Taking hormonal birth control greatly reduces the chances of pregnancy. However, birth control does not largely impact fertility after a woman has stopped use.
How Does Hormonal Birth Control Prevent Pregnancy?
Hormonal birth control is the most effective pregnancy prevention method. While condoms and diaphragms have a high percentage of pregnancy prevention, hormonal options are even more effective in preventing conception.
What Types of Hormonal Birth Control Are On the Market?
The hormonal options that are the most effective include the following. You can find out more information about your option to control pregnancy at Planned Parenthood.
Daily Pills
91% effective.
Must take daily to remain effective.
Higher maintenance than other options, since you have to take it daily.
Despite high maintenance, it will help to establish a healthy routine for you.
Fertility Benefits of the Pill
Use of the pill can keep your period regular.
It can help to reestablish female fertility under certain circumstances.
You can stop taking it at any time and return to regular fertility levels; experts suggest waiting until after the first period after stopping use of the pill to attempt conception.
Depo-Provera Shot
94% effective.
Get the shot every three months (four times per year) to maintain effectiveness.
Stop eggs from ovulating to prevent pregnancy.
What Happens If I Want to Get Pregnant After a Depo Shot?
After you get your period back, it can still take time to return to a normal menstrual cycle and be able to conceive after stopping the depo shot. For every woman, the time frame that must pass before conception is different. Be patient!
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
99% effective.
Placed in your uterus and lasts 3 to 12 years.
Low maintenance since there’s only one step to take to prevent pregnancy.
Can be removed at any time if/when you want to get pregnant.
How Quick Can I Get Pregnant After IUD Removal?
According to Healthline, many women conceive within a year after IUD removal. It does not provoke a huge change on fertility.
How Does Birth Control Reduce Fertility?
If hormonal birth control is taken long enough, it can reduce the endometrium lining. This is where an embryo implants itself to begin pregnancy. A thinner endometrium lining means less chance of getting pregnant.
The cervical mucus thickens, so sperm has a lesser chance of fertilizing an egg. These prevention options introduce synthetic hormones into your body to throw off the natural functioning hormones that cause pregnancy.
You will likely experience a stop in your menstrual cycle. This is because the prevention option stops the egg from ovulating every month. Therefore, the lack of an egg in your uterus doesn’t mean you will not experience any bleeding.
Keep in mind that all of these changes happening if you are on the pill, using an IUD or on the depo shot will make your body need time to return to normal and prepare for pregnancy again.
Does Hormonal Birth Control Cause Infertility?
Prolonged use of birth control does not cause a woman to experience infertility. While studies have shown that women who have taken it five or more years have thinner endometrium linings, this does not mean you are infertile.
When you stop any form of birth control, you could get pregnant as early as the month after stopping it. There are other possible reasons that you could not be having pregnancy success.
If you have tried conceiving for a year and you are under 35, express your concerns to your gynecologist. If you are between ages 35 and 40, book an appointment with a fertility specialist immediately to see why you are not conceiving.
Which Method Is Best for Me?
The pregnancy prevention method that you choose is up to your discretion. Be mindful that some of the hormonal options could cause weight gain, which means you will have to be more attentive to your diet.
If you are a forgetful person, the pill may not be the best option. Try the shot or IUD so you do not have to think about it after it’s done.
If you choose the pills, don’t forget to take them daily or you may have a scare if you realize after intercourse that you did not take it that day!
