Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Birth Control Stops OvulationWhat Is Ovulation?Why It MattersFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How Birth Control Stops Ovulation

What Is Ovulation?

Why It Matters

Frequently Asked Questions

Combined hormonal pills,NuvaRing,the patch,Depo-Provera,Nexplanon,Slynd, and the mini pill prevent ovulation. Other hormonal birth control methods likeMirena,Skyla,Kyleena, andLilettathicken the cervical mucus, which impairs the sperm’s ability to bind to an egg.

This article discusses how birth control stops ovulation, how different forms of birth control work, and how to tell if you’re ovulating.

An illustration with information about “Does Birth Control Stop Ovulation?"

How Does Birth Control Stop Ovulation?

Hormonal birth control provides just enough synthetic estrogen and progesterone hormones to prevent the stimulation of FSH and LH production.

Hormonal birth control basically keeps you in the same phase of yourmenstrual cycleon a continuous basis, skipping the release of GnRH and preventing ovulation from taking place.

How Effective Is Birth Control?

Non-Hormonal Birth Control

There are three main types of non-hormonal birth control:

Copper intrauterine device (IUD):The copper IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic device wrapped in copper that slowly releases copper ions into the uterus. These ions are toxic to sperm and prevent them from entering the uterus and fallopian tubes. The copper IUD is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

How to Get Free or Low-Cost Birth Control

Ovulation is the phase of the menstrual cycle when the ovary releases an egg. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, with ovulation occurring mid-cycle, around day 14.

Leading up to the ovulation, the body produces a surge of estrogen, which causes the uterine lining (endometrium) to thicken in preparation for a possible pregnancy. This surge of estrogen eventually triggers the egg to release into thefallopian tubes. The egg then travels to the uterus and implants in the uterine lining.

Sperm can survive for several days within the female reproductive tract. Therefore, a biological female is most likely to get pregnant if they have intercourse a few days before or during ovulation.

How Do You Know If You’re Ovulating?

Ovulation results in several telltale signs and symptoms. Signs that ovulation is about to happen or is already happening include:

Some people also experience a combination of the following symptoms:

Why It Matters Whether Birth Control Stops Ovulation

You cannot get pregnant if you do not ovulate. However, it’s important to know that some people may continue to ovulate despite taking certain types of hormonal birth control. About 40% of people who take progestin-only birth control, particularly the mini pill, will still ovulate.Also, persons with hormonal or non-hormonal IUDs may continue to ovulate, though it does not change the efficacy of these contraceptive methods.

Furthermore, hormonal birth control can only stop ovulation and prevent pregnancy when it is used properly. If you miss a few pills in a row or do not use your hormonal birth control perfectly, you could still ovulate.

Research shows that hormonal birth control methods that stop ovulation do not affect fertility long-term.With that being said, there is some evidence that people who use or have recently used hormonal birth control may be at an increased risk ofbreast cancer; however, this risk was found to be low.

If you are looking into starting hormonal birth control, these are important factors to discuss with your gynecologist or healthcare provider.

Medications That Decrease Contraception Effectiveness

Summary

Frequently Asked QuestionsHormonal birth control methods including the pill, the patch, vaginal ring, and implants can stop ovulation. Combination hormonal birth control, which includes both synthetic estrogen and progesterone, is most reliable for preventing ovulation. In some women progesterone-only birth control also prevents ovulation, but it does not always work.If you start taking combination birth control pills within five days of your period starting, birth control pills will be effective right away. If you start taking birth control pills after that, it will take seven days to be effective and you should use a barrier method of birth control as backup or abstain from sex for the first week.After a week of taking pills, combined birth control pills should start to prevent ovulation. If you started the pill pack at the beginning of your cycle, you will not ovulate. If you took the first pill after day seven of your cycle, you may still ovulate the first month, but you shouldn’t ovulate after that, provided you take them daily as prescribed.Learn MoreHow Long Does It Take for Birth Control to Work?If you are taking progesterone-only birth control, you may still ovulate each month. Progesterone thickens cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter. It also thins the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to become implanted. Progesterone can prevent ovulation, but it does not always.

Hormonal birth control methods including the pill, the patch, vaginal ring, and implants can stop ovulation. Combination hormonal birth control, which includes both synthetic estrogen and progesterone, is most reliable for preventing ovulation. In some women progesterone-only birth control also prevents ovulation, but it does not always work.

If you start taking combination birth control pills within five days of your period starting, birth control pills will be effective right away. If you start taking birth control pills after that, it will take seven days to be effective and you should use a barrier method of birth control as backup or abstain from sex for the first week.After a week of taking pills, combined birth control pills should start to prevent ovulation. If you started the pill pack at the beginning of your cycle, you will not ovulate. If you took the first pill after day seven of your cycle, you may still ovulate the first month, but you shouldn’t ovulate after that, provided you take them daily as prescribed.Learn MoreHow Long Does It Take for Birth Control to Work?

If you start taking combination birth control pills within five days of your period starting, birth control pills will be effective right away. If you start taking birth control pills after that, it will take seven days to be effective and you should use a barrier method of birth control as backup or abstain from sex for the first week.After a week of taking pills, combined birth control pills should start to prevent ovulation. If you started the pill pack at the beginning of your cycle, you will not ovulate. If you took the first pill after day seven of your cycle, you may still ovulate the first month, but you shouldn’t ovulate after that, provided you take them daily as prescribed.

If you start taking combination birth control pills within five days of your period starting, birth control pills will be effective right away. If you start taking birth control pills after that, it will take seven days to be effective and you should use a barrier method of birth control as backup or abstain from sex for the first week.

