How long does birth control stay in your system?

Whether you’ve been taking the pill for six months or 10 years, you may be wondering how long hormonal contraceptives stay in your system once you stop taking them. This could be for a number of reasons: You may be thinking about getting pregnant, or you may just be curious as to when your fertility levels will get back to how they were before. 

Here, we’ll take a look at hormonal birth control, from how long it stays in your body once you stop taking it to the different types of contraceptives available. Birth control is far from one-size-fits-all, and a Flo expert outlines what you might want to consider if you’re questioning stopping yours. 

Key takeaways: How long does birth control stay in your system? 

• How long hormonal birth control stays in your system after you’ve stopped taking it depends on the type used. There are so many different options out there, and each can have a different impact on your cycle and your body. 
• Hormonal birth control is reversible, which means once you stop taking it, after some time, your fertility levels will go back to your baseline.
• If you’re thinking of starting a new form of birth control or stopping the contraceptive you’re on, then speak to your doctor. They’ll be able to discuss your options with you, taking your lifestyle and family plans into consideration. 
• If you want to stop taking the hormonal contraceptive you’re on but don’t want to become pregnant, then there are also nonhormonal birth control methods, including condoms, cervical caps, and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs).

How does hormonal birth control work? 

The exact way hormonal birth control works depends on the type used. Most types release synthetic versions of either one or both of the two main hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle: estrogen and/or progesterone. Depending on the type you use, they can impact your cycle in one or more of the following ways:

• Stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg. This happens every cycle and is known as ovulation.
• Thickening the mucus in your cervix. This makes it harder for sperm to reach your egg and fertilize it. 

When used correctly, hormonal birth control is considered to be around 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, there can be some human error when it comes to taking birth control. You may know the scenario well: You’ve spent the night at a friend’s house and forgot to bring your pill. This is why, when considering how people use the pill typically, it’s more likely to be around 93% effective. 

It’s for this reason that some people prefer longer-term hormonal contraceptives, like the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) and the progestin implant. “The benefits of long-acting contraception are that the failure rate is lower because it is not relying on you,” explains Flo expert board member Dr. Allison K. Rodgers, obstetrician and gynecologist, US. “The downsides of shorter-term treatment, such as birth control pills, are that if you are late or forget a pill, you can get pregnant, and there is a higher chance of failure.”

As we’ve mentioned, there are so many birth control options out there, so if you aren’t sure which type is right for you, speak to your doctor. 

How long does hormonal birth control stay in your body? 

The effects of hormonal birth control are reversible, meaning that once you’ve stopped taking them, your fertility levels will return to your baseline after some time. “It is safe to get pregnant after stopping any form of hormonal birth control,” says Dr. Rodgers.

The time it takes for hormonal birth control to leave your body varies depending on the type — so it’s useful to know about this in advance if you are thinking of trying to have a baby soon. Similarly, the length of time between stopping hormonal birth control and your cycle returning to normal can vary from person to person. It can be impacted by: 

• Your age 
• Lifestyle factors like your weight 
• Stress 

So, let’s break down how long each type of birth control might stay in your system. 

The birth control pill 

There are two main types of birth control pills:

• The combined pill: This is the most commonly used birth control pill. It releases synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone, which work to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening your cervical mucus. It also thins the lining of your uterus.

  “The combined pill can be very effective but must be taken every day at the same time of day,” says Dr. Rodgers.

• The progestogen-only pill (also known as the mini pill): You also take this pill daily, and it’s often used as an alternative to the combined pill. Your doctor might recommend it to you if you want or need to avoid contraception that includes estrogen. 

  This pill releases a smaller dose of synthetic progesterone (called progestogen) and works similarly to the combined pill (although ovulation is not stopped so consistently). 

  “Since this is a very low dose of progesterone, it’s important to take it every day at the same time of day,” advises Dr. Rodgers. “It is not as effective as the combined pill but can be a great option for people who cannot take estrogen due to a medical condition.” While the mini pill is slightly less effective than the combined pill, it is still 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly.

It’s possible to get pregnant immediately after you stop taking either the combined pill or the mini pill, but as we said, this can vary from person to person as everyone’s cycles are different. 

