TTC After Stopping Birth Control
What to expect for each type—and how to optimize your chances.
Key Points
- Most birth control: Fertility returns within 1-3 months
- The exception: Depo-Provera shot can delay return up to 12-18 months
- No "waiting period" needed: You can start trying immediately (with most methods)
- Long-term use doesn't affect fertility: Studies show no difference in conception rates
How Quickly Does Fertility Return?
Good news: for most birth control methods, fertility returns quickly—often within the first cycle or two. Contrary to some myths, long-term birth control use does not damage your fertility or make it harder to conceive later.
Research shows that women who used birth control for years conceive at the same rate as women who never used it. The main variable is the type of birth control you were using.
| Birth Control Type | Fertility Return | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Combination pill | 1-3 months | Most ovulate within first cycle |
| Progestin-only pill | Immediately | Very quick return |
| Hormonal IUD (Mirena, etc.) | Immediately | Fertility returns upon removal |
| Copper IUD (Paragard) | Immediately | No hormones to clear |
| Implant (Nexplanon) | 1-3 months | Similar to pill |
| NuvaRing | 1-3 months | Similar to pill |
| Patch | 1-3 months | Similar to pill |
| Depo-Provera shot | 3-18 months | Longest delay |
| Condoms/Diaphragm | Immediately | No effect on fertility |
Timeline by Birth Control Method
Combined Oral Contraceptives (The Pill)
Fertility returns: 1-3 cyclesThe pill works by suppressing ovulation through synthetic estrogen and progestin. Once you stop taking it, your body needs to resume its natural hormone production.
What to expect:
- Many women ovulate within 2-4 weeks of stopping
- Your first period may be late or irregular
- Some women conceive in the very first cycle off the pill
- By 3 months, 85% of women are ovulating normally
The "rebound effect": Some studies suggest slightly higher fertility in the first 1-3 months after stopping the pill—though this isn't proven for everyone.
Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, Skyla)
Fertility returns: ImmediatelyHormonal IUDs release progestin locally in the uterus. The hormone doesn't significantly suppress ovulation in most women—it primarily thickens cervical mucus and thins the uterine lining.
What to expect:
- You can start trying immediately after removal
- Many women ovulate within 2 weeks of removal
- Studies show no delay in conception compared to non-IUD users
- Your period may be heavier initially (it was suppressed by the IUD)
Copper IUD (Paragard)
Fertility returns: ImmediatelyThe copper IUD contains no hormones—it prevents pregnancy through the spermicidal effect of copper. Your natural cycle continues while using it.
What to expect:
- No waiting period needed
- You were already ovulating with the IUD in place
- Fertility is exactly the same as before insertion
Implant (Nexplanon)
Fertility returns: 1-3 cyclesThe implant releases progestin that suppresses ovulation. Once removed, the hormone clears from your system relatively quickly.
What to expect:
- Most women ovulate within 3-4 weeks of removal
- Conception rates return to normal within 3 months
- Irregular bleeding may occur initially as hormones normalize
Depo-Provera (The Shot)
Fertility returns: 3-18 monthsDepo-Provera is the one birth control that can significantly delay fertility return. It's a long-acting injectable progestin that fully suppresses ovulation.
What to expect:
- Average return to fertility: 10 months after last injection
- Some women take 18+ months to resume ovulation
- Duration of use doesn't affect how long it takes to return
- There's nothing you can do to speed it up—it just takes time
⚠️ Planning Ahead?
If you know you want to conceive within the next year, consider switching from Depo to another method now. The delay is unpredictable—some women conceive quickly, others wait over a year.
NuvaRing and Patch
Fertility returns: 1-3 cyclesThese work similarly to the combination pill—delivering estrogen and progestin to suppress ovulation. Fertility return is similar.
What to expect:
- Ovulation typically returns within 1-2 cycles
- Most women have normal fertility within 3 months
What to Expect After Stopping Birth Control
Irregular Cycles at First
It's completely normal for your first few cycles off birth control to be irregular. Your body is recalibrating its natural hormone production. Cycles may be:
- Longer or shorter than "typical" 28 days
- Anovulatory (no ovulation) for a cycle or two
- Accompanied by unusual symptoms as hormones fluctuate
Your "Natural" Cycle May Differ From Your Pill Cycle
The pill creates an artificial 28-day cycle. Your natural cycle may be 25 days, 32 days, or anything in between. Don't assume you'll ovulate on day 14—track your cycle to learn your actual pattern.
Symptoms You May Notice
- Acne: May flare up as hormones adjust (especially if you were on a pill that helped with acne)
- Heavier periods: If your BC lightened your flow, it may return to pre-BC levels
- PMS symptoms: May return or be more noticeable
- Fertile cervical mucus: You may notice EWCM for the first time in years!
- Ovulation pain: Some women feel mittelschmerz (ovulation cramping) once ovulation resumes
📊 Conception Rates After Birth Control
Studies show that within 12 months of stopping birth control, conception rates are the same as for women who never used hormonal contraception. Long-term use does not reduce your fertility.
Tips for Getting Pregnant Faster After Birth Control
1. Start Tracking Immediately
Don't assume when you'll ovulate—track it! Use OPKs to detect your LH surge and identify your fertile window. This is especially important when cycles are irregular.
2. Begin Prenatal Vitamins Now
Start taking a prenatal with at least 400mcg of folic acid as soon as you stop birth control (or even before). Folic acid is crucial for preventing neural tube defects in the first weeks of pregnancy.
3. Have Sex Every 2-3 Days
If you're not sure when you're ovulating, having sex every 2-3 days throughout your cycle ensures sperm is present when ovulation occurs.
4. Track Cervical Mucus
Fertile cervical mucus (clear, stretchy, egg-white consistency) is a natural sign that ovulation is approaching. Learn to recognize it as a free fertility indicator.
5. Be Patient with Irregular Cycles
If your cycles are all over the place initially, give it 3-6 months to regulate. This is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong.
6. Optimize Overall Health
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine
- Manage stress
- Get regular exercise (but don't overdo it)
- Ensure adequate sleep
Mira Fertility Tracker
Measures actual hormone levels (not just thresholds), making it ideal for women with irregular cycles post-birth control. Shows your unique hormone curve so you can pinpoint ovulation even when cycles vary.
Ritual Prenatal Vitamins
Clean, traceable ingredients with methylated folate (better absorbed than folic acid). Start now—before you conceive—for optimal neural tube protection.
When to See a Doctor
Most women don't need medical intervention after stopping birth control. However, consult your doctor if:
- No period for 3+ months after stopping (called post-pill amenorrhea)
- Very irregular cycles persist beyond 6 months
- You're over 35 and haven't conceived after 6 months of trying
- You're under 35 and haven't conceived after 12 months of trying
- You have symptoms of PCOS (irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth)
- You were on Depo and haven't had a period in 18+ months
💡 Post-Pill Amenorrhea
If your period doesn't return within 3 months of stopping birth control, it's worth checking in with your doctor. This could indicate an underlying issue (like PCOS or hypothalamic amenorrhea) that was masked by the pill—or simply that your body needs more time to regulate.
The Bottom Line
For most birth control methods, fertility returns quickly—within 1-3 cycles. The major exception is Depo-Provera, which can delay fertility return for up to 18 months.
You can start trying immediately after stopping most birth control (no "waiting period" needed). Track your cycles, take your prenatals, and give your body a few months to regulate. Most women conceive within 12 months of trying—regardless of previous birth control use. 💚