When you’re finally ready to have a baby, you don’t want anything to slow that down. The speed at which a woman can conceive after stopping birth control varies, but not necessarily for the reasons you may think. A common belief is that prolonged use of birth control as part of your contraceptive care plan can affect your chances of getting pregnant. However, research suggests otherwise.
Let’s look at how the use of long-term birth control affects conception and what you can do if you’re struggling with fertility.
How Does Birth Control Work?
Before you can really understand the effect of birth control on fertility, you need to know how birth control works. Most types of birth control, such as birth control pills, are designed to interrupt the natural processes that result in pregnancy. While many types of contraceptives are on the market, the two most common varieties include:
- Estrogen-Progestin Contraceptives – These “combination” contraceptives perform several tasks. First, the estrogen inhibits ovulation by suppressing the production of follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). Next, progestin thickens the mucus lining of the cervix to create an inhospitable environment for sperm.
- Progestin-Only Contraceptives – The next most common type of birth control is progestin-only contraceptives, also known as the “mini pill.” As the mini-pill does not contain estrogen, the ovaries are not impacted. Instead, only the cervix is affected to prevent sperm from reaching the eggs.
When taken as instructed, hormonal birth control is about 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. Common forms of hormonal birth control include birth control pills, IUDs, vaginal rings, Depo-Provera, implanted hormones, and hormonal patches.
Does Long-Term Use of Birth Control Affect Fertility?
A common misconception is that using birth control for an extended period of time can lead to infertility. However, many studies have shown that birth control does not have a lasting impact on fertility.
According to a study published in Contraception and Reproduction Medicine, 83.1 percent of women became pregnant within the first 12 months of stopping the use of contraception. The study concluded that contraceptive use, regardless of type or duration, does not have a negative impact on a woman’s ability to conceive.
While long-term use of birth control does not impact fertility, it could potentially mask irregularities in your menstrual cycle or symptoms that could indicate something is amiss with your reproductive system.
For example, birth control can mask PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) symptoms, such as irregular or heavy periods. It can also mask endometriosis, making it difficult to effectively diagnose the condition. Having said that, hormonal medications such as birth control pills are commonly used to manage and treat both PCOS and endometriosis, so one does not have to avoid hormonal contraception if they are concerned about having these conditions.
Other reproductive problems, such as irregular bleeding and uterine fibroids, may also go unnoticed until the discontinuation of birth control.
How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control?
One of the most common questions that women have when wanting to get pregnant is how soon they’ll conceive after terminating contraception. The answer is not dependent on birth control use, but rather on the individual woman.
A systematic review found that pregnancy rates after discontinuation were comparable to women who had never used contraception, regardless of the type of contraceptive method previously used, although certain forms of birth control such as birth control pills and Depo Provera may create short delays before the return of ovulation
How Long Should I Wait for Contraception to Occur?
You can potentially get pregnant soon after stopping birth control, as fertility returns relatively quickly. Some women may experience irregular cycles initially, but many will conceive within one to three months, and most others will conceive within one year.
The easiest way to determine if you’re ovulating is to take an at-home ovulation test. These tests are designed to test your urine for levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which typically rise about 24 to 36 hours prior to ovulation. Body temperature may also rise slightly around the time of ovulation.
Many different factors should be considered when determining your likelihood of pregnancy, such as your age, weight, and health history. However, if you’re under the age of 35, and you’ve been trying to get pregnant for more than one year with no success, then speaking with your doctor is a good idea. If you’re over age 35, let your doctor know after six months.
Trust Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness for Professional Contraceptive Care
Don’t let your fear of not getting pregnant in the future stop you from getting the contraceptive care you need now. At Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness, our all women team provides personalized and compassionate care and offers a variety of contraceptive methods to meet your individual needs and preferences, such as birth control pills, implants, and IUDs.
Contact our office today at (919) 525-3959 to learn more about your options or to schedule an appointment.