Does Birth Control Stop Ovulation?

How hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy

Hormonal birth control is designed to stop ovulation by supplying a steady level of estrogen and/or progestin every day. For pregnancy to occur, an egg must be present in the fallopian tube for the sperm to fertilize. So, when hormonal contraceptives stop ovulation, an egg is not released from the ovary. With no egg for the sperm to join, pregnancy is prevented.

Combined hormonal pills, NuvaRing, the patch, Depo-Provera, Nexplanon, Slynd and the mini pill prevent ovulation. Other hormonal birth control methods like Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, and Liletta thicken 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?"

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How Does Birth Control Stop Ovulation?

Hormonal birth control prevents ovulation by blocking the signal that triggers two key hormones involved in ovulation: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These two hormones will begin to be produced if your body notices a shortage of estrogen and progesterone.

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

  • Normally, the hypothalamus in your brain detects when your estrogen levels are low, typically during the first days of your menstrual cycle.
  • During certain phases of your menstrual cycle, your hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This is the hormone that signals the pituitary gland in your brain to make FSH and LH.
  • Since birth control prevents the hypothalamic message from being sent to your pituitary gland, the pituitary gland does not produce FSH. Without the release of FSH, there is no signal to trigger the growth and development of egg follicles in the ovaries.
  • Ovulation normally takes place in response to a surge of LH that triggers an egg to be released from the ovary. With hormonal birth control, there is no LH surge, so the egg's release is not activated and ovulation does not take place.

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

Non-Hormonal Birth Control

Since ovulation is a process driven by hormones, using non-hormone birth control will not stop you from ovulating. Rather than affecting your hormones, non-hormonal methods work by blocking sperm from effectively reaching the uterus.

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.

Barrier methods: Diaphragms and cervical caps are small devices that are placed inside the vagina and work by blocking sperm from entering the cervix. They are less effective than the IUD; about 17 out of 100 women will still get pregnant despite using a diaphragm as birth control. Condoms are another barrier method that are about 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Spermacide: Available as a cream, foam, gel, or suppository, spermacides are made of chemicals that kill sperm before they enter the cervix. Spermacide may be used alone or as extra protection along with a barrier method. "The sponge" is another barrier method that releases spermacide when activated with water. Used by itself, spermacide is about 82% effective at preventing pregnancy.

What Is Ovulation?

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 the fallopian tubes. The egg then travels to the uterus and implants in the uterine lining.

The mature egg survives for just about 24 hours in the reproductive tract. If it is fertilized by sperm during this window, then pregnancy occurs. If it is not fertilized, the body sheds the egg along with the thickened uterine lining. This shedding results in menstrual bleeding, otherwise known as a period.

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:

  • Change in cervical fluid: You may notice increased vaginal discharge that resembles "egg whites" shortly before and during ovulation.
  • Change in basal body temperature: Just before ovulation, most women have a slight decline in basal body temperature (temperature when fully at rest). The temperature will increase sharply after ovulation.
  • Change in cervix position and firmness: To prepare for the possibility of fertilization, the cervix becomes soft, high, open, and wet during ovulation.

Some people also experience a combination of the following symptoms:

  • Light spotting
  • Slight cramping on one side of the pelvis
  • Tender breasts
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Increased libido (sex drive)
  • Heightened senses

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 one-half 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 of breast 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.

Summary

Hormonal birth control methods prevent pregnancy by blocking hormone changes that trigger ovulation. In some cases, the hormonal IUD and progestin-only birth control may not stop ovulation as intended. If you wish to prevent pregnancy, you should use a second form of birth control when having intercourse, such as a condom or diaphragm.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What type of birth control stops ovulation?

    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. 

  • How quickly do birth control pills work to stop ovulation?

    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.

  • Why do I still ovulate while taking the pill?

    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.

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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.