How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After Depo

How Soon Can You Get Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control

Youve taken steps in your family planning, and now youre ready for a baby. How long after stopping birth control are you fertile again? Well, it depends on the contraceptive. Dr. Kirtly Jones discusses how long it typically takes to conceive after ending common contraception methods and when to involve a specialist if youre having trouble getting pregnant.

You have done all the right things in planning your family and now you’re ready to have a baby. How long after stopping birth control before you try to get pregnant? How long does it take to be fertile again? And how long is too long?

Start from the top. How do you stop your method of contraception? Well, that seems like an easy question, but sometimes it isn’t. You can stop using your condom or diaphragm or contraceptive foam right now and you can take off your patch, take out your ring or stop your pills today.

Taking out your implant or your IUD takes a medical appointment with your clinician or your family planning clinic. Really now, we don’t recommend that you or a friend try to take out these medical devices on your own, so getting an appointment may take a few weeks.

If you’re on birth control pills or patches or rings, the hormones in these methods are gone from your body within a week. And in the case of the progestin-only mini-pill, it may just be a couple of days then your body will get back to ovulating, so it may be a month or two before you ovulate.

What Depo Does To Your Endometrium

One of the documented effects of Depo-Provera is its impact on the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium.

In a natural cycle, hormonal changes that prepare for and trigger ovulation also lead to the thickening of the endometrium. In case a child is conceived during that cycle, the embryo would implant within this rich and nutritive lining, and continue being able to grow. In the absence of conception, the thicker lining that was hence built, now useless, is sloughed off. This results in a normal menstrual period.

In Depo-Proveras documented mechanism of action, we read that progestins such as medroxyprogesterone, the principal artificial hormone contained within the shot, lead to atrophy of the endometrial tissue. They may also suppress new growth and implantation. In other words, the endometrium doesnt grow as it would in a normal, natural cycle, unimpeded by Depo. Instead, it becomes thin and atrophic.

This mechanism explains one of the ways in which Depo acts as a contraceptive, and why a womans period will be suppressed when shes on Depo. In fact, the product label for this drug reports that As women continue using Depo-Provera CI. in clinical studies of Depo-Provera CI, by month 12, amenorrhea was reported by 55% of women, and by month 24, amenorrhea was reported by 68% of women using Depo-Provera CI. As you can see from these statistics, the large majority of women on Depo simply do not have periods.

Test Positive On An Ovulation Predictor Test

These are ovulation test kits you can buy in any pharmacy or online. They work a lot like a pregnancy test, in that you use your urine to test your hormones. While pregnancy tests look for hCG, an ovulation predictor test looks for the hormone luteinizing hormone . LH spikes just before you ovulate.

Also Check: How To Not Get Pregnant After Condom Breaks

The Depo Detox Diet To Get Pregnant

Some women, after stopping the Depo shot, turn to a detox diet to help their bodies get rid of the synthetic progesterone lingering in their bodies.

The detox diet helps to flush the synthetic progesterone from the liver and may help with becoming pregnant.

The herbs on this list, particularly dandelion root and milk thistle, encourage detoxification, according to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

A detox diet may include the following:

Again, be sure to consult your doctor before going on any kind of detox diet.

Note: If you are considering one of these detox diets, first consult your doctor. Some of the herbs may not be suitable for you or may be dangerous for an underlying condition you may have. You also should wait a few weeks to allow your body to rid itself of the hormone and to heal.

Delayed Return To Ovulation

Hormonal birth control methods, such as pills, implants, intrauterine devices , and injections, work to prevent pregnancy in several ways. One of the ways they work is by making ovulation less likely. Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries.

When a person is not using hormonal contraception, ovulation typically happens once per menstrual cycle. If a sperm does not fertilize the egg, shifts in hormone levels trigger a period.

Because people using hormonal birth control typically do not ovulate, it may take time for regular ovulation to return. Until this happens, a person may have no periods at all.

Recommended Reading: When Will I Get Pregnant According To My Birth Date

Tips For Getting Pregnant After Depo Shots

To accelerate the process and increase your chances of getting pregnant after stopping the shots, you can take a few extra steps.

1. Know When Youre Ovulating

If you make note of your periods, youll get a better grasp on when to expect it and therefore when you might be ovulating.

Ovulation calendars and apps are incredibly helpful in this respect, as are ovulation tests.

Make sure you really understand ovulation and dont fall for the many ovulation myths floating around.

The Ava Fertility tracker shown in the image below is one of the most reliable ways to scientifically determine when youre ovulating. Since ovulation will usually be irregular after stopping Depo shots, its an easy way to discover when you are.

2. Have More Sex

Its an obvious one but increasing your sexual activity will undoubtedly enhance your chances of getting pregnant.

