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Conceiving After Contraception

Can Birth Control Affect Your Fertility?

Part One

"I am having trouble conceiving now," Melissa says. "I had two miscarriages in two years." Eventually, she was able to carry her son to term. But even after four Norplant-free years, she is still experiencing problems conceiving a fourth child.

After the birth of her second child, Sal* thought she didn't want any more children. She decided to have a tubal ligation. "Before I could make the appointment, my son died at 8 months old," she says. "I'm glad I didn't have the tubal done." Instead, after she had a third child, she chose to try the 10-year copper intra-uterine device (IUD).

Having an IUD put in "hurts terribly," she says. "It's a bit like giving birth in reverse. They insert a thin metal rod into the cervix to 'measure depth.' Then they insert a hollow plastic tube and push the IUD into the cervix where it springs open." She advises women considering the IUD to be aware of all the possible side effects. "I received a pamphlet after I had it done. I might not have done it had I seen it first. Now I live in dread of scar tissue, punctured walls, infertility and surgery to remove the IUD. Those are just four of the 30-plus possible side effects."

* Last name withheld to protect privacy. 

Want to see more?

• Conceiving After Contraception Part 2: Can Birth Control Affect Your Fertility?
• Conception and the Caffeine Connection: Is Your Daily Habit Hurting Your Chances of Conceiving?
• Which Birth Control Method? Changing Your Birth Control After Pregnancy
• Too Toxic to Conceive: Is Your Lifestyle to Blame?
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!