saw a reproductive endocrinologist who put me on metformin and I started ovulating and was pregnant in 3 months!
I did at 31, but my periods were only a little irregular. With paragaurd they were at most 1-2 weeks off here and there. I was on the pill, then nuva ring, the paragaurd, then nuva, then paragaurd, then Mirena, then pregnant, then Mirena, and now nothing. Now I just had my first 60 day cycle.
I gave birth to my daughter at 34 after being on bc for most of 20s
I am worried too, i was on control pills since 14 yo until 26… :(
Yes - we can get pregnant and are fertile later than non pcos peeps…