Hormonal IUD

A hormonal IUD is a small T-shaped medical device that sits inside your uterus and releases a synthetic version of progesterone called levonorgestrel. It prevents pregnancy in a few ways: 

• Hormonal IUDs thicken your cervical mucus. This makes it harder for sperm to swim into your fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg.
• Hormonal IUDs that release around 52 mg of levonorgestrel or more can sometimes stop ovulation altogether, but they do not do this consistently. 
• Hormonal IUDs also thin the lining of your uterus. This can make periods lighter or even disappear altogether.

You might have seen a few different brands of hormonal IUDs. They release varying amounts of levonorgestrel, so ask a health care professional which is best for you. The four main FDA-approved hormonal IUDs are Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla. 

Once a hormonal IUD is removed, it’s possible to get pregnant right away. However, as some hormonal IUDs can stop you from ovulating, it may take a couple of months before your cycle returns to what’s normal for you. 

Copper IUD 

If long-acting contraception sounds like a good option for you, but you don’t want, or can’t use, hormonal birth control, there’s a nonhormonal version. The copper IUD works by releasing copper into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can impact sperm movement, meaning conception is more difficult. 

They look very similar to hormonal IUDs and can last for up to 10 years. Once you’ve had a copper IUD removed, your fertility can return rapidly. 

Vaginal ring

The vaginal ring is a small, soft, and flexible plastic ring which you can insert by yourself into your vagina. It releases synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone and works similarly to other hormonal contraceptives by stopping ovulation, thickening your cervical mucus, and thinning the lining of your uterus

“You typically keep the vaginal ring inside your vagina for three weeks and then remove it in the fourth week, so you have a period due to the drop of hormones,” explains Dr. Rodgers. “So it’s three weeks on, one week off. Its main side effects are increased vaginal lubrication and discharge — many people love this side effect. The vaginal ring is a good option because you don’t need to remember to take it every day, and you can’t feel it.”

Once removed, you can try to get pregnant right away. However, like with any hormonal birth control, it can take some time for your cycles to get back on track. In the United States, the three approved vaginal ring brands are NuvaRing, EluRyng, and Annovera.

Contraceptive implant 

The contraceptive implant is a small, flexible plastic rod that is inserted by a health care professional into your upper arm. It only takes a few minutes and feels similar to having an injection. The implant releases synthetic progesterone, which works to prevent pregnancy and is 99% effective when used correctly. 

The implant lasts for three years and must then be removed by a health care professional. Once the implant is removed, you can get pregnant right away. The main brand of contraceptive implants is Nexplanon.

Contraceptive injection

The contraceptive injection is an injection given by your doctor, usually into your upper arm or bottom. It slowly releases synthetic progesterone into the bloodstream and, depending on the type, lasts from eight to 13 weeks. It’s 99% effective when used correctly. Types of contraceptive injections include Depo-Provera, Sayana Press, and Noristerat.

Unlike other forms of hormonal birth control, once you stop having contraceptive injections, it can take a little longer for your cycle to return to what’s typical for you, as the progesterone stays in your body for longer.

“Since the medication is made to be slowly released, some people have the medication in their system longer,” explains Dr. Rodgers. “Some people can get pregnant as soon as three months after their last shot, but others can take up to a year to become fertile again. It’s definitely one that can stay in your system longer than other options.” 

Contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch is a small square patch that you can wear on your skin. It releases synthetic estrogen and progestogen, which are slowly absorbed by your skin. It’s usually worn for a week and then replaced with a new one — and is 99% effective when used correctly. 

The advantages of using the patch include the fact that it’s easy to wear and replace. However, it can cause skin irritation. 

Your cycle might return to what’s typical for you between one and three months after you stop wearing the patch, but some people get pregnant right away.

If you want to learn more about hormonal contraceptives, try Flo’s birth control hub and cycle-tracking app. Similarly, you can contact a health care professional for advice on birth control and let them know if you’re experiencing side effects like migraines, irregular periods, and mood swings.

How long does it take to get pregnant after stopping hormonal birth control? 

In summary, how long it takes to get pregnant after stopping hormonal birth control depends on the type of contraceptive used. For many types of hormonal birth control, you can get pregnant soon after you stop using them. In the case of the contraceptive injection, it can take 10 months or longer for your cycle to return to what’s normal for you. 

When it comes to trying to conceive, it’s also worth tracking your menstrual cycle: Flo’s ovulation-tracking app can help you to better understand when your body is most fertile and when it’s the best time to try and get pregnant. Flo’s ovulation calculator can also help you predict when you’re most likely to ovulate by tracking your periods.