Do You Ovulate While on the Birth Control Pill?

You generally won't ovulate when you're on the pill, especially if you're taking combination birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin.

The hormones in the pill stop you from ovulating, which is what makes them effective birth control methods. If there is no egg released, there is nothing for sperm to fertilize and, therefore, no pregnancy.

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The key to stopping ovulation with birth control pills is proper use. Understanding how each type of pill works can help you gain a better understanding of your fertility.

This article discusses how different types of birth control pills affect ovulation.

How Birth Control Affects Ovulation

Ovulation occurs when one of your ovaries releases an egg. When ovulation happens, the egg can be fertilized by a sperm and pregnancy can occur.

If you aren't using hormonal birth control, ovulation usually happens mid-cycle, or around 14 days before your menstrual period.

Sperm can live for three to five days in a woman's reproductive organs and an egg lives for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. So you are most likely to get pregnant if you have sex in the two to three days before or on the day of ovulation.

If you are using hormonal birth control, that changes the scenario. Generally speaking, hormonal birth control sends messages to your brain saying you've already ovulated. This stops ovulation from occurring. The way in which this works depends on the method of birth control you are using.

You won't lose eggs if you're on hormonal birth control. The hormones in the birth control tell your brain that you've already ovulated. This stops your body from releasing an egg, which prevents pregnancy.

Combination Birth Control Pills and Ovulation

Combination birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone. They prevent ovulation by tricking your brain into thinking you've already ovulated.

During a natural menstrual cycle, when you're not using hormonal birth control, levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone rise and fall. These hormones communicate with the pituitary gland, which controls ovulation.

If you use combination birth control pills, the hormone levels remain fairly steady throughout your cycle. This tells the pituitary gland that ovulation is not necessary.

Progestin-Only Birth Control Pills and Ovulation

The hormone in the progestin-only birth control pill, or mini-pill, sometimes stops ovulation. The main way it prevents pregnancy is by thickening the mucus in the cervix. This prevents sperm from reaching an egg, even if you have ovulated.

When You Might Ovulate on the Pill

If you do not take your birth control pill every day at the same time, there may not be enough hormones in your body and ovulation may occur. The risk of ovulation increases if you miss more than one pill in a row.

As mentioned, ovulation is possible if using the mini-pill, but the egg will not become fertilized with proper pill use.

You won't know if you are ovulating unless you test for luteinizing hormone. Rising levels of this hormone tell the ovary to release the egg. Estrogens and progesterone in birth control pills lower the amount of this hormone.

Summary

Combination birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestin keep your body from ovulating. Since there's no egg for the sperm to fertilize, this method prevents pregnancy.

The combination birth control pill keeps hormone levels steady in your body to send a message to your brain that you've already ovulated.

Progestin-only birth control pills may stop ovulation. However, the main way it prevents pregnancy is by thickening mucus in the cervix to keep sperm from reaching the egg.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does it take to start ovulating after stopping the pill?

    Fertility returns quickly once you're no longer taking hormone birth control pills. On average, women begin menstruation within 32 days of stopping the pill, so ovulation may begin as early as two weeks after stopping your contraception. 

  • Does the morning after pill stop ovulation?

    Yes. Researchers originally thought a fertilized egg wouldn't be implanted if you took levonorgestrel, the medication used in Plan B and other forms of emergency contraception. However, recent studies suggest that this type of contraception works by preventing an egg from being released and fertilized. It’s estimated that it can prevent ovulation 15% of the time if it’s taken before the egg is released.

  • Why am I not ovulating?

    Hormone birth control can stop you from ovulating, but there are also several possible medical causes. These include:

    • Being underweight
    • Being obese
    • Endocrine disorders
    • Primary ovarian insufficiency
    • Polycystic ovary syndrome
    • Aging
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Bouchard TP, Fehring RJ, Schneider MM. Achieving pregnancy using primary care interventions to identify the fertile window. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017;4:250. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00250

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  5. Chabbert-Buffet N, Jamin C, Lete I, et al. Missed pills: frequency, reasons, consequences and solutions. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2017;22(3):165-169. doi:1080/13625187.2017.1295437

  6. MedlinePlus. Ovulation home test.

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

  8. Peck R, Rella W, Tudela J, Aznar J, Mozzanega B. Does levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive have a post-fertilization effect? A review of its mechanism of action. Linacre Q. 2016;83(1):35-51. doi:10.1179/2050854915y.0000000011

  9. National Institute of Health. What are some possible causes of female infertility?

Additional Reading

By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC
Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience.