I must admit that my favorite group among the women who come to courses and consultations on fertility awareness methods are those who have decided to give up hormonal contraception. Contrary to what one might think, these women do not require especially gentle treatment or exceptional indulgence – quite the opposite: they are highly motivated and persistent. Their situation is not easy, however. Cycle charts after discontinuing synthetic hormones are often exceptionally difficult to interpret, and this is frequently accompanied by a prolonged period of sexual abstinence.

• Disruption of pituitary gland function, intended to block the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) responsible for ovulation and to disturb the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles.
• Slowing of the peristaltic movements of the fallopian tubes, which is meant to delay the transport of the embryo to the uterine cavity.
• Impairment of the proper development of the uterine lining (endometrium) to prevent implantation of the embryo and its proper development and nourishment.
• Disturbance of the normal functioning of the cervix and the crypts that produce cervical mucus, resulting in “aging” of the cervix and a reduction in mucus production – all to hinder the survival of sperm in the female reproductive tract.
• Suppression of the production of natural female sex hormones and their replacement with higher concentrations of synthetic hormones, which shuts down the natural menstrual cycle and replaces it with a so-called “hormonal prosthesis.”

For women who discontinue hormonal contraception and do not observe fertility markers in their cycles, the time until the first natural menstruation can be very stressful, full of doubt and anxiety related to the possibility of pregnancy or even suspicion of illness.

That is why it is worth taking up the challenge, listening to the language of your own body, and learning more about your fertility and its individual rhythm. Awareness of your current fertility status brings reassurance and peace of mind, helps eliminate unnecessary stress, and rules out unfounded fears of pregnancy or pathological conditions.

Based on daily observation of fertility symptoms, it is possible – without repeated doctor’s visits or specialized tests – to identify disturbances typical of post-hormonal cycles, such as:

• fluctuations in the length of the cycle and its individual phases;
• a prolonged pre-ovulatory phase, the appearance and disappearance of fertility symptoms, and delayed ovulation;
• lack of ovulation;
• an excessively shortened post-ovulatory phase, which can significantly hinder efforts to conceive and may result in miscarriage;
• the occurrence of mid-cycle bleeding;
• increased intensity and pain of menstrual bleeding;
• absence of cervical mucus or the presence of only low-quality mucus;
• the presence of vaginal discharge throughout the entire cycle;
• atypical changes in the cervix.

The process of returning to normal, natural cycles is highly individual. It may take three months, or it may take even more than a year. Everything depends on the type of substances used, the age at which their use began, and the duration of use. The state of fertility and overall health before starting hormonal contraception is also important.

You can read more about the course of a normal cycle here:

The main reasons for giving up hormonal contraception are a deteriorating state of health, increasing side effects, and the decision to start trying for a baby. It should be remembered, however, that the body needs time to “recover” after the use of synthetic hormones and to resume the production of natural hormones – especially to produce them at proper, optimal levels.

Below are some basic recommendations worth following during the transition from synthetic to natural hormones:

• Because of the risk of miscarriage and complications in pregnancy development, it is not advisable to start trying for a baby in the first three months after stopping hormonal contraception. Ideally, you should wait until your cycles have normalized.
• If you used hormonal injections, the return of fertility will take longer and may be chaotic; therefore, ongoing cooperation with a fertility awareness instructor (NFP teacher) is recommended, and medical consultation or additional treatment is often needed.
• It is best to begin charting your cycle immediately after finishing the last pack of pills, removing the last patch, or taking out an implant. The first observed fertility signs are usually atypical, but over time they should normalize and form a pattern unique to you.
• The first cycle after stopping hormonal contraception should, in principle, be devoted to careful observation of biomarkers and gaining experience in recognizing your individual fertility signs (including any periodically occurring discomforts).
• To eliminate user error, it is recommended to modify the basic sympto-thermal rule for determining the phase of absolute (certain) infertility: the post-ovulatory infertile phase begins in the evening of the fourth (not the third) day of higher temperatures following the so-called mucus peak day.
• In the first cycle after discontinuation, no rules may be applied to determine the pre-ovulatory infertile phase.
• From the second cycle onward (provided that ovulation occurred in the first cycle, confirmed by at least three days of sustained higher temperatures), only the statistical rule may be used to determine the pre-ovulatory infertile phase: it lasts for the first 6 days of the cycle in cycles of 26 days or longer, or the first 5 days in cycles shorter than 26 days.
• As you gain more experience in observing fertility indicators, you will be able to use other rules better suited to your individual cycle.

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It is very important to supplement your diet daily with magnesium together with vitamin B6 (which facilitates its absorption), as well as folic acid – especially if you plan to start trying for a baby in the near future.

Maintaining an appropriate diet for at least three months also helps optimize the individual phases of the menstrual cycle. It is advisable to limit sweets and refined wheat products in favor of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit; reduce animal fats in favor of plant oils (olive oil, flaxseed oil, argan oil, evening primrose oil) and fish oils. Excessive coffee, alcohol, and smoking should be avoided.

You may also consider treatment with natural preparations, such as herbal remedies like Agnus castus (chaste tree / monk’s pepper), of course under medical supervision. In cases of secondary amenorrhea, consultation with a good physician is necessary; often treatment with natural progesterone (3 × 14 days in the second half of the cycle) is sufficient.

It is also worth taking care of adequate quantity and quality of sleep (in a well-darkened room) and maintaining regular physical activity.

After several months of taking good care of yourself, you should notice that your body is returning to balance and that you feel better. In addition, you will gain awareness of your femininity, a deeper knowledge of your own body, confidence and peace of mind – in short, you will discover the True Woman within you. Natural and Healthy!