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Does Birth Control Cause Infertility?

In Nigeria, many women still worry that using birth control will “spoil their womb” or make it hard to have children later. You’ve probably heard someone say that the pill makes you barren or that the IUD damages the uterus.
These fears have made a lot of women avoid family planning altogether, even when they don’t want to get pregnant.
The truth is, birth control is safe and effective, and it does not cause permanent infertility.
But before answering the big question, let’s first understand the different types of birth control commonly used.
 
What are Birth Controls?
When people talk about “family planning”, they often mean different things.
Birth control methods work in different ways, but one thing they have in common is that they help prevent pregnancy safely. The most common ones include:
  • Pills – Taken daily, they contain hormones that prevent ovulation.
  • Injections (e.g., Depo-Provera) – Given every 2–3 months.
  • Implants – Small rods placed under the skin of the arm that work for 3–5 years.
  • IUDs (Copper or Hormonal) – Small devices placed inside the womb, lasting 5–10 years depending on the type.
  • Condoms – Provide protection against pregnancy and also STIs.
Some of these methods stop working as soon as you stop using them, while others may take a little longer for fertility to return.
That’s where many myths begin, but what does the research actually say?
 
The Big Question: Does Birth Control Cause Infertility?
The short answer is no.
Birth control does not cause permanent infertility. Once you stop using it, your ability to get pregnant usually returns. The difference is just how quickly fertility comes back, depending on the method used:
  • Pills & Implants – Fertility usually returns quickly after stopping. Some women can conceive within the first month of trying.
     
  • Injections (Depo-Provera) – This is where most women notice a delay. It can take 9–12 months for your period and ovulation to return to normal, but this is not a permanent change.
     
  • IUDs (Copper or Hormonal) – Fertility returns almost immediately after removal. Studies show no increased risk of infertility in women who have used an IUD.
     
  • Condoms – They do not affect fertility at all since they are only used during sex.
So, if a woman has trouble getting pregnant after stopping birth control, the cause is usually something else, not the contraceptive.
 
What Really Causes Infertility (Not Contraceptives)
When pregnancy doesn’t happen after stopping birth control, people are quick to blame the contraceptive.
But most times, infertility is linked to other health issues that may have been there long before family planning was used. Common causes include:
  • Untreated infections – Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can damage the fallopian tubes and womb, leading to blocked tubes and infertility.
     
  • Fibroids and Endometriosis – These conditions can affect the uterus and make conception difficult.
     
  • Hormonal problems – Issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid imbalances can prevent regular ovulation.
     
  • Male factor infertility – Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or untreated infections in men account for nearly half of infertility cases.
     
  • Age – Fertility naturally declines after age 35, regardless of whether a woman has ever used birth control.
Many women and men don’t get diagnosed early, and untreated health conditions are a bigger threat to fertility than contraceptives ever will be.
 
Common Myths in Nigeria
When it comes to family planning, myths spread faster than facts. Here are some of the most common ones and the truth behind them:
  • “Pills will make you barren.”
    – Pills only pause ovulation. Once you stop, your cycle returns to normal.
     
  • “IUD can damage the womb forever.”
    – An IUD sits safely in the womb and is removable. After it’s taken out, fertility comes back.
     
  • “Using contraception for too long makes you infertile.”
    – Duration of use doesn’t matter. Whether you use it for 6 months or 6 years, once you stop, fertility can return.
     
  • “Family planning makes women add weight or lose their figure.”
    – Some women may notice temporary weight changes due to hormones, but this does not affect fertility.
When to See a Doctor
Birth control doesn’t cause infertility, but if you’ve stopped using it and are struggling to conceive, it may be time to seek medical help.
You should see a doctor if:
  • You’ve been trying to get pregnant for 12 months without success (or 6 months if you’re 35 and above).
  • Your menstrual cycles are very irregular or absent.
  • You have painful periods, heavy bleeding, or pain during sex.
  • You’ve had a history of untreated STIs or pelvic infections.
  • You suspect conditions like fibroids, PCOS, or endometriosis.
Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in restoring fertility and improving your chances of conception.
 
Conclusion
At the end of the day, making choices about your reproductive health should come from knowledge, not fear.
Every woman deserves the right to decide when and how she wants to start a family without myths holding her back.
I’d love to hear from you. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve heard about birth control and fertility, and how did it shape the way you see family planning?
 
 
 
Researched by Victoria Odueso
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