Can Birth Control Make You Infertile

The fear that can birth control make you infertile is a common one. But rigorous research has demonstrated that hormonal contraceptives do not lead to permanent infertility, whether for the type of contraceptive used or for the length of time it was in use.

Most birth control methods don’t affect your body once you stop taking them, meaning your fertility goes back to normal once you stop birth control.

What Is Birth Control and How Does It Affect Fertility?

IUDs, pills, patches, injections and rings are methods of birth control temporary pregnancy prevention. They do this by disrupting the normal processes of reproduction, like ovulation, fertilization, or implantation. It is important to note these effects are reversible. When you stop taking such birth control, your body returns to its natural reproductive processes.

Types of Hormonal Birth Control Methods

Hormonal contraception types:

• Birth control pills (estrogen and progestin): Taken daily to prevent ovulation.
• Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera): A progestin shot that’s given every 3 months.
• Implant (Nexplanon): A small rod placed under the skin that continuously releases progestin.
• Patch (Xulane and Twirla): A hormones-delivering transdermal skin patch.
• Vaginal ring (NuvaRing and Annovera): A soft, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. Releases hormones locally.
• Hormonal IUD (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla): A device placed inside the uterus that releases progestin.

No long-term infertility has been shown to result from any of these approaches.

The Return of Fertility Once Birth Control Use Ends

The duration of time it takes for fertility to return after discontinuation of birth control depends on the specific method:

• Birth control pills, patch, ring and hormonal IUDs: Fertility usually returns one to two weeks after stopping.
• Birth control shot (Depo-Provera): Fertility may return more slowly, as long as 10 months or longer.

Factors Affecting Fertility

Birth control doesn’t make you infertile itself, but additional factors can alter your ability to get pregnant:

• Age: Fertility gradually decreases with age, especially after age 35.
• Underlying health conditions: Issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis can impact your fertility.
• Lifestyle factors: Alcohol, smoking, poor diet and stress can all affect fertility.

Dispelling the Myth: Fertility and Birth Control

The misunderstanding that birth control leads to infertility may come from:

• Coincidental timing: Some people only learn about their fertility issues after stopping birth control, creating a misconception.

• Delayed fertility return: Some methods, such as the birth control shot, can delay the return of fertility, but this delay is not permanent.

Seek Help From Doctors

Can Birth Control Make You Infertile | It’s always a good idea to speak with a health care provider if you have concerns about fertility after using birth control. You can get personalized info in context to your health history and have the medicine address any underlying issue that may impact fertility.

Conclusion

The overwhelming and most current evidence suggests birth control is not a cause of long-term infertility. Contraceptives don’t cause lasting effects so fertility usually resumes as normal after stopping(nursing).

But other factors should be considered, and medical advice should be sought, Data available until October 2023

Thank You

You are reading this article which shows that you took a part of your time to read it. We hope it has helped clarify the relationship between birth control and fertility.

GYNMORA is dedicated to providing you with balanced and personalized, evidence-based information to help you make informed choices about your sexual health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Would taking birth control pills for a long term cause infertility?

No: Long-term use of birth control pills does not cause infertility. Fertility usually returns soon after halting the pills.

Q2: How long after stopping birth control do you get pregnant?

For most methods, fertility returns in a few weeks. But it can take longer after stopping the birth control shot and that can be a year or longer, as long as 10 months.

Q3: Can using birth control hide underlying issues with fertility?

Yes, birth control can help regulate menstrual cycles, possibly hiding underlying problems like PCOS or endometriosis that could impact fertility.

Q4: After stopping birth control, does age matter when it comes to fertility?

Yes, you definitely lose your fertility as you get older. Fertility decreases naturally with age, regardless of if you’re using birth control.

Q5: If I have difficulty conceiving after discontinuing birth control, when should I see a doctor?

If you’re concerned about fertility after you go off birth control, then yes, you should talk to a doctor and find out what may be going on.

Overall Purpose

Knowing how birth control can affect fertility is key to making educated reproductive decisions. Breaking down myths surrounding infertility helps ensure people can safely use contraceptives without worrying unnecessarily about their long-term reproductive health.

All information and media provided on this site are for informational purposes only.