After a week of taking pills, combined birth control pills should start to prevent ovulation. If you started the pill pack at the beginning of your cycle, you will not ovulate. If you took the first pill after day seven of your cycle, you may still ovulate the first month, but you shouldn’t ovulate after that, provided you take them daily as prescribed.

Learn MoreHow Long Does It Take for Birth Control to Work?

If you are taking progesterone-only birth control, you may still ovulate each month. Progesterone thickens cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter. It also thins the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for a fertilized egg to become implanted. Progesterone can prevent ovulation, but it does not always.

15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gebel Berg E.The chemistry of the pill.ACS Cent Sci. 2015;1(1):5–7. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.5b00066Jensen JT, Cerinin MD.Speroff & Darney’s Clinical Guide to Contraception. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019.Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058Goldstuck N, Cheung T.The efficacy of intrauterine devices for emergency contraception and beyond: a systematic review update.Int J Womens Health. 2019;11:471-479. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S213815Cedars Sinai.Diaphragms are making a comeback.Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.Alberta Health Services.Vaginal spermicides.Bull J, Rowland S, Scherwitzl E, et al.Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles.NPJ Digital Med. 2019;2(1):1-8. doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7Stanford Medicine.Menstrual cycle: An overview.American Pregnancy Association.Ovulation symptoms—am I ovulating?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.NHS.Intrauterine system (IUS).Yoost J.Understanding benefits and addressing misperceptions and barriers to intrauterine device access among populations in the United States.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2014;8(1):947-957. doi:10.2147/PPA.S45710Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-yMørch LS, Skovlund CW, Hannaford PC, Iversen L, Fielding S, Lidegaard Ø.Contemporary hormonal contraception and the risk of breast cancer.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(23):2228-2239. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1700732Additional ReadingAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Combined hormonal birth control: pill, patch, and ring.

15 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gebel Berg E.The chemistry of the pill.ACS Cent Sci. 2015;1(1):5–7. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.5b00066Jensen JT, Cerinin MD.Speroff & Darney’s Clinical Guide to Contraception. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019.Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058Goldstuck N, Cheung T.The efficacy of intrauterine devices for emergency contraception and beyond: a systematic review update.Int J Womens Health. 2019;11:471-479. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S213815Cedars Sinai.Diaphragms are making a comeback.Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.Alberta Health Services.Vaginal spermicides.Bull J, Rowland S, Scherwitzl E, et al.Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles.NPJ Digital Med. 2019;2(1):1-8. doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7Stanford Medicine.Menstrual cycle: An overview.American Pregnancy Association.Ovulation symptoms—am I ovulating?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.NHS.Intrauterine system (IUS).Yoost J.Understanding benefits and addressing misperceptions and barriers to intrauterine device access among populations in the United States.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2014;8(1):947-957. doi:10.2147/PPA.S45710Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-yMørch LS, Skovlund CW, Hannaford PC, Iversen L, Fielding S, Lidegaard Ø.Contemporary hormonal contraception and the risk of breast cancer.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(23):2228-2239. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1700732Additional ReadingAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Combined hormonal birth control: pill, patch, and ring.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Gebel Berg E.The chemistry of the pill.ACS Cent Sci. 2015;1(1):5–7. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.5b00066Jensen JT, Cerinin MD.Speroff & Darney’s Clinical Guide to Contraception. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019.Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058Goldstuck N, Cheung T.The efficacy of intrauterine devices for emergency contraception and beyond: a systematic review update.Int J Womens Health. 2019;11:471-479. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S213815Cedars Sinai.Diaphragms are making a comeback.Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.Alberta Health Services.Vaginal spermicides.Bull J, Rowland S, Scherwitzl E, et al.Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles.NPJ Digital Med. 2019;2(1):1-8. doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7Stanford Medicine.Menstrual cycle: An overview.American Pregnancy Association.Ovulation symptoms—am I ovulating?.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.NHS.Intrauterine system (IUS).Yoost J.Understanding benefits and addressing misperceptions and barriers to intrauterine device access among populations in the United States.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2014;8(1):947-957. doi:10.2147/PPA.S45710Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-yMørch LS, Skovlund CW, Hannaford PC, Iversen L, Fielding S, Lidegaard Ø.Contemporary hormonal contraception and the risk of breast cancer.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(23):2228-2239. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1700732

Gebel Berg E.The chemistry of the pill.ACS Cent Sci. 2015;1(1):5–7. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.5b00066

Jensen JT, Cerinin MD.Speroff & Darney’s Clinical Guide to Contraception. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019.

Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058

Goldstuck N, Cheung T.The efficacy of intrauterine devices for emergency contraception and beyond: a systematic review update.Int J Womens Health. 2019;11:471-479. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S213815

Cedars Sinai.Diaphragms are making a comeback.

Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.

Alberta Health Services.Vaginal spermicides.

Bull J, Rowland S, Scherwitzl E, et al.Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles.NPJ Digital Med. 2019;2(1):1-8. doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7

Stanford Medicine.Menstrual cycle: An overview.

American Pregnancy Association.Ovulation symptoms—am I ovulating?.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: pill and injection.

NHS.Intrauterine system (IUS).

Yoost J.Understanding benefits and addressing misperceptions and barriers to intrauterine device access among populations in the United States.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2014;8(1):947-957. doi:10.2147/PPA.S45710

Girum T, Wasie A.Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Contracept Reprod Med. 2018;3(1):9. doi:10.1186/s40834-018-0064-y

Mørch LS, Skovlund CW, Hannaford PC, Iversen L, Fielding S, Lidegaard Ø.Contemporary hormonal contraception and the risk of breast cancer.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(23):2228-2239. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1700732

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Combined hormonal birth control: pill, patch, and ring.

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