Birth Control and Fertility

Key Takeaways

• Different birth control methods do have side effects on users including menstrual irregularities or delayed menstrual cycles. 
• Many women choose birth control from a referral from family and friends or which one has the least side effects. 
• Birth control does effectively prevent pregnancy, but each method depends on the one using it. 
• Natural birth control methods don’t effectively prevent pregnancy but have no side effects on the user. 

How Does Birth Control Work?

Though there are several types of birth control, all work with the same purpose- to prevent conception and subsequent pregnancy from happening. Contraceptives are used to prevent the release of an egg, slow its progress, thicken the mucus of the cervix, or thin the uterus lining.

They work by mimicking the functions of naturally occurring hormones progesterone and estrogen. Depending on the make, they can be estrogen-based, progesterone-based, or a combination of both. The thickening of the mucus hinders the entrance of the sperm while the thinning of the lining of the uterus can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.

There are different types of birth control options, each with its advantages and side effects. 

Natural Birth Control

Now more than ever, people are opting for natural birth control methods. This could be for a variety of reasons including religion, fear of the negative side effects, or even medical reasons. Different methods can fall into this category.

Withdrawal method

Also known as the pull-out method, this method relies on the male partner pulling out of the vagina before they ejaculate. Not only does it require a lot of self-control, but also needs the male partner to know their body to know the exact moment to pull out. While this method has worked for many, it’s not foolproof and many have conceived using this method. 

Basal Body Temperature Method

This involves checking your basal body temperature every day using a thermometer. It requires you to know when you are most fertile and how much your temperature should be at this time. The drawback of this method is that higher temperatures (that occur when one is most fertile) can be a false reading caused when you are unwell.  

Standard Days Method (SDM)

This contraceptive method relies on tracking your fertile days. It strictly sets days 8 to 19 as the fertile days for everyone, no matter their menstrual cycle. This method may not work for those with an irregular cycle or a cycle shorter than 26 days. 

Cervical Mucus Method

This method depends on your understanding of the quantity, texture, and color of cervical mucus. This is because you must check it regularly to see if you’re fertile.

The Rhythm Method

This is another tracking method that can be difficult to understand. It relies on first tracking your period for at least 6-12 months so that you can know your most fertile days as well as your shortest and longest cycles and avoid sex during your fertile days.

Condoms

Condoms are one of the most popular birth control methods because they also protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs). A condom is a barrier method of birth control, preventing pregnancy by keeping semen (sperm-filled fluid) from entering the vagina. When used well, condoms are about 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, they can tear, leak, or slip off.

The Pill

The pill is another popular form of contraceptive. According to the CDC, 12.6 percent of women across all age ranges daily use oral contraceptives. There are two main types of birth control pills:

• Progestin-only pills: These pills have only progestin, which thickens your cervical mucus to prevent sperm from getting to your eggs. This pill must be taken daily. 
• Combination pills: These pills contain both estrogen and progestin and prevent ovulation. 

Birth control pills can come with negative side effects like:

• Nausea
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Low libido
• Irritability
• Tenderness or swelling in the breasts
• Spotting between periods

If you face any alarming side effects, talk with your healthcare provider, who will be able to let you know on a way forward. 

Vaginal Rings

These are ring-shaped devices placed inside a vagina to release hormones that prevent ovulation. The two main forms of vaginal rings are NuvaRings and Annovera rings. Annovera rings are more long-term, lasting about a year. They are worn for three weeks, removed during the period week, and reinserted after seven days. The NuvaRing is worn for a month and discarded during the user’s period. 

Negative side effects include:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Sore breasts
• Spotting between periods
• Vaginal discharge 

Implants

Implants are contraceptives placed below the skin on the user’s upper arm and slowly release progestin. They change hormone levels in the body and prevent ovulation and fertilization. They last around 3 years prevent ovulation and thicken the mucus in your cervix, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg if ovulation happens. 

Side effects from the implant can be:

• Bruising or swelling at the insertion site 
• Spotting
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Changes in the menstrual cycle
• Acne
• Sore breasts

Intrauterine Devices

Intrauterine devices, commonly known as IUDs, can be hormonal or copper based. They prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg and are a great long-term birth control option, lasting anywhere from three to 10 years.

You can remove your IUD at any time and get pregnant right away. Negative side effects can be:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Heavy bleeding when first inserted
• Severe cramps
• Spotting between periods

Injections

These are progestin-based contraceptives taken in three-month cycles. As already mentioned, progestin stops ovulation and discourages the fertilization of eggs. The injection is the least reversible form of contraceptives. This is because you must wait until the injection hormones leave your body before you get pregnant. 

Common side effects include:

• Changes in your periods, including a complete stop in periods
• Weight gain
• Hot flushes
• Acne
• Mood changes
• Bruising or swelling at the injection site 
• Lower sex drive
• Headaches

Can Birth Control Make You Infertile?

There are no studies that show a correlation between birth control and infertility. Various studies like the meta-analysis on the return of fertility after birth control on 14,884 women show that many women who stopped contraceptive use became pregnant within 12 months after they stopped their contraceptive of choice. 

A delay in conception doesn’t necessarily mean infertility. In many cases (like in women who previously used injections) it could be your body returning back to its normal rhythm. For those struggling with infertility after contraceptives, healthcare professionals like Ivy Fertility can help you uncover any underlying issues. 

In Conclusion

Birth control, though effective in pregnancy prevention, has been marred by negative side effects that sometimes cause delays in the menstrual cycle. Because of this, many women have concluded that the long-term effects of birth control can be infertility. 

This has increased the fear of birth control in many women, who may not be aware that birth control can mask underlying conditions, which are revealed when birth control is stopped. For this reason, women are advised to talk to a healthcare professional who is better placed to advise them on the best birth control method.