Does the Birth Control Pill Affect Fertility?

When considering the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy, the main worry from most women is can birth control pills affect fertility. In this article, we discuss what birth control pills do to the body, can birth control decrease fertility, and the likelihood of getting pregnant after coming off oral contraceptives.

What Is the Birth Control Pill?

Also known as an oral contraceptive, the birth control pill [1 ] is a hormonal method of preventing pregnancy. When taken as instructed, which is typically daily, the birth control pill is considered over 99% effective in prohibiting pregnancy.

Due to the hormones contained in oral contraception, it is also used to balance reproductive hormones, manage irregular menstrual cycles, and ease PMS symptoms. Sometimes, the pill is prescribed to treat endometriosis and severe cases of acne, and it can also help reduce the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.

Many women take oral contraceptives for years and when it comes time to start a family, some might find themselves faced with the question: can birth control affect fertility? Alternatively, younger women first starting birth control pills might question will birth control affect fertility.

The answer to both is usually, no. Keep reading to find out more.

What Does the Birth Control Pill Do to the Body?

The hormones contained in birth control pills are designed to prevent conception i.e. the fertilisation of an egg. It does this in three ways [2 ].

Firstly, oral contraceptives are formulated to cease or reduce ovulation, which is when an ovary releases a mature egg each month.

Secondly, birth control pills are designed to thicken the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to swim through the cervix and into the fallopian tubes where it could fertilise an egg.

Thirdly, birth control pills thin the lining of the uterus (endometrium) which prevents a fertilised egg from from implanting and growing.

Once you stop taking birth control pills the above-mentioned effects subside. Ovulation is restored, cervical mucus thins to allow the free passage of sperm through the cervix, and the endometrium thickens at the right time of the month in preparation for implantation.

Therefore, the answer to the question, do birth control pills affect fertility, is generally no.

Are There Side Effects to Coming Off the Pill?

Birth control pills contain hormones, and the supplementation of estrogen and/or progestin can cause some temporary changes as the body adapts. So in the same way that some women experience temporary side effects when starting the pill, some will also feel changes after stopping the pill [3 ].

This can be true of any hormone-based birth control, such as; patches, vaginal rings, IUDs, or rods. However, most side effects from coming off hormone-based contraceptives are temporary and typically subside quickly.

The most common side effects associated with coming off the pill include:

Breast tenderness
Irregular menstruation for a few months
Mood Changes
Bloating
Headaches

If you’re experiencing any of these temporary symptoms after stopping the pill, try to be mindful that your body is adapting to less estrogen and/or progestin and give it time.

Over-the-counter pain medication can ease headaches or breast tenderness. Staying hydrated, exercising, and eating a well-balanced diet will help your body adjust to the changes.

Can Birth Control Pills Have a Lasting Effect on Fertility When You Stop Using It?

Within a few months of stopping the pill, most women’s menstrual cycles will return to their normal pattern without any effects on fertility, and conceiving is not usually an issue.

That said, women with an underlying condition like endometriosis [4 ] or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [5 ] may struggle with irregular periods and ovulation after coming off oral contraceptives.

Both of these conditions can result in fertility issues, and if you’ve been trying to conceive without success after coming off the pill, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor for further evaluation.

It’s also wise to bear in mind that women’s age and overall health can impact their fertility. Women in their 20’s, for instance, are usually more fertile than women in their 30s or 40s. It could therefore take a little longer for women their 30s and 40s to conceive.

Can Birth Control Pills Cause Low Ovarian Reserve?

Low ovarian reserve [6 ] is when women have fewer eggs than other women their age. However, no evidence exists to show that taking oral contraceptives long-term can lower a woman’s egg reserve.

As explained above, the birth control pill can mask underlying conditions, such as PCOS or endometriosis, which can cause fertility issues. But the hormones contained in the pill typically do not affect fertility or a woman’s ability to produce eggs.

Can Your Mind Affect Fertility?

Although it’s perfectly normal to ponder the effects of taking birth control pills, try not to overly worry about it. Thinking thoughts like ‘Does birth control hurt fertility?’ or ‘Does birth control lower fertility?’ when you’re trying to get pregnant will only increase your stress levels.

Stress and baby-making don’t typically go well together. So rather than worrying about the effects of the pill, try to stay positive, envision your future family, and enjoy the process.

Conclusion

So you’ve stopped taking birth control pills and you’re wondering does birth control decrease fertility? The good news is, you can put your mind at ease. Although taking oral contraceptives can result in some temporary side effects once you stop, it is not known to affect fertility or cause fertility issues.

In addition to preventing pregnancy, the birth control pill also reduces symptoms of endometriosis and PCOS. When this is an underlying condition, stopping the pill could result in irregular menstrual cycles, PMS, or ovulation issues.

If you’ve been trying to conceive without success since coming off birth control pills, consider taking a fertility test at home or scheduling an appointment with your doctor to learn more.

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