Question for the BCP Experts

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2004
Question for the BCP Experts
9
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 2:55pm
okay, I have a question about bcp's. I started bcp's when I was 18 and now I'm 29. So, you know how you are born with so many millions of eggs?...well then what happens to them when you're on bcp's? O'ing is inhibited when on bcp's right? So do they just never develop and hang out in your ovaries?

So if I've been on bcp's for over 10 years and never O'd during that time, do I still have this bountiful amount of eggs that weren't used? If I still have these eggs, does it possibly mean that menopause will start later for me? I'm really curious to know all this if any of you have the info or can direct me to a site that can explain this. Really, what happens to the eggs that you don't use while on bcp's? Sorry, if that's a silly question...I just really don't know. = )

Thanks,

Isabella

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2004
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 11:35pm
I don't know either, but I've been kinda curious myself. I know I'll probly end up being on the pill for close to 10 years myself. Anyways, anyone out there know??
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 12:39am
Hey there! I'm not an expert on BCP, but i did happen to see something on the news about this. There are some factors but if a women is on BC for long periods of time (i think it is 10+ years) she will then reach menopause in a later age. Just like you said, you have so many eggs, and BC inhibits ovulation and therefore you never release eggs for countless months. Its hard saying how long it delays menopause. It might only delay it so many years before mother nature takes over regardless of how long you were on BCP. There may not be any substantional evidence to show that menopause is delayed due to BCP, but there is a correlation in women who take BCP for long periods of time and going through menopause later in life.

Wish i could remember where i saw this... But it seems accurate.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 10:21am
A 2003 Q&A session that discusses the subject is: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/75/89898.htm There is research being done to see if it’s possible to prolong fertility and there are differing opinions.

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2004
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 12:51am
bump
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 11:26am
Though I really should go back through my text books and look this up, I will give you a quick answer for now. The combination pill prevents ovulation by suppressing the natural hormones in the body that would stimulate the ovary to release an egg. By taking this estrogen throughout the month, you insure that no egg will be developed or released for that cycle. Menopause is the last stage of a gradual biological process in which the ovaries reduce their production of female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. So it really depends on when your body decides to stop producing these hormones; not the amount of undeveloped eggs that are left. Hope this helps!

Josie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 8:18am
I think you're right, Josie... I've heard before that menopause isn't when you run out of eggs, it's when you stop producing hormones in the right proportions to ovulate and have periods.
Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 11:46am
Also, I found this while looking on the tcoyf site:

"Women are born with over 400,000 eggs, but have nowhere near that many periods in their life, thank goodness! Instead, at menopause, the woman’s body stops responding to the hormones that cause the eggs to mature in the ovary before being released at ovulation."

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2004
Wed, 08-25-2004 - 11:07pm
okay, so what about the eggs that aren't used while taking bcp's. Are they still there? Would I still sort of have the same amount when I was 18 and started bcp's compared to now (29 y.o.)?

Isabella

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Thu, 08-26-2004 - 9:18am
I guess you could say the eggs that arent used while on bcps lay dormant in the ovaries. They dont mature and you dont ovulate. I would assume you would still have the same amount. But with over 400,000 eggs, we couldnt possibly need/use them all! After menopause, the eggs that are left lay dormant also.