While using the contraceptive pill, what happens to ovulation?

When using the contraceptive pill, ovulation does not take place. This is a fundamental principle of how combined oral contraceptives work. The hormonal components in these pills—typically a combination of estrogen and progestin—suppress the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) produced by the pituitary gland. These hormones are essential for the maturation of ovarian follicles and the process of ovulation.

Without the surge of LH, which triggers the release of an egg from the ovaries, ovulation is effectively inhibited. This prevents the possibility of eggs being available for fertilization, making the contraceptive pill an effective method for preventing pregnancy.

In contrast, normal ovulation would mean that the body is releasing eggs as it typically would during a menstrual cycle, and enhancement would imply an increase in the frequency or quantity of ovulation, neither of which occur with the deployment of contraceptive pills. Irregular ovulation could suggest that the cycles are disrupted but is not the case with effective contraceptive use, which reliably prevents ovulation.