From the Research
Most women can get pregnant within the first month after IUD removal, with fertility typically returning immediately. The time it takes to get pregnant after IUD removal can vary depending on several factors, including the type of IUD used, age, overall health, and whether there are any underlying fertility issues unrelated to the IUD.
Key Factors Influencing Fertility After IUD Removal
- Age: Older women may take longer to conceive compared to younger women 1.
- Type of IUD: Hormonal IUDs like Mirena, Kyleena, or Liletta may require 1-3 months for menstrual cycles and ovulation to fully normalize after removal, while copper IUDs like Paragard do not use hormones and thus fertility returns immediately 1.
- Overall health: Women with underlying health issues may experience delays in conception.
- Underlying fertility issues: Pre-existing fertility problems can affect the time it takes to get pregnant after IUD removal.
Recommendations
- There is no medical need to delay trying to conceive after IUD removal if you're ready to become pregnant 1.
- If you don't become pregnant within 6-12 months after IUD removal and are actively trying, it may be worth consulting with your healthcare provider to rule out other factors affecting fertility 1.
- Some healthcare providers recommend waiting until after having one normal menstrual period before trying to conceive, which helps with dating the pregnancy more accurately.
Study Findings
- A study published in 2015 found that pregnancy rates at 12 months were similar between former IUD users and non-IUD users, with 81% of IUD users becoming pregnant compared to 70% of non-IUD users 1.
- The same study found that African American race was the only variable associated with reduced fertility 1.
- Another study published in 1989 found that cumulative pregnancy rates at 3,6,12, and 18 months after IUD removal were 61.5%, 87.9%, 92.3%, and 96.7%, respectively 2.