Ask a doctor on the topic of Gynecology

Stop taking the pill

April 11, 2013 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg

I am taking the pill Belara and now want to stop completely. So I will take it until the 21st day and then stop. Then, as usual, withdrawal bleeding is expected to start after 2-4 days. Assuming my hormone levels stabilize as quickly as biologically possible, when would ovulation be possible and when would the first "real" period be possible?

Thank you for the response!

Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Hello

This answer is quite simple: If everything settles back into place as quickly as possible, you could theoretically have another ovulation after about 14 days and your period could start again in 24-28 days.

Whether this actually happens so quickly depends on many factors. 1. Your age, 2. how long you have been taking the pill continuously. 3. How stable your period was before, 4. How high your hormone levels were before the pill, 5. Environmental factors (nutrition, stress, shift work, or being newly in love, etc.).
But even if all of this is known, one can only give a prognosis, which, like the weather forecast, may be more or less accurate.
The range is huge. From immediately getting back on track in the cycle naturally, to having difficulties for up to 6 months until the first "normal" cycle. The younger you are, the shorter you took the pill, the more stable your cycle was before, the higher your hormone levels are, the more relaxed and healthy you are, the faster a cycle will reestablish itself.

For most women, a stable cycle will reoccur within 2-6 weeks.

I hope I could help you with warm regards Dr. R. C. Berg