This problem will probably grow no worse, but neither will it improve with the use of oral contraceptives. Studies have shown that after the cessation of birth control pills, up to 3 percent of women will experience ovulatory problems. These women usually respond very well to treatment. Problems conceiving that are often attributed to long-term use of the Pill are, in my opinion, more likely due to the fact that as women grow older, their odds for getting pregnant deteriorate naturally. Because Margaret and Richard waited until their mid-thirties to start their family, they had to face this problem.
Some experts feel that the normal aging of the reproductive organs diminishes fertility.
As you grow older the fertility potential of the eggs remaining in the ovaries decreases. Others feel that the longer you wait to conceive, the more you risk reducing fertility through infections, use of IUDs, or surgeries. In later chapters you will learn more about how each of these factors can affect your fertility. Table 2-1 shows what your odds are for pregnancy at various ages, assuming that you have no serious fertility problems. As you can see, regardless of the causes, fertility decreases with age.