No. Emergency contraception does not cause infertility or delay your ability to become pregnant in the future. Emergency contraceptive pills may briefly delay the release of an egg, and your next period may come earlier or later than expected. These changes are temporary. Fertility can return quickly, so pregnancy is possible after later unprotected sex—even in the same menstrual cycle.
Does emergency contraception affect your ability to get pregnant later?
Emergency contraception is designed to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It does not permanently change your ability to conceive. Available evidence indicates that emergency contraceptive pills do not harm future fertility, and there is no delay in the return of fertility after taking them.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), emergency contraceptive medicines do not harm future fertility. Their effects on ovulation are temporary and are not the same as infertility. Most importantly, taking an emergency contraceptive pill does not mean you need to wait several months before trying to conceive.
Why can your menstrual cycle change after emergency contraception?
Although emergency contraception does not cause lasting fertility problems, it can temporarily affect the timing of your menstrual cycle. This is especially noticeable after taking an emergency contraceptive pill because the medicine can prevent or delay ovulation, which is the release of an egg from an ovary.
Your next period may arrive earlier or later than expected. Menstrual bleeding may also be lighter or heavier than usual, and some people experience spotting between periods. These temporary changes do not, by themselves, indicate that fertility has been damaged.
MedlinePlus, a health information service of the US National Library of Medicine, confirms that emergency contraception can change menstrual bleeding and shift the timing of the next period. Such changes are generally short-term rather than evidence of a lasting effect on reproductive health.
How do different types of emergency contraception affect fertility?
The effect on your cycle depends partly on the emergency contraception method used. The main options are oral emergency contraceptive pills and the copper intrauterine device (IUD). Neither is intended to cause permanent infertility.
Emergency contraceptive pills
Common emergency contraceptive pills contain levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate. These medicines work mainly by preventing or delaying ovulation. Once their temporary effect has passed, the body's normal reproductive processes can continue. There is no recommended waiting period before trying to conceive solely because you previously took an emergency contraceptive pill.
However, the timing of ovulation may shift within the menstrual cycle in which the pill was taken. This can make it more difficult to predict fertile days from your usual calendar pattern. If you are trying to avoid pregnancy, do not rely on your expected ovulation date or assume the emergency pill provides protection for the rest of the cycle.
Copper IUD used for emergency contraception
A copper IUD is a small device placed inside the uterus by a trained healthcare professional. It prevents pregnancy through effects on sperm and fertilization rather than by delaying ovulation. It can also remain in place as an ongoing contraceptive method if that is what you choose.
The UK National Health Service (NHS) identifies the copper IUD and emergency contraceptive pills as the main emergency contraception options. Using a copper IUD for emergency contraception does not mean your fertility has been permanently reduced. If the device is left in place, it continues to provide contraception; decisions about its removal and future pregnancy plans can be discussed with your healthcare professional.
Can taking emergency contraception more than once cause infertility?
Current evidence does not show that repeated use of emergency contraceptive pills causes permanent infertility. However, repeated use can make periods less predictable and may increase short-term side effects. Emergency contraception is also less suitable than an ongoing contraceptive method when you need regular protection from pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that emergency contraception methods do not affect future fertility. If you find yourself needing emergency contraception frequently, a healthcare professional can help you choose a regular method that fits your health, preferences, and pregnancy plans.
How soon can you become pregnant after emergency contraception?
Fertility can return quickly after oral emergency contraception. There is no prolonged period of infertility caused by the medication. If ovulation occurs and sperm are present in the reproductive tract after subsequent unprotected sex, pregnancy may occur. This means emergency contraception should not be treated as ongoing birth control.
If you want to avoid pregnancy, use an appropriate regular contraceptive method after emergency contraception. The timing for starting or restarting hormonal birth control depends on which emergency contraceptive pill you took. In particular, ulipristal acetate can interact with progestogen-containing contraception, so follow the instructions provided with the medicine or ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional about when to resume your usual method.
When should you take a pregnancy test after emergency contraception?
A change in your period does not necessarily mean the emergency contraceptive pill has failed. However, emergency contraception is not completely effective, so it is important to check for pregnancy when appropriate.
Consider taking a home pregnancy test if your period is late. If you have not had your period within three weeks after taking emergency contraception, MedlinePlus recommends contacting a healthcare professional because pregnancy is possible. Follow the instructions on the pregnancy test, and seek professional advice if the result is positive or your menstrual changes remain concerning.
If you have ongoing difficulty becoming pregnant, do not automatically assume that emergency contraception is responsible. Fertility can be affected by many factors, including age, ovulation, reproductive health conditions, and sperm-related factors. A healthcare professional can review your medical history and help determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.
What does this mean for your future pregnancy plans?
For most people, taking emergency contraception is not a reason to worry about future fertility. The pill may temporarily alter ovulation or menstrual timing, but it does not cause a lasting loss of the ability to conceive. A copper IUD used for emergency contraception is also a reversible option.
If you are planning a pregnancy, there is generally no need to delay trying solely because you used emergency contraceptive pills. If you are preventing pregnancy, remember that fertility may return rapidly and that further unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy. If you have persistent menstrual changes, difficulty conceiving, or questions about the best contraceptive method for you, discuss them with a qualified healthcare professional.