Can I ovulate while on birth control?

Question

Doctor says birth control prevents ovulation, however, if this mucousy discharge before my period IS NOT ovulation, then what is it?

I'm on Aviane (Generic for Alesse)... made of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel...would I still ovulate with this type of pill? My doctor says no, but obviously, I don't know if she's right.

The Drug Information says that Aviane contains a combination of hormones that is used to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). The pills contain a form of estrogen and a form of progesterone, which are both female hormones involved in conception. So I don't get it.......

Answer 1

Some birth control pills don't prevent ovulation. Specifically, progestin-only pills (minipills) do not stop ovulations. Only the estrogen+progestin formulas block ovulation.

HOWEVER, if you are getting the stringy, liquid discharge, then I'd call the doctor and ask for a change of Rx.

All birth control pills are supposed to change cervical mucus to the sticky, pasty consistency. This kind of mucus is produced by the cervix to block sperm out; its proteins are in a netted pattern, so sperm can't get through. The other kind of mucus actually helps sperm into the uterus; its proteins are ling and channeled . So if you're getting the latter kind of mucus, back up with a condom and try a different pill next month.

ADDENDUM: Officer Betty, your answer is patently WRONG.

ADDENDUM for Asker: Yes, Aviane/Alesse is a combo estrogen+progestin formula. Ethinyl estradiol = estrogen, levonogestrol = progestin.

Anyway, Aviane *should* stop ovulation if it is working properly in your body. However, Alesse is a lower dose of hormone compared to some other bcp formulas. If you are having liquidy discharge, there's a chance Alesse is not strong enough to stop your ovulation.

I don't know what size you are, but it is well-documented that women with higher proportions of body fat need stronger doses of birth control hormones. Estrogen and progestin are fat-soluble, so if you have a lot of fat in your body, the hormones dissolve away before they can act on your reproductive organs. If this sounds like it could be your issue, please ask the doctor to give you a stronger medication like Ortho Tri-Cyclen.

Answer 2

My understanding, and I am not a doctor, is that you do ovulate on the pill but that it doesn't matter because your body still sheads the blood in the uterious because of the hormone levels caused by the pill. I can feel when I am ovulating so I am still doing it.