How long does it take to get pregnant after getting off birth control

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Different contraceptives and their effects on fertility
Barrier contraceptives
Progestin-only birth control pills
Injectable contraceptives
Combined hormonal birth control
Other factors affecting pregnancy after birth control
A few reasons to visit the doctor
What are the chances of getting pregnant after stopping birth control pill?
How long does it take to ovulate after stopping birth control?

Tips for Getting Pregnant after Stopping Birth Control

Posted on: 15-Oct-2020

You’ve got the job, the house, and the partner. Finally, the time feels right. You are ready to start trying to conceive. Now what? How long before trying to conceive should you stop using your birth control? Will using birth control in the past make it harder to get pregnant now? What can you do to get your body ready for pregnancy?

The first step in trying to conceive is to stop using your current birth control. Each birth control method acts a little differently on the body to prevent pregnancy. You will need to know how and when to stop the specific type you use. Here is when you can expect fertility to return for these common types.

Pills. There are two types of birth control pills. Both work by using hormones in the body to prevent pregnancy.Combined pills work by usingtwohormones, estrogen and progestin,to suppress ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary.)The hormones in these pills leave the body within a couple of days after you stop taking the pill. Once the hormones are gone ovulation can resume. At that time, you are fertile and pregnancy can occur. It is recommended to finish the month’s worth of combined pills to keep from confusing the body by sudden change in hormones. Mini-pills contain only progestin and work bypreventing sperm from reaching the egg. Progestin leaves the body in around 24 hours allowing fertility to return quickly. Mini-pills can be stopped at any time.
Intrauterine device (IUD) and Implants. There are two types of IUDs, copper and hormonal. Both types must be removed by your doctor. Once your IUDis removed,it is possible to ovulate within the first month. Like an IUD, your doctor must remove your implant. Once removed, you can get pregnant right away.
Patch and Vaginal Ring. Ovulation usually returns 1-3 months after removal for both patches and vaginal rings at which point it is possible to get pregnant.
Injections (Depo-Provera). This type of birth control requires longer than others for normal fertility to return. Since hormones are released gradually, it takes longer for them to leave the body. This can take anywhere from 3-18 months for fertility to return. Therefore, it is not recommended for those who are trying to conceive in the near future.

In addition to stopping your birth control, you will want to take steps to prepare your body for pregnancy. Start taking a prenatal vitamin three months before trying to conceive. Vitamins, along with a healthy diet, are crucial to help ensure that your body is ready tosupport a healthy pregnancy. Lifestyle choices like exercising, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and cutting back on alcohol intake are all very important as well. These will help increase fertility as well as give you a healthy start to your pregnancy.

The third step as you try to conceive, is learning more about your body so that you can recognize when you are fertile. Timing sex during your fertile window (the five days before ovulation and the day you ovulate) increases your chances of becoming pregnant quickly. Tracking your menstrual cycle with apps that note changes in your cervical mucus and basal temperatures can help you determine your fertile window. Ovulation tests are another option to help recognize when you are most fertile.

The good news is that long-term fertility is not negatively affected by birth control use. If you have decided the time is right to get pregnant, most forms of birth control allow you to become fertile again within a few days to a few months. It is then safe to get pregnant right away. Most women will become pregnant within a year of stopping birth control. However,the time it takes to conceive will depend on your individual body so if at anytime you have questions or concernsabout your fertility check with your doctor.

Dr. Anil Pinto is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Pinto has a special interest in the treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), recurrent pregnancy loss, and advanced reproductive technologies, such as IVF. His peers recently selected him as one of the Best Doctors in Dallas in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Pinto is married to Karen Pinto, M.D., a pathologist at Baylor University Medical Center. They live in Dallas with their son and daughter. Dr. Pinto enjoys fly fishing, classical music, and playing the flute.

Getting pregnant after birth control pills can occur right away or it may take awhile. That’s why understanding how your body works can help set realistic expectations about what’s going to happen.

Here’s some information about different contraceptives and how they affect a woman’s body if you’re wondering how long does it take to get pregnant after birth control.

Different contraceptives and their effects on fertility

Barrier contraceptives

Popular barrier contraceptives include condoms and diaphragms. They’re one of the most common birth control options that exist today. As the name suggests, barrier contraceptives work by blocking sperm from reaching an egg. Most of us are familiar with external condoms, which cover the penis, but internal condoms that go inside the vagina are also available.

