Is it true that using birth control makes it more difficult to get pregnant?

It's one of life's great ironies: you take precautions to avoid pregnancy while you're most fertile, yet when you're ready to have a family, your fertility begins to diminish. If you're over 30 and finding it difficult to conceive, you're undoubtedly wondering if something you've done is causing your fertility to suffer. You could even question if your birth control method has harmed your capacity to conceive.

No, is the quick answer. Your fertility has not been harmed by any kind of birth control you employed to avoid conception (apart from sterilization). While there are certain hazards connected with the use of hormone-based contraceptives, infertility is not one of them. In reality, several studies show that there is no difference in the rate of conception between women who take hormonal contraceptives and those who do not.

Hormonal Birth Control and a Return to Ovulation:

When used, all reversible birth control methods help you avoid unplanned pregnancy, and they have no effect on your fertility if you stop taking them. Normal ovulation, which is required for reproduction, may take some time to resume. In reality, it's very unusual for a woman's fertility to recover once she stops using hormonal birth control (oral contraceptives, a hormone intrauterine device like Mirena, the vaginal ring, or implanted birth control). Don't be discouraged if the wait is as long as four months.

Some women who have used oral contraceptives or another kind of hormonal birth control may have a rapid return to ovulation and normal fertility. That's why, if your period hasn't returned after you've stopped using hormonal birth control, you should get a pregnancy test.

The Depo-Provera injectable is the lone exception to this rule. Researchers discovered that women who receive the injection every three months require an average of 5.5 months to recover to normal ovulation, but it can take up to 18 months for certain women. Your fertility may be affected as a result of this.

Tubal Ligation:

Tubal ligation, sometimes known as "having your tubes tied," is a type of sterilization or long-term birth control. In most cases, the fallopian tubes are completely blocked. The tubes are cut, clamped, and shut, preventing fertilization and thereby preventing pregnancy. The technique is as successful as vasectomy for men, with a success rate of over 99 percent.

Reversing a tubal ligation can be done by a variety of methods. The rate of success is determined by how the tubes were "tied."

Copper IUD:

Copper ions are used in the copper intrauterine device to prevent pregnancy. These ions are sperm-toxic, preventing conception by killing sperm. Your doctor will place the copper IUD in your uterus and remove it in the same manner. Because no hormones are involved, there is no disturbance to the normal ovulation cycle, and the copper IUD does not jeopardize fertility.

Natural Methods of Birth Control:

Keeping track of your menstrual cycle, tracking your temperature, and monitoring cervical mucus are all part of natural birth control. When your temperature rises slightly and you detect more cervical mucous, it's time to start thinking about ovulation. By avoiding intercourse during this time, you can avoid becoming pregnant.

Because this method of birth control does not include the use of hormones or foreign objects, it will not interfere with your fertility. Of course, when it comes to preventing pregnancy, natural birth control isn't as successful as other options.

Check with your doctor if you suspect Infertility:

Contact your doctor if you believe your fertility has been compromised. After 12 months of unprotected intercourse, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive. After 6 months of unprotected intercourse, women over the age of 35 should consult their doctor to ensure they are not pregnant. Depending on reproductive age, infertility affects 15-35 percent of the population. There are a variety of treatment options available depending on your diagnosis, so contact your doctor as soon as you feel you may be having reproductive problems.