How Different Contraceptives Affect Fertility
Understanding your different options for contraceptives and their effects on fertility are important for successful family planning. If you plan to start a family in the future, you should choose a birth control method that lines up with your time table. While some contraceptives have no lasting effect on fertility, some have effects that last for a year or more. It’s important to consider these effects when deciding which contraceptive option is right for you.
Condoms and Diaphragms
Condoms and diaphragms, also referred to a barrier contraceptives, only take effect when they are in use. They have no long-term effect on male or female fertility, so as soon as you stop using them, there’s no barrier to conception.
Birth Control Pills
✨ Trying to Conceive?
Our Ovulation & Fertility Bundle combines Myo-Inositol with essential vitamins to support healthy hormone balance and regular ovulation.
Shop Now — $55.00✓ Free shipping on orders over $40 | ✓ Trusted by millions of couples worldwide
Many women and their partners worry that using oral birth control for a long time will negatively affect their fertility. Most studies, however, have found that birth control pills do not have an effect on long-term fertility. A 2010 study by the BU School of Public Health, found that “Women who have used
IUDs
Intrauterine devices work by releasing a substance (either copper or a hormone called progestin) that prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. Since IUDs don’t directly affect ovulation, women’s cycles typically return to normal within about a month. It usually takes a little longer for women to become pregnant; IUDs are thought to affect fertility for slightly longer than oral contraceptives. On average, it takes women about 11 months to become pregnant after having an IUD removed. Researchers do not believe there is any long-term effect on fertility.
Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera is a hormonal contraceptive that works much like birth control pills, except that the hormones are taken as an injection every three months. Because the hormones are injected into the muscles, they linger in your body and have long-lasting effects on fertility. Typically, the time it takes to return to default fertility is between 10 months and a year and a half. However, you may become pregnant as soon as three months after using Depo-Provera regularly. Because the injections take a long time to stop having an effect, you should not choose this method of contraceptive if you hope to get pregnant soon.
Conceive Plus® can help with your family planning!
Conceive Plus® products are available in pharmacies, drug stores, fertility clinics and even supermarkets in over 70 countries around the world helping millions of couples to get pregnant. Each day more and more trust our products to support their journey of starting or expanding their family.
🌱 Support Your Fertility Journey
Conceive Plus fertility supplements are clinically formulated to help regulate your cycle and support egg quality.
Shop Fertility Support →Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended by Fertility Experts
Conceive Plus Men's Fertility Support
Designed to support healthy sperm production, motility, and overall male reproductive health with clinically studied nutrients.
Shop Now →How long after stopping birth control pills can I get pregnant?
Most women can become pregnant within one to three months after stopping birth control pills, though some may take up to a year for their ovulation cycles to fully normalize. The hormones in oral contraceptives (estrogen and progesterone) temporarily suppress ovulation, but this effect is reversible and does not cause long-term fertility damage. If you haven't conceived after a year of trying, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends consulting a fertility specialist.
Do IUDs cause permanent infertility or damage to the uterus?
No, IUDs do not cause permanent infertility or uterine damage when properly inserted and removed by a healthcare provider. Fertility typically returns within one month of IUD removal, though it may take an average of 11 months to achieve pregnancy. The copper or progestin in IUDs works locally to prevent fertilization and does not affect long-term reproductive capacity.
Is it safe to use barrier methods like condoms if I'm planning to conceive soon?
Yes, barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms are completely safe to use when planning to conceive, as they have no effect on fertility. These contraceptives only work during use and have no impact on ovulation, hormones, or reproductive health once you stop using them. You can transition to trying to conceive immediately after discontinuing barrier methods without any recovery period.
How does the Depo-Provera shot affect my ability to get pregnant?
Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a hormonal injection that can delay fertility return compared to other contraceptives, with an average delay of 9-10 months after the last injection. However, this does not indicate permanent infertility damage, and most women conceive within 12-18 months of their final shot. If you're planning to become pregnant soon, discuss alternative contraceptive options with your healthcare provid
Should I switch contraception methods if I want to start a family within the next year?
Yes, if you're planning to conceive within one year, switching to barrier methods or oral contraceptives may be preferable to long-acting methods like IUDs or Depo-Provera shots. Barrier methods have no recovery period, while pills typically require one to three months for cycle normalization, whereas IUDs and hormonal injections may delay conception by several months. Discuss your family planning timeline with your gynecologist to choose the most suitable option.
Can long-term use of birth control pills reduce my future fertility?
No, according to a 2010 study by Boston University School of Public Health, long-term oral contraceptive use (four years or more) does not negatively affect future fertility or the ability to conceive. Birth control pills only temporarily suppress ovulation through synthetic hormones, and this effect reverses once you stop taking them. Your long-term reproductive capacity remains intact regardless of how long you've used oral contraceptives.
What should I do if I'm not getting pregnant after removing my contraception?
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends seeing a fertility specialist if you've been trying to conceive for one year (or six months if over age 35) without success. Depending on your specific contraceptive method and how long it's been since removal, temporary delays in conception are normal and don't necessarily indicate fertility problems. A reproductive endocrinologist can perform testing to identify any underlying fertility concerns and discuss treatment options with you.
Trusted by Couples in Over 70 Countries
Support Male Fertility From the Inside Out
Male fertility is just as important as female fertility in the conception journey. Conceive Plus Men's range delivers targeted nutritional support to promote healthy sperm and overall reproductive wellbeing.
Shop Men's Range →
