How long does it take to get pregnant after IUD removal?
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Created with Carolyn Kay, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, USA
There are two main types of IUDs: hormonal (levonorgestrel) and copper. They function differently in how they prevent pregnancy. Usually, as soon as you remove the IUD, you can get pregnant within one month or even earlier. However, as every body is different, the timeline to get pregnant can vary. It depends on factors like age, fertility, and the overall health of both partners.
An IUD is commonly considered the most effective, safe, and reversible method to prevent conception or pregnancy when you are not ready for a baby, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
But, when you do feel ready and want to start trying to conceive, the big question that may arise in your mind is, “How long does it take to get pregnant after IUD removal?”
The good news is that conception is entirely possible after IUD removal and doesn’t involve any specific hurdle.
If you want to get pregnant and are planning for IUD removal, or have removed your IUD already and want to know how soon you might conceive, we’ve got you covered.
How soon can you get pregnant after IUD removal?
An intrauterine device (IUD) doesn’t reliably inhibit ovulation, though it can occur, especially in the first year of use. It simply creates a difficult environment for the sperm to reach your uterus or egg for implantation or thinning of the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
An IUD is somewhat like a barrier that doesn’t allow a car to enter or pass through a road. But, when the barrier is removed or lifted, the car doesn’t face any residual difficulty or require much time to pass.
This means that as soon as you remove your IUD, the barrier preventing sperm from reaching and implanting in the uterus is gone. So, you can get pregnant very soon after IUD removal.
According to the Buyer’s study, about 80% of women get pregnant within a year after IUD removal for the Mirena IUD.
However, as every body is different, the timeline to get pregnant can vary in each woman and may depend on other factors, like overall health and age.
In some people, it may take around one month for the menstrual cycle to return to normal after removing the IUD, mostly after using a hormonal IUD. So, the earliest you can expect pregnancy within a month of IUD removal or even earlier, depending on your body.
However, it may take some women’s bodies longer to readjust after IUD removal, similar to how some people recover more slowly from the side effects of medication than others. So, rest assured, whether you get pregnant very quickly after IUD removal or it takes a little longer, it’s totally normal.
According to the estimates of nearly 13 studies, the 12-month pregnancy rate after removing different types of intrauterine devices in females was 84.75%. In addition, the pregnancy occurred within a short period of removing the IUD.
With that said, it is a good practice to get your healthcare checkup done after IUD removal to confirm that no other factors are hindering your pregnancy.
Factors affecting fertility after IUD removal
Some factors may affect how fertile you are after IUD removal, including:
- Types of IUDs used
- Duration of using IUD
- Your overall reproductive health
- Your age
1. Types of IUD
There are two main types of IUDs:
- Hormonal IUD
- Copper IUD
Hormonal IUD
A hormonal IUD, sold under the brand names of Mirena, Skyla, and Kyleena is a small plastic device that is inserted through the vagina, passes the cervix, and reaches the uterus.
The device releases a hormone called progestogen into your uterus. This hormone thins the endometrial lining and also thickens the cervical mucus, making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg for implantation.
The hormonal IUDs has been shown to affect ovulation to some extent within the first year of placement, but thereafter, most cycles become ovulatory. One study indicated that the incidence of ovulatory cycles with Mirena and the copper IUD was similar at 85%.
After you remove the hormonal IUD, your body may take some time to resume fertility, as your uterus recovers from the hormonal effects of progestogen.
Some women may get pregnant immediately after hormonal IUD removal, while some may take time and conceive when their ovulation returns to normal and the hormonal effects subside.
Copper IUD
A copper or non-hormonal copper IUD, sold under the brand name of Paragard, is a small device that releases minimal amounts of copper into the uterus, interfering with sperm movement and preventing a successful implantation.
As copper creates a toxic environment for sperm, it prevents implantation. this type of IUD, there are no hormonal effects, so fertility may occur as soon as you remove the copper IUD or within a few weeks, and generally doesn’t require much time.
2. Duration of IUD use
Most studies show that the duration of IUD use doesn’t affect how quickly fertility returns. Hence, you can get pregnant immediately after removing the IUD, regardless of the duration of use.
That said, the timeline varies for each individual. Some can get pregnant immediately, while some may take up to a year, and both situations are normal.
3. Overall reproductive health
Your overall reproductive health has a significant impact on fertility after IUD removal.
If you have conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, these can make it harder to get pregnant. It’s important to understand that these conditions are not caused by the IUD or its removal. They affect your reproductive system on their own.
For example, with PCOS, the follicles containing the egg in your ovaries do not grow and mature; hence, they are unable to proceed to ovulation.
Endometriosis is another reproductive disease that causes the tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus to grow outside of the uterus.
While some women may conceive with endometriosis and PCOS, it is recommended to seek treatment for reproductive diseases to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and improve fertility outcomes after IUD removal.
4. Age
Age is another factor that may impact the time to conceive.
While studies indicate that there is no significant correlation between fertility and age of IUD removal, women older than 30 years may take slightly longer to conceive than younger women.
In other words, while getting pregnant may take longer as you get older, having an IUD is not known to compound this problem.
