trying to get prego!

[daniella_bella]

I'm 27yrs old. Took ortho novum 35 since I was 15. Been off 6months & I know it could take long time to get out my system. Boyfriend 41...has a few kids from past relationships no erectile problems at all...
1. Can the pill, after that long cause infertility?
2. What can I do to help my body conceive?
3. What r the chances his sperm is no good at his age?
4. What can he do to help the chances of conceiving?

THANKS!

[Sheaby]

Being on hormonal birth control CAN have effects on your fertility.  I, too, was on hormonal birth control since age 16 - got off of it at 25 - and was later diagnosed with PCOS.  My RE confirmed that it was a combination of things causing it, but that hormonal birth control was definitely a factor.  Are you cycles pretty regular yet?  Typically, your cycle should regulate 3-6 months after stopping hormonal bc.  If you are overweight, that can also have an effect on production of eggs.  The chances of his sperm not being healthy has a lot to do with his lifestyle, as a previous poster stated.  A semen analysis isn't too expensive, so there wouldn't be any harm in having his tested.  You could also have him take FertilAid for men - which is just a vitamin supplement to increase the health of his little swimmers.  There's not a whole lot he can really do to help in conceiving, but you can start tracking your cycle to figure out your most fertile days.  Avoid having sex daily, and instead BD every OTHER day, which also helps sperm regeneration and health.  It may also be best to have your doctor do a vaginal ultrasound to make sure you don't have PCOS, edometriosis, or anything that could be preventing ovulation as well.  Best of luck!

[kerrie212]

I have pcos and didn't have a period I was also on the depo when I was younger ! I was trying for a baby for 6 months and still no period,my doc referred me to see a gyno up the hospital where there they checked if me and my partner where working fine ! After starting on Clomid and other tablets to kick start my period 5 week ago I am ovulating so don't worry about it things can get done to solve this ! Ask your doc to refer you . Hope everything goes well

[New Mommy 2 Be 2007]

Best of luck to you, I gotten of mirena last month the IUD , I'm TTC and hoping everything works out great. I'm scared and want to cry, after stories I read about TTC after birth control

[Heather5]

1. As far as I know, being on the pill for an extended period of time should not have an effect on your fertility...although, like you said, it can take a little while for your body to get back on track after you stop.
2. Since you've only been trying for 6 months, I wouldn't worry too much at this point, but if you want to make sure you maximize your chances, you could always try an ovulation prediction kit (OPK) next month. That will tell you your two best days to conceive.
3. The only way to know how his sperm count, motility, etc. is to do a semen analysis, but I wouldn't worry about that until you've tried for a few more months.
4. Sperm health can be helped by living a healthy lifestyle, and things like smoking can have a negative impact. Certain vitamins can sometimes help, so taking a daily multivitamin could be a good idea (and that goes for you, too, preferably a prenatal vitamin in your case).

Best of luck with everything!