Getting pregnant after birth control

When should you stop using birth control?

If you’re thinking about pregnancy, then you should stop using birth control when you’re ready to start trying. With most forms of birth control, fertility will return to normal levels very quickly – although it can take longer with the birth control shot, so if you’re using this method of contraception, you may need to think longer-term when it comes to pregnancy planning. 

Birth control doesn’t affect subsequent fertility, meaning there won’t be a negative impact on your fertility after stopping birth control [1]. However, other factors can affect fertility, including your age – you can find out more about that below.

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

The chances of getting pregnant after stopping birth control depend on various factors, including the type of contraception, your age, your reproductive health and your general health. One review of 22 different studies across 15,000 women of all ages who stopped using birth control found that 83.1% became pregnant within the first 12 months [2].

That’s not dissimilar to the NHS’ findings, which states that, for women who have regular sex:

• 92% of those aged 19 to 26 will get pregnant within one year
• 98% of those within this age bracket will get pregnant after two years
• 82% of those aged 25 to 39 will get pregnant after one year
• 90% of those in this age group will get pregnant after two years [3]

One of the main factors that affects fertility is your age. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists highlights how fertility is affected by age [4]:

• In their 20s and early 30s, around 1 in 4 women will get pregnant in a single menstrual cycle
• At age 40, around 1 in 10 women will get pregnant per menstrual cycle 

That means that you’re more likely to get pregnant in your 20s and 30s than in your 40s – and this remains true whether you’ve previously used birth control or not. 

However, your age isn’t the only factor that can affect your chances of getting pregnant. There are other considerations, including:

• Being obese or underweight
• Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis 
• How often you have sexual intercourse
• Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia
• Smoking and drinking too much alcohol
• Not exercising, as well as over-exercising
• Sperm count and sperm quality in the male partner

So, when you stop taking birth control, there are several factors at play when it comes to getting pregnant – and the type of contraception you were using is just one of them.

Do you need to be ovulating regularly to get pregnant?

Not all birth control methods (like Natural Cycles and the copper IUD) stop ovulation. But most hormonal methods of birth control do work by stopping ovulating. That means that, after stopping those methods of birth control, you will start ovulating – something which could happen within a month, or which could take many more months. Technically, you can get pregnant from the moment you start ovulating (i.e. when you start releasing eggs that can be fertilized), but when we talk about your fertility returning to ‘normal’ after stopping birth control, we mean how regularly you’re ovulating. Regular ovulation is one sign that you could be fertile, but it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get pregnant – and similarly, you don’t need to be ovulating regularly in order to get pregnant.

How long does it take to get pregnant?

The journey to pregnancy after stopping birth control can depend on the type of contraceptive used. With most forms of birth control, the possibility of getting pregnant returns very quickly after you stop using it – but some forms do take longer. One study in the British Medical Journal found that [5]:

• Women who used the birth control shot had the longest delay in the return of normal fertility (taking five to eight menstrual cycles)
• This was followed by those who used patch contraceptives (four menstrual cycles)
• Those who used oral contraceptives and vaginal rings generally took three cycles before returning to normal fertility
• The fastest return in normal fertility was seen in users of hormonal and copper IUDs and implants (two menstrual cycles)

In addition, the same study could not find that the length of hormonal contraception use had an impact on how long it took the couples to achieve pregnancy. Understanding how quickly you can get pregnant after stopping birth control is essential for family planning.

The pill

There are two different types of birth control pills: the progestin-only pill and the combined pill. Because they work to prevent pregnancy in different ways, the impact they have on fertility – and the amount of time you need to get pregnant when you stop taking them – can differ.

Progestin-only pill

The progestin-only pill is also called the mini pill, and it contains progestin, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. It works to prevent pregnancy in several ways [6]:

• It makes your cervical mucus thicker, meaning that sperm can’t reach the egg
• It makes the lining of the uterus thinner, meaning that any eggs can’t implant
• It can also stop you from ovulating, or make ovulation irregular

As the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus return to their natural states quickly after stopping the mini-pill, you can start trying to get pregnant as soon as you stop taking the pill, and according to ACOG, the likelihood of you getting pregnant is the same as for other women of your age who haven’t used the mini pill [6]. However, every woman’s body is different, and the NHS advises that it can take up to a month for your fertility to return to how it was before you started taking the pill [7].

