A very small number of women can't tolerate oral contraceptives. And there are certain women who should not take the Pill. Dr. Burstein says that women smokers over the age of 35 fall into this category. Their risk of cardiovascular disease multiplies. When a Pill taker is ready to become pregnant, she should not try immediately.
Most experts recommend three Pill-free menstrual cycles before attempting to conceive.
The Bottom Line Oral contraceptives are available through doctor's prescription only. Obtaining a prescription begins with a trip to your women's health care provider. If you are new to oral contraceptives, a follow up appointment to check your progress might be necessary. After that, your annual visit to the gynecologist should be enough to keep you on track and pregnancy free so long as you keep popping those Pills. Easing back into intimacy Shel Franco is an iParenting senior contributing writer living in Pennsylvania with her husband, Todd, their two sons and one pug dog.