On this page 4 sections
Quick answer
Fertility returns quickly after stopping most contraception. With the pill, patch, ring, implant and coils, you can get pregnant straight away, though periods may take a few months to settle. The contraceptive injection is the exception: it can take up to a year for fertility to return (NHS).
- Coils and implant: fertility returns straight away after removal.
- Pills about a month; patch and ring around 1–3 months.
- The injection can take up to a year.
- See a GP if periods don’t return when expected.
A really common worry: “Has years on the pill hurt my fertility?” The reassuring answer from the NHS is that for most methods, your fertility returns to what it was before pretty quickly.
How soon can I get pregnant after stopping contraception?
- Copper coil (IUD) and hormonal coil (IUS): fertility returns to previous levels straight away after removal
- Implant: straight away after removal
- Combined pill: usually about a month
- Progestogen-only pill: usually about a month
- Patch and ring: usually around 1 to 3 months
- Injection: can take up to 1 year
What are periods like after stopping the pill?
Bleeds on the pill, patch or ring are withdrawal bleeds, not true periods. Once you stop, it can take a little while to see what your natural cycle looks like. Tracking from day one helps you learn your pattern fast.
MythYou need to wait a few months after the pill before trying.
There’s no need to wait for medical reasons. Some people use condoms for a cycle or two just to make dating a pregnancy easier – that’s a personal choice.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.