Combined pill

The combined pill contains a combination of synthetic hormones estrogen and progesterone (progestin) and works differently from the mini pill. It stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, which prevents pregnancy. 

When you stop taking the combination pill, your ovulation could return fairly quickly, usually within around a month [8]. Depending on whether your ovulation was impacted, it may take longer than this for your menstrual cycle to return to normal, but most people usually get their regular period back within three months [9]. It’s worth keeping in mind that if your period was irregular before you started taking the pill, then it’s likely to also be irregular after you stop taking the pill. 

Implant

The implant is a small plastic rod that’s inserted under the skin of your upper arm. It works to prevent pregnancy by releasing synthetic progesterone into your bloodstream – which stops your ovaries from releasing an egg, as well as thickening the cervical mucus.

Your fertility is likely to return to normal quickly after having the implant removed, which means that there’s the potential to get pregnant soon after you stop using the implant. However, it may take some time before your normal menstrual cycle is reestablished. For some people, your period may return within a few weeks – and for most people, it should return to normal within three months [10]. 

IUD

There are two types of intrauterine devices (IUD): the hormonal IUD and the non-hormonal copper IUD. They’re small T-shaped devices that are inserted inside the uterus in order to prevent pregnancy, with each type releasing progestin or copper respectively, to thicken cervical mucus and prevent pregnancy.

If you want to get pregnant after removing your IUD, then the story is the same as for many other types of birth control – that is, you may be able to get pregnant fairly quickly after IUD removal. For both types of IUDs, research suggests that 85% of people will typically get pregnant within the first year after having the IUD removed [2]. 

Birth control shot

The birth control shot, also known by the brand name Depo-Provera, is an injectable hormonal contraception method given about four times per year. Unlike other types of hormonal birth control, the birth control shot can take longer to leave your system, meaning that it can take longer for you to get pregnant once you stop using it. A study by the British Medical Journal found that, on average, women coming off the patch took five to eight menstrual cycles to return to normal fertility.

It can take up to 10 months after you stop using the shot for your menstrual cycle to return to its normal pattern [11]. So if you’re planning a pregnancy and currently get the shot, you’ll need to factor this into your timeline – and if you’re weighing up your birth control options with a plan to get pregnant in the near future after stopping your contraception, the shot may not be the best option for you.

Birth control patch

The birth control patch is a patch that’s worn on your skin. It releases estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation, stopping you from getting pregnant.

You can get pregnant soon after you stop using the patch. Most people find that their periods return to their normal cycle one to two months after stopping the patch – but even if your periods don’t come back immediately, it may still be possible to get pregnant right after stopping the patch [12].

Vaginal ring

The vaginal ring is a small, flexible plastic ring that you insert inside your vagina. It releases hormones that stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month while also thickening your cervical mucus and thinning the lining of your uterus to stop implantation.

As with the combined pill and the birth control patch that rely on the same synthetic hormones, it’s possible to get pregnant quickly after you stop using the ring. As with the two other contraceptives of the same hormone family, your period may come back quickly, or it may take a few months for it to return to its usual cycle (reflecting the cycle you had before you started using the ring). But it may still be possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop using the ring, even if your period isn’t yet regular [13].

Condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps

These three methods of contraception are all types of barrier birth control. That means they act as a physical barrier stopping sperm from reaching eggs, rather than releasing hormones that prevent you from ovulating.

Because they don’t affect ovulation, it’s possible to get pregnant right away after you stop using a diaphragm, cervical cap, or condoms – you could get pregnant the next time you have sex without any of these methods. That’s great if you want to start trying for pregnancy right away, but if you’re not ready to start trying yet, you should continue using a barrier method until you’re ready to begin your pregnancy journey.

Is it safe to get pregnant right after you use birth control?

Yes. It’s safe to get pregnant after you stop using birth control, and doing so won’t cause you or your baby any harm. In the past, it was thought that there was a higher risk of miscarriage if you got pregnant right after stopping birth control, but research now shows that there’s no link between early pregnancy loss and birth control use [14].

How can you tell if you’re ovulating?

Knowing when you’re ovulating is key to understanding your fertility. It might not be something you’ve considered much before pregnancy planning, but it’s crucial when you start your pregnancy journey. It helps you to time sexual intercourse during your most fertile window, which increases the chance of conception.

