Can birth control cause infertility?
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27 July 2023

If you’re sexually active and don’t want to conceive a baby, then it’s important to explore your birth control options. But while birth control is used by females who don’t want to have a child at this time, there may come a point in their life when they do. Is your fertility affected after you no longer use birth control? 

It’s common for females who have been on birth control for a while to decide that now they’re ready to start a family, but they worry that birth control has affected their fertility due to long-term use. 

The good news is that birth control doesn’t cause infertility. But it’s important to learn about the long-term effects that it may have on your body.

Read on to learn about the different types of birth control available and the effects that they can have on your body, including your fertility.

The basics (and types) of birth control

Birth control refers to preventive measures used to reduce the chance of conception during sexual intercourse. It comes in more than a dozen different forms that include medication, surgery and devices. Each one has its pros and cons, and none of them are 100% effective, so talk to your doctor about which is the best option for you. 

Here are five of the most common forms of birth control:

  • Oral contraceptives — Birth control pills are the most widely prescribed contraception in the U.S. and are taken by approximately one-fourth of females in the country between the ages of 15 and 44. The pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin, that help prevent pregnancy. 
  • Condoms — Male and female condoms are a type of barrier contraception that is used to protect the user from pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases and infections. The rubber barrier keeps the semen from entering the vagina during ejaculation. When used consistently and correctly, male condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, while female condoms are 95% effective.
  • IUD — An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a form of birth control that is inserted into the uterus. It’s a piece of plastic that’s shaped like a “T” and can prevent pregnancy for up to 12 years, depending on the type. Despite its longevity, it’s reversible and can be removed. IUDs are one of the most effective forms of birth control, with a typical use failure rate of less than 1%.
  • Implant — A birth control implant is another contraceptive device that’s inserted into the body, but an implant goes into the arm as opposed to the uterus as the IUD does. It’s a small rod that’s put under the skin of the upper arm. It releases progestin into the bloodstream to reduce the chance of pregnancy.
  • Injection — A contraceptive injection is administered by a health care provider every three months to reduce the chance of pregnancy. The shot injects progestin directly into the bloodstream. When it’s administered consistently, a contraceptive injection can be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

How is your body affected after you stop taking birth control?

While it’s great to know that birth control doesn’t cause infertility, it’s important to learn how contraceptives can affect your body, especially after you stop using them. 

With so many different types of birth control options to choose from, the effects can impact every user differently. The amount of time that the birth control was used can also have an impact on how you’ll feel after you’re no longer on it.

It’s not uncommon for people to get pregnant quickly after getting off birth control. If you conceive immediately afterward, there isn’t an increased risk of a miscarriage or of your baby having a birth defect, because the hormones don’t stay in your system.

When you stop your birth control, whether that be no longer taking the pills or removing the device, your body will take a while to adjust. During this adjustment period, you may experience side effects including:

  • Irregular menstruation.
  • Acne.
  • Weight changes.
  • Cramps.

Fertility Cloud can help with your fertility after birth control

Many people are on birth control for years before deciding that they want to start trying to conceive. The body can get used to the hormones provided by the contraception that it can take a while to rebalance itself. If your fertility has been impacted by long-term usage of birth control, we’re here to help.
If you’re ready to start your fertility journey, contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.