Can Prolonged Use of Birth Control Cause Infertility?

The ideal situation for most people is that they have the chance to plan their families with due diligence, making sure that enough time is taken to set up safety nets wherever possible. This usually begins in the bedroom with the use of some kind of contraceptive. It is common knowledge that the use of birth control comes with the chance of experiencing several adverse side effects. However, there is recent speculation that prolonged birth control use can actually cause permanent infertility. So, are the rumors correct?

The Most Common Scenario

Usually, the use of birth control comes with some basic side-effects, and none of them includes infertility. The average person on birth control will most likely experience things like fatigue, acne, or breast tenderness before they would ever find themselves having an inability to conceive permanently. According to recent studies, women who take birth control for long periods of time may have to wait a while for the effects of the contraceptive to wear off, but they should be able to get pregnant eventually as long as they are healthy enough to do so.

Special Cases

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. The latest research makes some highly speculative links between prolonged use of birth control and infertility. It turns out that some women can still conceive while taking a contraceptive. This unplanned pregnancy can occur within the fallopian tubes or in such a way that it damages the reproductive system. This dramatic and unfortunate chain of events, and not the birth control itself, may eventually lead to surgery or even infertility. Your doctor will have more information about the pros and cons of the use of birth control.

Your Best Choice

Nobody can tell you what your best contraceptive choice is. At the end of the day, it is your body and your future that are dependent upon your decision here. If the side effects make you nervous, then make an appointment to speak with a professional about your other pregnancy prevention options. However, if you are one of the millions of women who already take birth control, you have very little to worry about. Despite what you might be hearing with regard to the use of birth control and its potential link to infertility, it does seem as though an unfortunate circumstance has merely become warped and exaggerated by the telephone game of life.