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Stopping contraception

Ready to get pregnant? Stop using contraception. As long as you’re happy and healthy, there’s nothing to prevent you from trying immediately. Just keep in mind that every woman is different. Depending on your method of contraception and on your body, it might take a while. 

Condoms – condoms don’t affect your ovulation, so all you need to do is stop using them. But… maybe don’t throw them away. If the expiry date is a few years away, you might need them post-baby. 

The pill – while every woman is different, chances are your menstrual cycle will return to normal within 4-8 weeks of stopping the pill, or even sooner. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns. 

LARCs (Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives) – there is nothing to stop you from getting pregnant as soon as your IUD is removed, and using an IUD should not affect your future fertility. Talk to your doctor when you have the device removed for any additional advice.
 

Starting to try

There are no hard and fast rules about when you should start trying for a baby after coming off birth control. Some might want to dive right in, while others may want to wait until they see signs that they’re ovulating. Once you get your first period, you can use the Elevit ovulation tracker to stay on top of when you’re most likely to get pregnant.
 

Will sex feel different after contraception?

If this is the first time you’ve tried to get pregnant, sex might feel even better, and maybe a little exciting after saying goodbye to contraception. If you’ve been using the pill or an IUD, your body may go through some changes as your hormones settle. However, this shouldn’t affect how sex feels. If you experience any discomfort, talk to your GP for advice.