Do birth control pills affect your ability to be pregnant later on?

I took a womens studies class in University, and we went through that, and there actually is a chance of delay of fertility after taking the pill.

More with an IUD or depo shots (5 yrs!).

However, the number of women who experienced the delay wasn't high enough to consider it a real 'risk'. And the number of women who needed a form of birth control was so high that all risks associated with it were kind of swept under the rug.

If you get pregnant ON the pill, there's a risk of birth defects.

Smoke on the pill, risk of stroke

I had been on the pill for 18 years before getting married and trying to conceive. It took us 8 months of trying (lots and lots of trying!) before I got pregnant. My cycle was all out of whack when I 1st came off the pill and took about 4 months to straighten out. I was also 38 when we started, and I know age was a factor too. About 9 months after our son was born I went back on the pill. We then decided to have a 2nd child so I stopped taking the pill again and conceived immediately (I think literally!!!). My story is an example that it is not a problem to be on the pill long term and still conceive, but every woman is different. It's always nice to hear stories from others with similar experiences but there can always be underlying issues that could prevent or hinder your ability to conceive or you could get pregnant right away. You should speak with your OB/GYN just to get a medical opinion as well.

the pill and depo shot work very differently...your doctor would be the best to answer this. I opted for the pill as I have heard some not so great things about the depo shot...a friend of mine had an unplanned pregnancy (sadly it ended in a miscarriage at 7 weeks) after this she got the depo shot. she had it for 2 years...then she decided to start a family it has been 4 years since and she has not been able to conceive. Doctors tell her both her and husband are fine and this is a side effect from the shot..it just has to come out of her system. I was on the pill for 6+ years...they usually tell you that it take 3 nmonths to come off it once you stop...my doctor told me that i should count 3 months for every year i was on it. 1 1/2 year after being off the pill i got pregnant. my answer to you is everyones body is different...the pill has been around for many years although they do not know all the side effects of it they know more than the depo shot. your choice though. there have been no proven studies that taking contraception affects your reproductive systems though good luck

Depends on the person but when you go off birth control (no matter which one) that you've been on for a while it takes you body some time to get back to normal. Then again, there are girls that can pregnant right away. I havent heard of anyone becoming completely infertile due to taking any form of birth control.

No. Once you stop them you should be able to get pregnant, provided that you don't have any other issues keeping you from getting pregnant. I was on the pill for about 13 years and once I got off it, I got pregnant rather quickly. Doctors will sometimes suggest that you stay off the pill for a couple of months prior to getting pregnant.

Everyone is different! Some people get pregnant as soon as they are off the pill, others take longer. Myself I was off the pill for a month before I became pregnant

I was on the pill for 10 years before I went off to try for a child. It took 3 months for me to get pregnant.

No problems here...but that's a good question to ask your doctor.

No, not at all! I was actually on 'the pill' for many years (in my 'teen years') and got pregnant (while I was still taking them - I know :/) Anyhow, my husband and I have 3 little ones now. Needless to say - I got off the pill =)

well i have been taking birth control pills for 5 yrs now and about a year ago i quit because i wanted to conceive but as soon as i stopped taking them i got a yeast infection and continued to get them until i started taking the pills again. i hate yeast infections so, it was better for me just to get back on the pills

No. The pill just contains hormones. Discontinuing them will bring back the natural levels over a period of 1 or 2 cycles...