Birth Control and Fertility

Most women over their lives have used one form of contraception or another. When it’s time to conceive, many women fear that the contraceptive may have harmed them or caused infertility. However, is this fear based on myth or truth? 

Key Takeaways

• Different birth control methods do have side effects on users including menstrual irregularities or delayed menstrual cycles. 
• Many women choose birth control from a referral from family and friends or which one has the least side effects. 
• Birth control does effectively prevent pregnancy, but each method depends on the one using it. 
• Natural birth control methods don’t effectively prevent pregnancy but have no side effects on the user.

How Does Birth Control Work?

Birth control is a simple and convenient way to prevent pregnancy. It also has other benefits like reducing acne, regulating your period, and easing menstrual cramps. There are different types of birth and they work by mimicking the functions of naturally occurring hormones called progesterone and estrogen. Birth control can be estrogen-based, progesterone-based, or a combination of both. Let’s take a look at different birth control methods. 

The Condom

Condoms are one of the most popular birth control methods because they also protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs). A condom is a barrier method of birth control, preventing pregnancy by keeping semen (sperm-filled fluid) from entering the vagina. When used well, condoms are about 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, they can tear, leak, or slip off.

The Pill

The pill is another popular form of contraceptive. According to the CDC, 12.6 percent of women across all age ranges daily use oral contraceptives. There are two main types of birth control pills:

• Progestin-only pills: These pills have only progestin, which thickens your cervical mucus to prevent sperm from getting to your eggs. This pill must be taken daily. 
• Combination pills: These pills contain both estrogen and progestin and prevent ovulation. 

Birth control pills can come with negative side effects like:

• Nausea
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Low libido
• Irritability
• Tenderness or swelling in the breasts
• Spotting between periods

Does the pill affect fertility? 

No, the pill doesn’t affect future fertility. It uses hormones to stop ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus so sperm can’t travel easily to fertilize the eggs. Because of its nature, many women will return to their natural levels of hormone secretion after they stop taking the pill. This can happen within a couple of days or weeks. However, for some women, it can take up to twelve months for a normal cycle to return.

Implants

Implants are contraceptives placed below the skin on the user’s upper arm and slowly release progestin. They change hormone levels in the body and prevent ovulation and fertilization. They last around 3 years prevent ovulation and thicken the mucus in your cervix, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg if ovulation happens. 

Side effects from the implant can be:

• Bruising or swelling at the insertion site 
• Spotting
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Changes in the menstrual cycle
• Acne
• Sore breasts

Does the implant affect fertility?

The implant does not affect long-term future fertility. Similar to other hormonal contraceptives, the implant allows a return to normal fertility after removal. In some cases the return is quick, taking two weeks. 

Intrauterine Devices

Intrauterine devices, commonly known as IUDs, can be hormonal or copper-based. They prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg and are a great long-term berth control option, lasting anywhere from three to 10 years.

You can remove your IUD at any time and get pregnant right away. Negative side effects can be:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Heavy bleeding when first inserted
• Severe cramps
• Spotting between periods

Does the IUD cause infertility?

The copper IUD doesn’t affect the hormones in a woman’s body. The hormonal IUD does affect a woman’s hormones but still doesn't affect future fertility. Once women remove the IUD, they can quickly return to fertility and don't experience any long-term fertility problems. 

Nevertheless, many women have reservations about the IUD because of infections and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) that can follow insertion. 

Injections

These are progestin-based contraceptives taken in three-month cycles. As already mentioned, progestin stops ovulation and discourages the fertilization of eggs. The injection is the least reversible form of contraceptives. This is because you must wait until the injection hormones leave your body before you get pregnant. 

Common side effects include:

• Changes in your periods, including a complete stop in periods
• Weight gain
• Hot flushes
• Acne
• Mood changes
• Bruising or swelling at the injection site 
• Lower sex drive
• Headaches

Do injections affect fertility?

There have been no studies that show a correlation between contraceptive injections and infertility. However, because they are designed to last longer in the body, injections can have lingering effects for up to 1.5 years. But, they do not affect long-term future fertility.

Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation or tying tubes is a process where the fallopian tubes are blocked using different methods. This prevents sperm from reaching and fertilizing the eggs. Though there’s a reversal process, tubal ligation is generally considered a permanent contraceptive and is usually recommended to women who are absolutely sure they don’t want to have children. 

Does tubal ligation affect fertility?

Yes, it does. This is the only method that has a lasting effect on future fertility. Even if reversed, fertility isn’t the same as there will always be scarring. The chance of conception after a reversal is around 40-70%, and this depends on age, how long your tubes have been tied, and the method used. 

Still, pregnancy can be achieved using in vitro fertilization (IVF) without performing a reversal in a fertility clinic like Ivy Fertility. This is because the eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries. 

In Conclusion

It is obvious that natural birth control methods don’t affect infertility, but If you’re considering conception, it’s important to choose a method of contraception that matches your plan. While most contraception methods don’t have a long-term effect on future fertility, some can cause a delay in returned fertility once you stop using them. However, before making any decision, talk to a healthcare professional who is better placed to advise them on the best birth control method.