Every day is good if youre up to it, but especially for the days between when your period ends and ovulation begins.

These are usually days 5-14 of your cycle.

3. Try a Progesterone Detox Diet

Some women begin a progesterone detox diet thought to eliminate lingering progesterone in their bodies.

The diet can include water, fruits, vegetables, herbal tea, and turmeric.

Although Depo Provera shots are intended for women who do not want to get pregnant againat least, not anytime soonit is more than possible to achieve a pregnancy in the months following the stopping of the shots.

When To Stop Depo

If you’re hoping to get pregnant in the near future, you should stop taking Depo-Provera right away. It usually takes several months to conceive after the injectionsbut for some people, regular ovulation might not return for 18 months , according to the manufacturer’s website. If you still need to use birth control in the meantime, consider reversible forms of contraception such as an intrauterine device or condoms until you’re officially ready to start trying.

You May Like: Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant If Everything Is Normal

Getting Pregnant After Coming Off The Depo Shot

So youre coming off the depo shot and now want to get pregnant. How long does it take to get pregnant after depo? And is there anything you can do to speed it up? Dr. Mare explains wait time expectations and more in this article.

By Dr. Mare Mbaye

Getting pregnant after any type of hormonal birth control is a topic that comes up often in the office. There are so many misconceptions about how birth control can affect fertility and whether or not it needs to be cleansed out of the body . I get questions about thedepo-provera shotspecifically, though, because as a longer-acting medication, timing matters a little more when it comes to pregnancy.

At A Glance: The Contraceptive Injection

• If used correctly, the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective.
• It lasts for 8 or 13 weeks so you do not have to think about contraception every day or every time you have sex during this period.
• It’s very useful for women who find it difficult to remember to take a pill at the same time every day.
• It does require you to remember to have a repeat injection before it expires or becomes ineffective.
• It can be useful for women who cannot use contraception that contains oestrogen.
• It’s not affected by other medicines.
• Side effects can include weight gain, headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and irregular bleeding.
• Your periods may become more irregular, heavier, shorter, lighter or stop altogether.
• It can take up to 1 year for your fertility to return to normal after the injection wears off, so it may not be suitable if you want to have a baby in the near future.
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections , so you may need to use condoms as well.

You May Like: What To Use For Back Pain During Pregnancy

Heres How To Get Your Period Back After Going Off Birth Control

Stocksy

Oral birth control prescriptions are handed out to teenagagers and young adults for a variety of reasons, from hormonal acne and painful periods to preventing pregnancy. Years pass and these same individuals start thinking about having kids, or maybe just want to know how their bodies will feel without the constant influx of synthetic hormones. They stop taking the pill and are surprised to find that their period doesnt come back right away, sometimes for months.

This isnt everyones story, of course. Some bounce right back and begin ovulating again immediately, or within a few months. But as more and more individuals who have been on the pill for upwards of 10 years start to come off of it, theyre caught off guard by what is technically called secondary amenorrhea, or not getting a period for three months or more after having had one previously.

Because secondary amenorrhea is such a common problem, theres quite a bit of advice floating around social media on getting your period back, particularly among wellness influencers. Supplements seem to work for some, while others end up seeking the help of doctors to trigger a period for them.

If this is something youre struggling with, a conversation with your doctor is always a good first step. Below, find some other actionable things you can do.

Read Also: Can Pregnant Ladies Drink Protein Shakes

Detecting Ovulation Using A Basal Body Temperature Chart

Your basal body temperature is the one when your body is at complete rest. This changes when you are ovulating. You can track this at home with a thermometer and a BBT chart. When you ovulate, your BBT will spike and remain high until your period starts. Then, it will decrease and stay the same until you ovulate again. By measuring and tracking your BBT for a few cycles, you can accurately predict when you are going to ovulate.

Recommended Reading: How Soon Can You Get Pregnant After The Nexplanon Removal

Interpreting Forum Posts About Depo

The most important thing to know is that Depo-Provera is not known to increase your risk of infertility after that those 12 to 22 months. In other words, Depo-Provera use is not associated with an increased risk of infertility in general.

Ovulation take a while to return due to your body not yet metabolizing the medication completely. Not because Depo-Provera has somehow caused a long-term infertility problem.

With that said, in just about every thread about Depo-Provera on infertility forums, youll find women saying their fertility never returned, even after 2 years. Sometimes, they will assume that this was caused by the shot. This isnt backed up by the research.

Remember that infertility occurs in 1 in 8 couples. This includes couples who choose to use Depo-Provera. There will be women who cant conceive after Depo, even two years after Depo, but this isnt due to the birth control shot. They would have struggled to conceive without Depo-Provera as well.