Some of the signs of ovulation include:

• Increased cervical mucus – in the days before ovulation, your cervical mucus can become clear and stretchy, sometimes called “egg white” cervical mucus
• Higher sex drive – estrogen is linked to libido, and levels of this hormone are higher in the days before ovulation, meaning you may feel friskier during this time
• Sensitive breasts – many people experience tender breasts on the day they’re ovulating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain – ovulation pain can feel like a dull or sharp pain, and can last just a few minutes or for a full day or two [15]
• Hormone spike – in the 24-48 hours before ovulation, there’s a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which can be measured using ovulation tests (sometimes called LH tests)
• Basal body temperature – there’s a link between ovulation and temperature, with a small rise in your basal body temperature (BBT) after ovulation due to an increase in the hormone progesterone.

You can keep track of your symptoms during your cycle (either using an app or by noting down signs and symptoms on your own) to help you spot patterns and better identify when you’re ovulating. Natural Cycles can take the guesswork out of ovulation tracking, by using your past cycle data to give you a personalized prediction for ovulation – helping you better understand when you’re most fertile when planning a pregnancy, as well as pregnancy detection.

Tips for getting pregnant after stopping birth control

There are lots of different factors to consider when trying to get pregnant – it’s not just down to what birth control you were using, and when you stopped using it. If you're ready to start trying for a baby after stopping birth control, here are some practical tips to make the process smoother.

1. Track your cycle

Start monitoring your menstrual cycle to identify your fertile window using methods like basal body temperature, ovulation predictor kits, or fertility tracking apps. This will give you a better understanding of your cycle, helping you to understand when you’re ovulating – and, therefore, when your most fertile days are. It can also help you to spot any potential issues.

2. Have sex during your fertile window

You can’t get pregnant every day of your cycle – in fact, we’re only fertile for six days in any menstrual cycle, with the highest chance of pregnancy just one to two days before ovulation. Once you ovulate, the female egg cell starts to quickly deteriorate and can only survive for 12-24 hours. That means that you should plan to have sex on your most fertile days for the greatest chance of conceiving.

3. Make healthy choices

Give yourself the best chance of success when it comes to conceiving by putting your health first. If you smoke, it’s recommended that you stop doing so, and you should also stop drinking alcohol. It’s also a good idea to maintain a healthy weight, as being either overweight or underweight can affect your fertility [16].

4. Manage stress

There’s a direct link between stress and the menstrual cycle, and high levels of stress may delay ovulation [16]. Although trying for a baby can be a stressful time for many people, it’s a good idea to try to keep stress levels as low as possible. Find ways to relax and relieve pressure, whether that’s through exercise, meditation, spending quality time with friends and family, or making time to focus on your hobbies.

5. Be patient

Everyone’s journey to pregnancy looks different, whether they’ve previously used birth control or not. It can be affected by various factors, including your age and lifestyle. Some people may get pregnant on their first attempt, while for others, it can take months or even years. 

When to see a doctor

When you stop taking birth control, it can take some time before your menstrual cycle settles back into a normal rhythm. Remember that if you had irregular periods before you started taking birth control, then it’s likely that you’ll have irregular periods after you stop. While birth control doesn’t cause fertility problems, it may mask issues like irregular periods or medical conditions like PCOS, so you may want to visit a doctor if your cycle hasn’t returned to normal within a couple of months of stopping birth control [17].

Getting pregnant may take longer than you think, but if you’re concerned about the timescales or want some expert advice, you should speak to your doctor. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you should visit your healthcare provider if:

• You’re under 35 and haven’t got pregnant after 12 months of trying [3]
• You’re over 35 and haven’t got pregnant after 6 months of trying [4]

If you’re over 40, you may want to see a doctor before you start trying for a baby, as they will be able to give you advice on your particular situation.

Get pregnant faster with Natural Cycles

If you’re ready to start your pregnancy journey after stopping birth control, Natural Cycles can help you get there faster. We use a temperature-based method coupled with a clever algorithm to find the pattern of your cycle, meaning we can pinpoint your ovulation day. That means you can be more targeted in your approach. 

A recent study of more than 5,000 women found that most sexually active women without features of subfertility who used Natural Cycles to plan their pregnancy got pregnant in two cycles or less [18]. To date, we’ve helped more than 3 million women plan and prevent pregnancy worldwide. Why not find out if we could support you, too?