If you have decided that you’d like to become pregnant after being on birth control, a common question is, “How soon after stopping the pill will I be able to conceive?” In most cases, doctors indicate a woman can become pregnant very quickly. First of all, 8% of women on the pill, become pregnant while on the pill. It has a “failure” rate of 8%. Prolonged use of birth control however has been reported to confuse the body. (See article on Top Five Ways…)
It is important to note however, that for those women who received the Shot (Depo-Provera) in the arm or buttocks four times a year, it will take longer because the hormone is retained longer in the muscle. It takes time for the chemical to be flushed out of the body. (See article on Fertility) In addition, the pill thins the lining of the womb, so for the uterus to be most hospitable for implantation of a fertilized ovum, it should return to its normal thickness and texture.
Doctors also recognize that each woman will have different levels of fertility. So whatever the normal level of fertility for the woman, that is the level at which she can expect to return. For example, if she had previously been a person who found it difficult to get pregnant, then her body would return to that same condition.
If a couple chose tubal ligation or vasectomy and then changed their minds and wanted children afterall, then a reversal procedure can be attempted. For tubal ligation reversals, the chance of success is 40 to 70%. For vasectomy reversal, the success rate is higher. The reversal in these case is 85 to 97 percent successful.
Note: Information on this website is intended to supplement, not substitute for the knowledge of your doctor, or other health care provider.