How long after being off birth control can I get pregnant?

Many women choose, after a period of using birth control, to become pregnant. As each woman's body is different, so will the time it takes to become pregnant be different. In part, the time it will take to become pregnant after being off birth control depends on the birth control method practiced.

If a woman is using condoms (male or female), spermicides, diaphragms, or any other "barrier" type of birth control, pregnancy can occur immediately during the next ovulation after stopping birth control.

If you have used Birth control pills, you can get pregnant immediately during the next ovulation after stopping birth control. Roughly 50% of women who intend to get pregnant after stopping the pill will become pregnant within the next three cycles.

If you have had the birth control shot, known as Depo-Provera or a "depo shot," you can become pregnant in as little as three months after your shot. For many women who have had the depo shot, it can take as long as 18 months to become pregnant.

Norplant is designed to last as birth control for as long as 5 years. Should you wish to become pregnant after using Norplant, you will need to either wait it out or have it surgically removed. After having Norplant removed, it may be possible to become pregnant in as little as 2-3 months.

Obviously, if you have chose a surgical method of birth control, such as a vasectomy or a tubal ligation, that procedure would have to be reversed. It is much easier, in general, to reverse a vasectomy; Rates of success for the reversal of a tubal ligation are not particularly high.

Other factors might affect the speed at which you are able to become pregnant after stopping birth control, including age and other fertility issues. If you have stopped birth control but have not been able to become pregnant, your health care provider may be able to help determine whether or not you have a fertility concern, and should be able to either help you treat it or refer you to a health care provider who can.