After tying the knot with your love, you want to enjoy your married life. And for this, you do not want to have a child just after getting married to your love. As you are highly fertile in your 20s and 30s, you follow birth control methods after talking to a doctor at a fertility centre in Whitefield or your locality.
You start applying contraceptive methods. The world around you has several myths or misconceptions about pregnancy, fertility, child delivery, etc. Therefore, you have some questions around birth control methods. Does birth control cause infertility is one of those queries you may have in your mind. Here, have a look at all the associated points:
What is birth control?
Also acknowledged as contraception, birth control is a set of methods to prevent conception or pregnancy. Different birth control methods work differently. Here are some of them:
- Prevent sperm from getting close to the egg. Used methods are condoms, contraceptive sponges, cervical caps, and diaphragms
- Keep the ovaries in control from egg release. The types consists of patches, birth control pills, vaginal rings, shots, and emergency contraceptive pills
- Sterilise prevents someone from having conception
What is infertility?
Infertility is a type of inability to produce a child even after having timed and unprotected sex for more than a year. As per the World Health Organisation, approximately 48 million couples and 186 million individuals around the globe suffer from it.
What are birth control types and how do they matter?
Usually, your birth control choice depends on several factors such as how you are sexually active, number of sexual partners, and the time when you want to expand your family. Your gynaecologist or doctor will help you choose the best option for you. Here are some common birth control types or methods:
- Condoms
- Contraceptive sponges
- Pill
- Cervical caps
- Implant
- Diaphragms
- Shot
- Vaginal rings,
- Patch
- IUD
- Sterilisation
- Spermicide & gel
- Withdrawal (Pull out method)
Side effects of birth control methods
Birth control methods leave impacts on hormones in your body. Many of them alter hormone levels. So, it is sure that you will experience some side effects as you start applying contraceptive methods. You need to keep in mind that you can conceive as you stop using birth control methods. Here are some probable side effects you may experience:
- Hormonal acne
- Irregular periods
- Heavier periods
- Mood swings
- Weight loss
- PMS
- Increased libido
- Minor hair loss for about 6 months
- Lower vitamin D levels
Does birth control cause infertility? Or, Can birth control affect your fertility?
In simple words, NO. Birth control does not cause infertility or affect fertility. Using contraceptive methods can cause you to have some side effects. However, infertility is not one of them. Here, it is crucial for you to note that being pregnant is different for different females. You might get pregnant as you make a plan for it and start working on it. Some of you might have to struggle a lot. However, there is no role of birth control methods in fertility problems.
Facts and statistics on birth control and infertility
As per a study done on a large number of females, 21.1% women got pregnant in the first month just after leaving contraceptive methods and around 79% women conceived within a year. Another study conducted on women who took birth control pills and who didn’t take any contraception methods showed that 57.5% women became pregnant within 1 month of the pill discontinuation. In the study, some women experienced shorter luteal phases and menstrual cycles.
Birth control effects on ovulation
Hormone-based birth control does two things – 1. Prevent ovulation, and 2. Thicken cervical mucus. For being pregnant, you need to ovulate. You resume your ovulation as you stop using hormonal birth control methods. As you are different from others, you may take a longer time in your ovulation resumption.
Birth control effects on menstruation
After the discontinuation of your contraception methods, you might have irregular menstrual cycles. You might have longer cycles, cramps, irregular periods, and spotting between periods. After a certain time, your menstrual cycle will become normal.
STIs can cause you to have infertility
Women on contraception methods don’t love wearing condoms and let their partners to use condoms before getting engaged into sexual itercourse. The pill or other things can prevent you from being pregnant. However, they can’t protect you from having sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you make love with an infected person. You should use condoms if you are highly active in your sexual life or have multiple sexual partners. STIs may cause you to have fertility problems.
How long should you wait to conceive after the discontinuation of contraception methods?
After discontinuing contraceptive methods, you should not wait for longer than 6 months (if you are over 35) or 1 year (if you are below 35). You should see a fertility expert when you do not conceive through your effort for more than 6 to 12 months.
Conclusion
Birth control and infertility are two different things. Birth control or contraception methods have no role in your fertility problems or do not cause infertility to you. Having a sound idea about all the associated points will be beneficial for you and keep you away from the myths or misconceptions.
