Birth Control and Infertility

Individuals seeking contraception options often wonder about the correlation between birth control and infertility. While many people have found great value in the use of birth control methods, there are still many others who avoid birth control solutions for fear that they may cause infertility.

Birth control is necessary if one does not want to become pregnant. At the same time, the concern about how one’s fertility is affected or influenced by birth control methods is genuine. In this article, we shall discuss different types of birth control, how they work, and how they affect fertility when one is ready to become pregnant.

Does Birth Control Cause Infertility?

The short answer to this question is no. There is no evidence to tie infertility to birth control methods. Some methods of contraception, once stopped, may result in a short delay in conception. 

A delay in conception should not be interpreted as a sign of infertility. There are other factors that affect a person’s ability to conceive, including stress, illness, lifestyle, and high levels of non-pregnancy hormones, among others.

A review of several studies assessing the effects of birth control on fertility published in the National Library of Medicine concluded that, regardless of the type or duration of contraception used, there was no negative impact on or delay fertility. 

Types of Birth Control

Birth control methods are the go-to solution for sexually active individuals who want to prevent pregnancy from occurring. Although ‘the pill’ is a common method of birth control, there are many other methods available.

Depending on your contraception needs, such as how long you want to use contraception, how comfortable you are with a particular birth control method, and how your body reacts to birth control, you may have to try a few methods before settling on one that best suits your body as well as lifestyle.

Hormone Based Contraception

Oral Contraceptive Pills

Oral contraceptive pills are a common type of contraception for females in the United States. with up to 14% of females aged between 15 and 49 preferring this method. Oral contraceptives come in two different forms: progestin-only and combination pills. 

This type of contraception works by manipulating reproductive hormones to delay or prevent ovulation. Additionally, the cervical mucus gets thickened, and the uterine lining gets thinned to discourage the fertilization and implantation of an egg when ovulation occurs. 

Combination pills are taken daily. The regimen is three weeks of hormonal medication followed by a fourth week of placebo pills, during which the user will experience their period. The regimen of progestin-only pills is daily use with no placebo week, resulting in either a very short period or no period altogether.

The choice regarding which type of pill to use can only be determined on a case-by-case basis, which is influenced not only by preference but also by any negative side effects. Changing the natural rhythm of hormonal production carries risks of side effects, which range from nausea, bloating, spotting, breast tenderness, or depression.

Consistently taking oral contraceptives has been shown to be extremely effective in pregnancy prevention. If an individual’s schedule does not allow for consistent timing every day, particularly with progestin-only pills, it is advisable to consider alternative forms of contraception.

Implants

Birth control implants work in the same way that the pills do, by changing hormone levels in the body to prevent ovulation and fertilization. The advantage of the implant is that it does not have a regimen to keep up with. 

The implant itself is a small rod about the size of a matchstick. It is inserted below the skin of the upper arm and remains there for up to five years. It releases estrogen and progestin in the same way as combination pills.

Apart from the side effects of hormonal birth control use, some short-term negative side effects of the implantation process may occur. They may include bruising or swelling at the insertion site following insertion. However, these issues rarely last more than a few days. 

In some cases, discontinuation of the use of an implant may be due to unpredictable or abnormal bleeding.  However, when a user decides to come off contraception, the removal of the implant is simple and does not have any lasting effects on fertility. Often, users are able to become pregnant again almost right away. 

Vaginal Rings

Vaginal rings work most similarly to implants in that they are inserted once for a duration of time. They release estrogen and progestin, in turn, to prevent ovulation while thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining to reduce the likelihood of fertilization and implantation of an egg. 

There are two types of vaginal rings, NuvaRing and Annovera. A user inserts a small ring-shaped device into their vagina, which releases hormones that can be absorbed through the vaginal lining. The choice between NuvaRing and Annovera mostly comes down to the duration of wear and scheduling, as they should not be used during the user’s period.

The NuvaRing is worn for about a month and then removed and discarded during the user’s period. A new ring is placed inside the vagina at the end of the user’s period, and the cycle begins again. 

Annovera rings are worn for about three weeks, then the user removes the ring for a week during their period and reinserts it after seven days. An Annovera ring can be used for about a year or 13 cycles before it needs to be replaced. It is important to store the ring in a safe, climate-controlled environment when not in use.

The potential negative side effects of the rings include nausea, headaches, sore breasts and spotting between periods. Some users also report vaginal discharge during the first few months of use.

Injections

Birth control injections are another form of hormonal birth control. Like all other hormonal birth control methods, these injections rely on the hormone progestin to stop ovulation and discourage the fertilization of eggs. 

This method places the hormones directly into the body in the form of a shot taken every three months. Birth control injections are the least reversible form of contraceptives on this list, and users have a three-month wait before they are able to become pregnant.

The key benefit of this method is that it is a very discreet form of contraception, particularly for users whose privacy is a priority. As well, planning for contraception is done with ease by simply booking four appointments per year with a healthcare provider.

Intrauterine Devices

Intrauterine devices, commonly known as IUDs, come as hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs. The way they work is by stopping sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. 

Hormonal IUDs contain progestin and work by delaying or stopping ovulation. They also change the consistency of mucus and tissues inside the uterus to prevent fertilization from occurring. 

The progestin released directly into the uterus means that a much smaller amount of hormone gets into the blood. As such, some of the side effects that go along with oral contraceptives are minimized. Some users also experience significant decreases in the amount of bleeding during their period or may not experience any bleeding at all.

Copper IUDs work differently than hormonal IUDs. Sperm do not like copper, and the amount wrapped around the IUD is sufficient to deter sperm from entering the uterus. A key benefit of a copper IUD is that it does not change the hormonal balance of the body. Therefore, It might be a preferred option for individuals struggling with the mood-related side effects of other hormone-based contraceptives.

Like a birth control implant, IUDs are good for long stretches of time. They can be used from three to eight years and can be removed at any time. Users can become pregnant with little to no delay after removal. 

In Conclusion

Birth control, whether hormone-based or not, does not affect fertility. Birth control users may experience varied durations of delay as their bodies readjust to their regular hormonal rhythms when they stop using birth control.

It is important to discuss future plans for conception with a professional healthcare provider before going on a birth control plan. Users can then know what to expect once they stop using birth control. Additionally, the birth control plan can be chosen in consideration of future conception.

No birth control is entirely risk-free, and hormonal birth control carries with it varied side effects. These side effects affect different users in different ways, but adverse reactions must be reported immediately to your healthcare provider in order to manage them and find alternative methods.

If you want to know more about birth control and discuss the best option for you, contact Ivy Fertility. We are happy to walk with you as you consider different family planning options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How soon can I get pregnant after getting off birth control?

Different people’s bodies respond differently to birth control. In the same vein, when coming off birth control, getting pregnant afterward varies from one individual to another. Pregnancy can occur soon after or months later.

Will previous birth control use affect my unborn child?

Using birth control while pregnant has been known to affect the unborn child. However, if you had come off birth control before becoming pregnant, there should not be any adverse effects on your unborn child.

Can I get pregnant while still using birth control?

Yes. It is possible to get pregnant while using birth control. Although birth control significantly reduces the likelihood of getting pregnant, it is not 100% foolproof. Additionally, the use of other medications could reduce the efficacy of birth control. 

Can birth control make my cycle irregular?

Yes, birth control can cause you to have an irregular cycle. It can cause spotting, heavier or lighter bleeding, shorter or longer bleeding, irregular bleeding, or a complete ceasing of menstruation.