Women looking to get pregnant after taking birth control pills often wonder how long it will take. Although most women get pregnant within six months after stopping the pill, the answer depends on several factors including age, weight, overall health, and length of time on the pill. Pregnancy rates tend to decline in women after the age of 35. Age could also play a factor in women who start taking the pill at an earlier age. According to a 2013 Danish study, women who were younger than 21 when they started using birth control pills experienced a longer delay in getting pregnant possibly due to increased menstrual irregularities. After taking the pill, it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle including taking prenatal vitamins, reducing stress, as well as refraining from alcohol and smoking. Even though the pill may delay time to conception, it is possible for a woman to conceive immediately after stopping the pill.
While you’re waiting to get pregnant after stopping the pill, it can be helpful to talk to your doctor about concerns regarding what’s normal and what’s not. Austin female fertility specialist Dr. Shahryar Kavoussi states, “You should also consult a fertility specialist if you don’t get your period within 3 months, have irregular cycles, are over 35 and have been trying for 6 months, or younger than 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 months.”