How You Can Get Pregnant After Stopping Depo Provera Shots

If you would like to get pregnant after taking the Depo shot, here are some things you can do:

• Begin to track your ovulation with an ovulation kit, especially if your periods are not occurring once a month.
• Track your periods and make a note when they become regular.
• Have intercourse every other day from the time you stop your period until your next period, especially around ovulation.
• Take prenatal vitamins to give your body what it needs to support a pregnancy.
• If you dont get pregnant after a year of actively trying and you are under 35, visit your Ob/Gyn. If you are over 35, visit your Ob/Gyn after six months of actively trying to conceive.

Above all, be patient. It may take a while to become pregnant after stopping the shots.

Your chance of getting pregnant while using Depo Provera is 0.3%, which means that three women out of a thousand get pregnant while using it.

You May Like: What Can I Take To Help Get Pregnant Faster

Where You Can Get It

You can get the contraceptive injection for free, even if you’re under 16, from:

• contraception clinics
• sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics

Find a sexual health clinic.

Sayana Press is a new form of Depo-Provera and is available in some clinics.

It’s very similar to Depo-Provera in the way it works and the effects it can have on your body.

But you’ll be taught how to give yourself the injection, rather than having a doctor or nurse give it to you.

Does Your Sex Position Matter

Is missionary better than doggy style? Do you need to stand on your head afterward? Rest easy, there is no need to revert to vanilla sex or ramp up to acrobatic feats. In fact, doctors advise couples to do whatever feels good.

Theres no one position that is particularly more effective than another. Once the deed is done, be sure to rest on your backit makes it easier for the sperm to swim upstream. If you want to give the little swimmers even more encouragement, place a pillow under your hips. Sticking your legs in the air, however, wont make any difference. . Just lie back and enjoy the moment, and avoid getting up and going to the washroom for 10 to 15 minutes.

Also Check: What Is The Depression After Pregnancy

Recommended Reading: How Much For Dna Test While Pregnant

Regular Menstrual Cycle Returns

Having a regular menstrual cycle is the most obvious sign that ovulation has started. Your menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. Your cycles are considered regular or normal when they meet the following conditions:

• Duration: Your periods last 8 days or fewer
• Flow volume: You lose between 2 to 3 tablespoons of menstrual fluid during each period. Just spotting could be a sign that you’re not ovulating.
• Frequency: Your periods typically come every 24 to 38 days . This means that from the first day of your last period up to the start of your next period is at least 24 days but no more than 38 days.
• Regularity: Your cycles are consistent from month to month. For example, your cycle is 27 days long one month, and 29 the next. Cycles that vary in length by more than 7 to 9 days are considered irregular.

Irregular cycles are a possible sign of ovulation problems.Irregular cycles are normal when you’re getting injections and just after you stop the shot.

How Long Should I Use Depo

This form of birth control is for those who wish not to get pregnant at all or who wish not to get pregnant for a long while after giving birth.

The recommended use for this shot is no more than two years, unless no other form of birth control works or is acceptable, due to the fact that it may cause bones to weaken from calcium loss.

Read Also: What Sleeping Pills Are Safe For Pregnancy

How Can You Tell If Youre Ovulating

The surest way to know is to take an ovulation test. They test your pee for levels of luteinizing hormone , which rise 24 to 36 hours before you ovulate.

Your body may also show signs that youâre ovulating or that you will soon. For example, your body temperature rises slightly around the time of ovulation. And mucus that comes from your cervix may become stickier or feel more like raw egg whites.

Coming Off Depo The Depo Shot Unique Experience For Everyone

Why do some women take longer than others to return to normal fertility? We dont know for sure. There are likely many factors that contribute to each womans response to a depo provera contraceptive injection, making it hard to pinpoint one specific issue. Just like anything else in life, every patient has a unique experience

One important factor to consider, though, is weight. The FDA includes on the depo label that women of a healthy weight tend to return to normal fertility faster than those who are overweight and obese. This has to do with absorption of progesterone which differs based on each persons metabolism. With the newer, subcutaneous version of depo , the delay in ovulation appears to be substantially decreased, with one study showing return to ovulation for 97% of women who received subcutaneous depo.

You May Like: How To Get Pregnant At 46 Years Old

It May Take Up To 10 Months After Stopping The Birth Control Shot To Get Pregnant

It only takes 15 weeks after your last shot for pregnancy protection to wear off. How soon you get pregnant after stopping the depo shot is different for everyone. For some people it can take up to 10 months for their ability to get pregnant to return to normal and for others it can happen much sooner.

Your first period after stopping the depo provera shot can take several months to return. It can also take time for your period to go back to the way it was before you started using the shot. Everyones body is different, and reacts to going off the shot differently, so theres no way to know when you will get your period back after your last depo shot. Its possible to get pregnant before your period returns, so use another method of birth control if you dont want to get pregnant after stopping the depo shot.