QuestionWe are going to try and get pregnant and I am a nursing student. I have a small window of time to try while in school. Is it okay to stop the pill for a couple months and start taking it again? There is a history of ovarian cancer in my family, should I be concerned as to the affects of that as well?
AnswerDear Maria,
As far as any ill effects from stopping for a few months and then re-starting the BCP, there should not be any. If you do not find yourself pregnant in the few months that you want to conceive, then you can re-start them. Just make sure to take a pregnancy test right before starting the pills again even if you begin to bleed. Some women experience implantation bleeding around the time they would expect their period and dismiss pregnancy.
In order to increase your chances of conception, try to have sex every other day during the week prior to and the day of ovulation - typically around Day 14 or 15 (day 1 being the 1st day of your period). Pay attention to cervical mucus - it should get abundant and have an egg-whites consistency when you are about to ovulate and are most fertile.
Studies have consistently shown that using oral contraceptives reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, however stopping use for a short time in order to conceive would not dramatically increase your risk.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. Be well!
Brenda