The effectiveness of barrier methods at preventing pregnancy is around 70–85% with typical use. If a couple wants to conceive, they can simply stop using barrier contraceptives, and fertilization will be possible during the next fertile window.

Progestin-only birth control pills

Achieving pregnancy after birth control is possible right away if you were taking progestin-only birth control pills, also called the mini-pill. Depending on where you are in your cycle, it’s possible to get pregnant immediately after you stop taking the mini-pill.

Injectable contraceptives

Injectable contraceptives, sometimes referred to as “the shot”, release the hormone progestogen into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Research shows it is 94% effective at preventing pregnancy. How soon you can get pregnant after stopping birth control can be up to a year or even longer when you use the shot. This is because the body takes a long time to get back to its unmedicated hormonal cycle after using this type of contraceptive. If you only want a temporary birth control with the option to get pregnant right away, the shot may not be the best choice for you.

IUDs

This type of birth control is made of either plastic or copper and is inserted into the uterus, where it changes the way sperm move so they can’t reach an egg. Intrauterine Devices (IUD) can protect you from conceiving for a long time. A hormonal IUD is made of plastic and can be effective for anywhere from 3–7 years, depending on the brand. The copper IUD can be effective for up to 12 years. If you’re interested in quickly achieving pregnancy after birth control, it’s possible to get pregnant immediately after your doctor removes your IUD.

Implants

Implant contraceptives are small plastic rods that go under the skin. They closely resemble a matchstick, can last for 3-5 years, and are more than 99% effective. A woman can choose to have it removed anytime she wants, and she might be able to get pregnant right away, depending on her cycle.

Combined hormonal birth control

Combined hormonal birth control, also known as CHC or the pill, is readily available and is about 91% effective at preventing pregnancy. The pill is taken orally and contains both estrogen and progestin, which prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs. You can simply stop taking the pill if you want to get pregnant. Although it may take a while for your cycle to become regular again, it is possible to get pregnant right away after you stop taking the pill.

Other factors affecting pregnancy after birth control

How long after birth control can you get pregnant will also depend on many factors that include, but are not limited to, the following:

Age is an important factor when trying to conceive, since fertility decreases as a woman ages.
Overall health is also something to consider. Obesity or malnutrition can make it harder to conceive, as can certain medical conditions such as pituitary gland disorders, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders, among others.
Your partner’s sperm count can also affect how long it takes to conceive.
Reproductive health is also a very important factor for couples who want to conceive immediately after birth control. Endometriosis, fallopian tube blockage, pelvic infections and irregular menstruations can also affect how long it takes to get pregnant.
Lastly, having sex during your fertile days will increase the chances an egg gets fertilized.

A few reasons to visit the doctor

When you’re choosing a form of birth control, a visit to the doctor for a checkup and evaluation can be very helpful for determining which birth control is right for you.

If you experience any unusual feelings or symptoms after you stop birth control, you may need to go back to the doctor for professional help. Signs to watch out for include dizziness, headaches, or nausea. Some people can stop taking contraceptives with no problems, but it’s also normal to experience some symptoms or effects when you stop.

A woman’s ovulation cycle after birth control should return to normal immediately after stopping birth control unless it was a shot. You can also ask your obstetrician about how to get pregnant after birth control, and they can provide you with information on expectations, useful tips, and even an evaluation.

Although it’s possible to immediately get pregnant after birth control, most couples don’t conceive right away. However, 85% of couples conceive after a year of trying. After the year, you may want to visit your obstetrician, who can give you guidance or possibly refer you to a fertility specialist.

Updated on February 13, 2022

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/contraceptive-injection/

https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/getting-pregnant-after-stopping-the-pill-know-how-soon-you-can-conceive/

What are the chances of getting pregnant after stopping birth control pill?

As soon as you come off the pill there is a chance you will become pregnant. In fact, one study has suggested that as many as 40% of women who come of the pill will have a period or get pregnant in the first month. This goes up to 99% in 3 months.

How long does it take to ovulate after stopping birth control?

Generally speaking, ovulation will resume two to four weeks after you stop the pill. It may take a bit longer for older women and women who have been on the pill for a long time, according to Columbia Health. In some cases, re-establishing a regular ovulation cycle can take a few months.