False claims have been spreading on social media that hormonal birth control pills and IUDs cause infertility. Overwhelming evidence shows that these contraceptive methods are safe and effective without affecting long-term fertility. Most hormonal birth control methods stop preventing pregnancy just weeks after the patient stops using them.

Hormonal birth control pills and hormonal IUD’s contain progestin and estrogen or just progestin to prevent pregnancy.

These contraceptives work by either preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs or preventing sperm from reaching them by thickening the mucus in the cervix.

The effects of hormonal contraception are reversable and stop when an individual has an IUD removed or stops taking birth control pills.

A 2018 systematic review of research from 1985-2017 concluded that based on available evidence, the use of contraceptives for any length of time does not affect the person’s ability to conceive in the future.

Scientists continue to study side effects of birth control to learn more about side effects such as nausea or changes in mood to help mitigate these. These side effects also stop if an individual discontinues the contraceptive.