Does Birth Control Make You Infertile?

Birth control carries with it many misconceptions, myths, and half-truths, particularly when it comes to future fertility. Some women faced with infertility look back at their years of birth control use and wonder whether it is a direct cause of their infertility. 

It is easy to understand why these myths exist on birth control pills causing infertility. Some women experience delays in resuming ovulation and menses, while others completely loose their periods after prolonged birth control use. 

Changes in your body, like fluctuations in body fat content or stress that could affect a woman’s cycle, can be masked by birth control. This article looks at common misconceptions about birth control's effects on infertility. 

Key Takeaways

• While many forms of birth control are highly effective in preventing pregnancy, none of the most popular types of contraceptives have lasting effects on fertility once use is discontinued.
• Choosing the right form of birth control is a very personal decision, and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis with the help of a healthcare professional.
• Many forms of birth control have unintended side effects, including menstrual irregularities and mood changes, which will play a role in deciding which form of birth control is best.

Can Birth Control Make You Infertile?

No, birth control doesn't cause infertility. There are no current studies that prove the correlation between birth control and infertility. On the contrary, one study showed more than 80 percent of women who stopped contraceptive use became pregnant within 12 months after they stopped their contraceptive of choice. However, it’s worth mentioning that some forms of birth control might lead to a short delay in one’s ability to conceive. 

Where did this misconception originate? 

Though birth control has made the lives of many women easier, its origins were marred by a lack of consent and anecdotal information that has been passed down from woman to woman. Unstudied side effects have made rounds over the years, resulting in fear of birth control for women who want to give birth. 

Due to delayed fertility in women using modern contraceptive methods, some people believe that these contraceptives are the cause of infertility. Not only that, some forms of birth control can mask pre-existing irregularities and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can cause infertility. Once one stops using birth control, these conditions are revealed, often leading people to think that their contraception caused the problem.

Types of Birth Control

While most people associate birth control with the pill, there are several types of contraceptives one can use, and choosing the right ones comes down to what you prefer. 

Natural Methods

The natural method is becoming more popular by the day. There are different methods one can use. 

Basal Body Temperature Method

One can also check if they are ovulating by using a basal body temperature thermometer. This requires you to check your temperature every day and see if it goes higher, (which it does when ovulating). However, when one is unwell, is stressed, or has had alcohol, this method may fail as these will affect the basal body temperature. This method is therefore not as reliable. 

Standard Days Method (SDM)

This is a date tracking method that sets days 8 to 19 as fertile days for everyone, no matter their menstrual cycle. Most people use an app or calendar to track these days and avoid sex on their most fertile days. 

Cervical Mucus Method

With this method, an individual checks the quantity, texture, and color of mucus from their cervix at certain points in the cycle to determine fertility. For example, when ovulating, the mucus may be much more than after menses. It is also clearer when ovulating. 

Rhythm Method

This is another date-tracking method that is quite complicated as it involves some math. You will need to track your period for 6-12 months and use the information to know your most fertile days. To track using this formula, you must know your shortest and longest cycles. 

Withdrawal Method

Also known as pulling out,  this method avoids pregnancy when a male partner pulls out their penis just before ejaculation. This method is also not as reliable as it requires a lot of self-control from a partner. 

Oral Contraceptive Pills

Birth control pills are the most common form of female contraceptives in the United States, according to the CDC, with 12.6 percent of women across all age ranges using some form of oral contraceptive daily. These pills come as combination pills (estrogen and progestin) or progestin-only pills. Birth control pills work by preventing or delaying ovulation and discouraging fertilization or implantation if ovulation occurs. When taken consistently, oral contraceptives have been shown to be extremely effective in preventing pregnancy. 

It’s important to remeber that altering the body’s hormone levels always carries with it a risk of negative side effects, and some people report side effects ranging from bloating and nausea to spotting, depression and breast tenderness from certain forms of contraceptive pills.

Vaginal Rings

Vaginal rings work come in two forms - NuvaRings and Annovera rings. They also release hormones to prevent ovulation. Users insert a small ring shaped device into their vagina which releases these hormones that can be absorbed through the vaginal lining.

The NuvaRing is worn for about a month, is removed and discarded during the user’s period, and replaced with a new one at the beginning of a new cycle. The Annovera ring is worn for three weeks, removed for a week during the user’s period and reinserted after seven days. An Annovera ring lasts about a year, or 13 cycles, before it needs to be replaced.

Potential negative side effects of the ring are similar to those of oral contraceptives like nausea, headaches, sore breasts and spotting between periods. Some users also report vaginal discharge during the first few months of use. 

Implants

Implants work by changing hormone levels in the body to prevent ovulation and fertilization. They don’t require any schedules and are inserted below the skin on the upper arm. The implant can stay in the body for up to five years, releasing estrogen and progestin in the same way as the vaginal ring.

Removal is simple and has no lasting effects on fertility and one can become pregnant again almost right away. Potential side effects of the implant can include bruising or swelling at the insertion site and other hormonal symptoms like those reported by birth control users. 

Intrauterine Devices

Intrauterine devices, commonly known as IUDs, come in two different forms, hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs, both serving the same purpose - to stop sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. Much like a birth control implant, IUDs are good for long stretches of time - anywhere from three to eight years - and can be removed at any time to allow users to become pregnant with little to no delay after removal. 

Injections

Birth control injections are another form of hormonal birth control. The injection relies on the hormone progestin to stop ovulation and discourage fertilization of eggs. The injection is taken every three months. However, birth control injections are the least reversible form of contraceptives on this list, as one must wait for the most recent injection to run its course before they are able to become pregnant, or before normal fertility returns.

Menstrual Irregularities From Birth Control

Because so many forms of birth control affect the body’s natural ovulation cycle, it is not uncommon for users to experience menstrual irregularities when using “unnatural” contraceptives. These irregularities and side effects can include:

• Spotting or bleeding between periods
• Missed periods
• Periods that are much heavier or lighter, or have an unusually long or short duration. 
• Nausea
• Blotting
• Mood disruptions 
• Depression
• Weight gain

These side effects are especially common during the first several cycles after a new form of birth control is started before the body has had a chance to adjust to the hormonal changes.

Some contraceptive methods like the injection can result in longer fertility delays than others but most contraceptive users regain hormonal balance within 3 to 6 months of stopping contraceptives. Patch users require 4 cycles to get back to normal, oral contraceptives, and vaginal ring users 3 cycles, while hormonal and copper IUDs and implants have the shortest fertility delay of just 2 cycles. 

Nevertheless, everyone is different and contraceptives work differently in everyone's body. Therefore, returned fertility depends on overall genetics, and health. 

If you are struggling with infertility after stopping contraceptives, Ivy Fertility can help you discover what else could be going on. Our compassionate team of healthcare professionals is here to ease the family planning process.

In Summary

Not all forms of birth control are right for everyone and any serious side effects that hinder your normal day-to-day activities should be reported to your doctor or healthcare provider. They will be in a great position to help you discover what is best for you and help mitigate potential side effects. When it comes to birth control and fertility, there can be a lot of confusion. But hormonal contraceptives don’t cause infertility, no matter which method you use or how long you’ve been using it.