Why am I not getting pregnant after IUD removal?
Some reasons that can delay or interfere with conception after IUD removal include:
- Pre-existing reproductive diseases, like PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or irregular ovulation cycles.
- A fertility decline due to increased age, i.e., above 30-35 years.
- Stress and lifestyle factors, like obesity, excessive alcohol or tobacco use.
If you are concerned about being able to conceive, it’s always safe to consult your doctor a month or two after IUD removal just to ensure everything is normal. If you are healthy and not getting pregnant more than six months after IUD removal, check with them again to find out any underlying cause of delay.
Tips for getting pregnant after IUD removal
Here are some tips that may help enhance fertility and increase the chances of conception once your IUD is out:
Track ovulation
Your chances of conceiving are highest during ovulation, so being able to estimate when this time is can increase the likelihood of pregnancy. There are various kits, ovulation trackers, and apps, like the Femia app, that can help you track your ovulation.
You can track your ovulation by the following methods:
- The easiest way to track ovulation is using ovulation tracking apps like the Femia app. A chatbot feature will help you monitor your ovulation symptoms, record period days, and provide guidance from medical professionals.
- You can also use ovulation predictor kits, similar to at-home pregnancy devices. They use your urine to check for the hormone that stimulates ovulation.
Femia offers the most accurate tool for determining ovulation and fertile days
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Having a healthy lifestyle is mandatory to increase your chances of fertility after IUD removal.
It is recommended to avoid excessive alcohol consumption, limit or avoid smoking, and opt for regular, 60-minute weekly moderate-intensity physical activity, like light jogging or brisk walking.
Moreover, it is crucial to manage stress. You can minimize stress in various natural ways, like deep breathing, taking breaks, doing things that you enjoy, sharing your feelings with a trusted friend or relative, and getting enough sleep. If you find that managing stress is challenging, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for additional support.
Physical activity is the great way to manage stress as it releases endorphins (the happy hormone) in your body. You can also divert your mind by going outdoors to places you enjoy.
Remember, staying relaxed as you wait and maintaining a healthy diet are essential elements to enhance fertility.
Consult your healthcare provider
If you have any other concerns regarding your fertility after IUD removal, it is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and to check for any other underlying conditions that are delaying or preventing conception.
Questions from the Femia community
How long should I wait before trying to conceive after IUD removal?
Can the removal procedure itself affect my fertility?
However, if you face any complications while removing or after removing the IUD, like heavy or excessive bleeding, pain in the abdomen or uterus, or painful intercourse, it is important to consult your healthcare provider.
Can past IUD use increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy?
When reviewing the safety and effectiveness of IUCDs, it's found that hormonal IUCDs result in ectopic pregnancies in about 2 out of every 10,000 women per year, while copper IUCDs affect about 5 out of every 10,000 users annually. This translates to a very low percentage—0.02% and 0.05%, respectively. In comparison, the general incidence of ectopic pregnancy in the UK is approximately 1.25% (1 in 80 women).
While pregnancies with an IUCD in place are more likely to be ectopic, the overall likelihood of conception with an IUCD is significantly lower, thereby reducing the overall risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Is it normal to have irregular periods after IUD removal?
This is mainly because the hormones released in the hormonal IUD can make your uterus lining thinner, resulting in irregular periods or spotting, which may take a few months to normalize and build up.
When should I see a doctor if I’m not getting pregnant?
However, medical guidelines are changing, and doctors often step in sooner than before. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant or have concerns about your fertility, it’s wise to seek medical advice early.
Can the IUD affect my fertility long-term?
The bottom line
While it is sometimes possible to conceive immediately after IUD removal, the timeline depends on several other factors as well. How long it takes to conceive can vary depending on a woman’s body physiology and factors like overall health, type of IUD used, and age. With these considerations in mind, it is also normal for it to take six months to a year to conceive after IUD removal.
The best practice for a couple is to consult their healthcare provider after IUD removal to reassure their fertility health.
References
- “Contraception – Intrauterine Devices (IUD).” Better Health Channel, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/contraception-intrauterine-devices-iud.
Girum, Tadele, and Abebaw Wasie. “Return of Fertility After Discontinuation of Contraception: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Contraception and Reproductive Medicine, vol. 3, no. 1, July 2018, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-018-0064-y.
- “Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine Devices.” ACOG, www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2017/11/long-acting-reversible-contraception-implants-and-intrauterine-devices.
- “Return of Fertility in Various Types of IUD Users.” PubMed, 1 Apr. 1989, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2565315.
- Andolsek, Lidja, et al. “Time to Conception After IUD Removal: Importance of Duration of Use, IUD Type, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Age.” International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, vol. 24, no. 3, June 1986, pp. 217–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(86)90100-1.
- “Our Fertility Doctors | Tennessee Reproductive Medicine.” Tennessee Reproductive Medicine, 16 Mar. 2023, trmbaby.com/about-us/doctors/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyUmJve7X1EAVslAwQwzsJD7MfPPBRiJswD6bEVplIfrZeG842KvNuQaAs8DEALw_wcB.
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