How Soon Can You Get Pregnant After IUD Removal?

Many women, who are not looking to get pregnant (but have a healthy sexual life), resort to different birth control measures, ranging from pills to hormonal contraceptives like an IUD to prevent pregnancy. But with time, they may want to have babies as they might feel that they are ready for the new responsibility. If your choice of protection was an IUD and now you feel that you are ready for a baby, obviously, you will have to get the IUD removed. But can you get pregnant once the IUD is removed? If yes, then how long will it take for you to conceive? Worry not, we have answers to all your questions.

What Are the Chances of Getting Pregnant After IUD Removal?

Discontinuing the use of contraceptives affects a woman’s hormones, menstrual cycle, and her fertility. But a woman’s fertility also depends on the form of contraception that she uses. Intrauterine devices or IUDs are the least disruptive forms of contraceptives.

The use of IUD has little to no effect on the fertility of a woman. It also doesn’t affect the menstrual cycles of a woman much. If you get your IUD removed, your normal menstrual cycle should return in a short time. And once removed, it should not take you too long to conceive.

The use of copper IUDs or hormonal IUDs also doesn’t affect pregnancy rates. The cause of infertility due to the use of IUD is scarring in the fallopian tubes following Chlamydia infections and not the IUD itself. Hence, the chances of getting pregnant after the use of the IUD remains the same as before its use.

When to Remove an IUD If Trying to Conceive?

Thinking how quickly can you get pregnant after IUD removal? Using any birth control method takes a certain amount of time for a woman’s full fertility to return after they stop using that method. It is more difficult to get pregnant after using any form of birth control method because the ability to get pregnant gradually decreases with age. So, when you wish to stop with a certain birth control method, you are older than when you first started using that method.

In the case of IUDs, both the copper IUD and hormonal IUD, a woman’s fertility usually returns with the first menstrual cycle following IUD removal. So, plan the removal of the IUD accordingly, and you can start trying to have a baby as soon as you like after the IUD removal.

How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant After IUD Removal?

Many women ask if they can get pregnant immediately after the IUD is removed. Well, the simple answer is ‘yes’. It is possible to get pregnant soon after the IUD is removed, especially if a woman uses the non-hormonal type of IUD, which does not affect fertility. This type of IUD prevents conception without affecting a woman’s fertility and is very similar to a condom. Find out how long it takes to get pregnant after the removal of a copper IUD and hormonal IUD.

1. After the Removal of Copper IUD

After the removal of a copper IUD, the body does not need any time to restore its ‘normal’ cycle, hence a woman can get pregnant soon. As long as a copper IUD is being used, it will prevent pregnancy and as soon as it is taken out, fertility is restored and pregnancy can occur in the subsequent months.

2. After the Removal of Hormonal IUD

The same goes for using a hormonal IUD. It is possible to get pregnant in the first cycle without the IUD, as the hormones used to prevent pregnancy are removed along with the IUD.

Process of Removing an IUD

If you wish to get your IUD removed, the process is quite simple. You need to book an appointment with your doctor. They may ask you to take a pain medicine 30-50 minutes before your visit time, which will help you with cramps during the IUD removal process.

To remove the IUD, the doctor will gently put a tool called a speculum into your vagina to open it a bit. You may feel some pressure but don’t panic. The doctor will then look for the IUD strings that usually come through the cervix and will use a tool to hold the strings and gently pull on them. The arms of the IUD will fold up as it slides through the cervix and out the vagina. You might feel some cramping during the removal process.

If the doctor doesn’t see the strings, they may use other tools and an ultrasound to remove IUD.

Causes of Difficulty in Getting Pregnant After Removal of IUD

If you are unable to conceive even after six months of IUD removal, you must consult your doctor. A common cause of difficulty in getting pregnant after IUD removal can be failing to maintain good hygiene. Women with an IUD are more susceptible to infection than those without. Not maintaining hygiene can cause bacteria to go up and cause a deep infection, making it difficult to get pregnant. Therefore, if you are trying to get pregnant, you must take an effective antibiotic (doctor-recommended) to control the infection before thinking about getting pregnant.

Another reason could be the use of contraceptives after the removal of the IUD. Usually, the drug has a very high hormonal content and should only be used in emergencies. It suppresses the ovaries, making it difficult for the ovaries to ovulate when you wish to get pregnant, making it difficult to conceive after the removal of the IUD.

Are There Any Risk and Complications in Pregnancy After IUD Removal?

All forms of birth control come with some or other risk, which raises the question of higher risk and complication in pregnancy after IUD removal.

Many couples do not want to go with the IUD because they believe that the IUD will cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage when they plan to have a baby. But, according to research, there’s no increased risk of infertility or ectopic pregnancy after removing the IUD.

But in case a woman develops pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and it is not treated, there are chances that she will become infertile. This is because PID can permanently damage the fallopian tubes’ lining and partially or totally block one or both tubes enough to cause infertility.

Ways to Enhance Your Fertility After IUD Removal

Almost all women can have successful pregnancies from three months to within a year of removing the IUD. But it is always good to help the body transition off the IUDs. There are certain ways to enhance your fertility levels. If you’re trying to conceive after IUD removal, here’s what you can try:

1. Get a Fertility Cleanse

Getting fertility cleanse will prove to be a great way to normalize your body after an IUD removal as the IUD affects the cervical mucus and uterine environment. A fertility cleanse helps remove toxins from your body to improve the overall health. But it primarily helps clean the liver, fertility, and the uterus, which thus makes the body ready for conception.

2. Chart Your Menstrual Cycle

Doctors recommend waiting for 1 or 2 cycles after IUD removal before trying to conceive, as it makes it easier to find the exact date of the pregnancy. Having a regular cycle and determining your fertility window will improve your chances of conception, hence it’s important that you track your periods.

3. Follow a Healthy Diet and Maintain Hygiene

If you’re looking to conceive after IUD removal, try to follow a nutritious diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle. And maintain hygiene, it is important too!

FAQs

1. How Do I Prepare for IUD Removal?

You don’t need to do anything, in particular, to prepare for IUD removal. The process of IUD removal is less painful than the process of putting it in.

2. How Long Does It Take to Remove an IUD and How Will I Feel While It Is Being Removed?

The process of IUD removal doesn’t take much time – your doctor will be able to pull it out in minutes. However, it may take longer if your doctor has trouble getting it out. And you might experience some mild cramps while your doctor removes it.

3. Do You Get More Fertile After IUD Removal?

You’ll be happy that your fertility returns to normal right after IUD removal. So, you can get pregnant right away after your IUD is out.

4. Are Miscarriages Common After IUD Removal?

No. IUDs do not cause miscarriages after they have been removed. The use of an IUD will not cause any difficulty in future pregnancies if the correct IUD insertion and removal techniques are used.

Getting pregnant after an IUD removal is possible and it won’t affect your fertility. And, you can always try the above ways to enhance your fertility.

References/Resources:

1. Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control; Kaiser Permanente; https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=te8132

2. Intrauterine Device (IUD) Removal; Healthwise Article; https://www.cham.org/HealthwiseArticle.aspx?id=abp4777

3. HAVING YOUR IUD REMOVED; Family Planning; https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/advice/contraception/having-your-iud-removed

4. What are the side effects of IUDs?; Planned Parenthood; https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/iud/iud-side-effects

5. Myths and facts about the intra-uterine device (IUD); International Planned Parenthood Federation; https://www.ippf.org/blogs/myths-and-facts-about-intra-uterine-devices

Also Read: How to Get Pregnant Fast with Irregular Periods