Birth Control Effects on Fertility
It would seem that if one is using birth control, then fertility would not be in question. However, fertility can be affected by birth control use. This is especially true if the type of birth control is internal rather than external. What may surprise you is that birth control can affect fertility both positively and negatively.
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The Facts
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A lot of things have to occur in order for a baby to be conceived, and these same things must either be reversed or prevented for a pregnancy not to happen.
For a pregnancy to happen, ovulation must occur, and the egg must be fertilized. For that to happen, sperm must be present. If fertilization does occur, then the womb must be in a receptive state so that implantation of the developing fetus can occur.
Those wanting to avoid pregnancy must ensure that either ovulation is stopped, or that the sperm cannot reach the egg; or, if fertilization does occur, that implantation is not successful.
Significance
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The type of birth control used, the amount of time one remains on birth control, and the impact the birth control has on a woman's hormones can all affect fertility. It can lessen it, for sure, but sometimes it can heighten it.
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Types
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Basically, there are two types of birth control: internal and external. Internal birth control includes the birth control pill and implanted devices such as an IUD. Generally, if anything is going to have an effect on fertility, it will be internal birth control.
External birth control is that which is used on the outside of the body, for the male, or only inserted into the female's cervix or vagina, and not all the way into the womb.
Effects
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The birth control pill changes hormone levels. If the levels are too low, a woman will have difficulty getting pregnant. If she does not want to get pregnant, then this is fine.
If, however, she does but has been unsuccessful, and it has been established that the cause is either low hormone levels or irregular ovulation and periods, then the birth control can correct either or both of these problems. Once the underlying condition has been improved, the chances for pregnancy will increase.
IUDs cause changes in the lining of the womb, making it less receptive to a fertilized egg.
Internal birth control does cause alterations in a woman's body, and these in turn can affect fertility. Once internal birth control is removed or stopped, it may take a few months for a woman's fertility level to become normal.
External birth control, both male and female, works by blocking the sperm so that it cannot reach the egg. External birth control will have no effect on fertility, because it causes no changes in the woman's body.
Caveat
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Armed with this knowledge, It may be tempting to self-diagnose. Make no assumptions about the correlation between birth control and fertility. Each woman is different. Consult your reproductive health specialist about your concerns and desires.
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