Myths and Realities About Stopping Contraceptives for Fertility Treatment
We have noticed that many questions still exist regarding the use and discontinuation of contraceptive methods when deciding to approach a reproductive medicine expert to begin your journey towards pregnancy. ¹
This is why we believe it’s important to clear up the myths surrounding this topic, so you can feel more confident when starting your family project and make the best decision.
How should I stop using contraceptives if I want to get pregnant?
Every woman and every body is different. However, if you’re planning to have a baby, it’s necessary to have the support of a healthcare professional who can guide you on the best way and timing to stop using contraceptives before starting fertility treatment. ²
Below, we address the 7 most common myths women hear after stopping their contraceptives:
- Contraceptive pills cause weight gain. There is no evidence that stopping contraceptives leads to significant weight gain; however, it is important to maintain a healthy diet. ¹ ³
- Long-term use of contraceptives will make it harder to get pregnant in the future. Depending on the method used, most couples achieve positive results as soon as the next menstrual cycle or within six months to a year if they have unprotected intercourse. ³
- The IUD affects women seeking a second child. There’s little difference in the time it takes to regain fertility for a woman having her second baby versus a woman having her first, after using an IUD. However, the age of the patient may be a determining factor.
- The components of contraceptives can cause cancer. There is no evidence to support this; on the contrary, certain contraceptives help prevent cervical cancer, prolonging the reproductive health of the organ. ² ⁴
- Vasectomy and tubal ligation are irreversible. For both men and women who decide to have children after surgical contraception, vasectomy reversals and tubal reconnections have been successful. To determine viability, it’s necessary to consult a reproductive medicine specialist. ⁴
- Contraceptives are incompatible with other medications. In some fertility treatments, other medications may be prescribed, but contraceptives rarely have adverse reactions. It’s recommended to consult a reproductive health expert before discontinuing their use. ⁵
- Contraceptives like injections and pills reduce women’s libido. This is false. Studies show women remain interested in having sexual relations when the goal is to conceive. ⁵
Now, let’s talk about the realities proven regarding stopping contraceptives:
- Contraceptives are recommended for teenagers. To prevent teenage pregnancies, there are certain contraceptives that protect this population without affecting their future reproductive health.
- If you’ve already had a baby, don’t worry about breastfeeding. The effect of the contraceptive will likely have ended, and it will not affect your baby. ² ³ ⁵
- Contraceptives do not cause postpartum depression. Mental health studies have not shown definitive data indicating an increase in mental disorders due to contraceptive use. Medical follow-up is recommended, as each woman may experience different symptoms unrelated to contraceptive methods.
- You can get pregnant after the first period following the discontinuation of contraceptives. In most cases, it is possible to conceive after discontinuation, as most contraceptives only work during their use. ⁶
- Removing the IUD is not painful. It has been confirmed that the pain scale, both in women who haven’t had children and those who have, is very low when removing the IUD. This procedure must be performed by a certified medical professional to avoid complications. ³ ⁶
- When used responsibly, contraceptives do not cause sexual health problems. Family planning poses no risk and, on the contrary, helps women and gestational individuals make better decisions about when to conceive while maintaining sexual health. ⁷
- Contraceptives DO NOT cause infertility. Only a small percentage of people have reported infections or discomfort from contraceptive use, which were related to sexual activity. Fertility was restored immediately after discontinuing contraceptives.
The aim of this blog is to help you make a better decision. If you are a young woman who still wishes to wait before starting a family, UR-Crea can offer you a plan to preserve your fertility, so you can have the family you desire at the best moment in your life. ⁸
What is UR Crea, and how can we help you if you have infertility problems?
At UR Crea Reproductive Medicine, we have over 30 years of experience. We offer various treatments such as in vitro fertilization, ovarian rejuvenation, egg donation, and the ROPA method, among others. For this reason, we perform a diagnostic protocol that is key to helping you.
Our network consists of a team of specialists in obstetrics-gynecology, reproductive biology, embryology, perinatology, anesthesiology, and nursing staff, all trained to care for our patients.
We nurture the dreams of those who yearn to be mothers and fathers. That’s why we provide a trusting environment based on the ethics and professionalism of our team, who offer personal and humane care. Schedule a consultation with our specialists and get to know us!
We hope this blog has answered your questions and that you feel confident planning your pregnancy when the time comes. It’s always necessary to consult a professional.
References:
- Blog Mapfre. 10 false myths about contraceptives. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://www.salud.mapfre.es/salud-familiar/mujer/reportajes-mujer/10-falsos-mitos-de-los-anticonceptivos/#Mito_7_La_semana_de_descanso_no_estas_protegida
- Kaiser Permanente. Myths about contraceptives. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://espanol.kaiserpermanente.org/es/health-wellness/birth-control/myths
- San Vicente Fundación. Contraception myths and realities. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://www.sanvicentefundacion.com/blog/salud/anticoncepcion-mitos-y-realidades
- Oriéntame para decidir.com. Contraceptive myths and realities. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://orientame.org.co/anticonceptivos-mitos-y-verdades/
- Clue Plus. When to stop taking hormonal contraceptives to get pregnant. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://helloclue.com/es/articulos/sexo/cuando-dejar-de-tomar-anticonceptivos-hormonales-para-poder-embarazarse
- Hello Clue. How different types of hormonal contraceptives affect your mental health. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://helloclue.com/es/articulos/hormonal-birth-control/como-los-diferentes-tipos-de-metodos-anticonceptivos-hormonales-afectan-tu-salud-mental#:~:text=Trastornos%20en%20el%20estado%20de%20%C3%A1nimo%20durante%20el%20posparto&text=El%20amamantamiento%20puede%20afectar%20el,el%20uso%20de%20un%20anticonceptivo
- Con la mujer.com. Contraceptive myths. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://www.conlamujer.com/blog/mitos-anticoncepcion
- UR-Crea. Web page. Fertility preservation. [Internet]. Consulted in August 2024. Available at: https://ur-crea.mx/tratamiento/preservacion-de-la-fertilidad/
