If I get an IUD now and keep it for a few years, how fast does my fertility actually come back after it’s removed—like, can I try to get pregnant right away or is there a “reset” period?

Q: If I get an IUD now and keep it for a few years, how fast does my fertility actually come back after it’s removed—like, can I try to get pregnant right away or is there a “reset” period?A: Your fertility doesn’t need a “reset.” Once an IUD is removed, your body is basically off the ride.For both hormonal IUDs (like Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, Skyla) and copper IUDs (like Paragard), you *can* get pregnant immediately after removal—even in the very first cycle. Copper IUDs don’t affect ovulation at all, so once it’s out, your natural cycle is fully in charge. Hormonal IUDs mostly act locally in the uterus; the hormone level in your blood is low, and it drops quickly after removal.Some people ovulate within 1–2 weeks; others take a few cycles to regulate, but that’s your body’s pace, not “damage” from the IUD. Most major studies show no delay in long-term fertility compared with people who never used IUDs.If you’re trying to decode what your body’s doing post-IUD—bleeding, discharge, moods, all of it—you can always chat with Gush and talk it through in real time.

How long does it take to get pregnant after IUD removal?

Fertility after copper IUD removal: basically instant

Copper IUDs (like Paragard) are non-hormonal. They work by making the uterus a hostile place for sperm—copper changes cervical mucus and sperm motility so they can’t reach or fertilize the egg.What they *don’t* do: stop you from ovulating.So while the IUD is in, your menstrual cycle is still running:- Follicular phase: Your brain releases FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), ovaries grow follicles, estrogen rises.- Ovulation: LH (luteinizing hormone) spikes, an egg pops out.- Luteal phase: Progesterone rises from the corpus luteum.The copper IUD is just blocking sperm from doing their job.Once it’s removed:- Ovulation continues on schedule.- There’s no lingering hormone to “wash out.”- You can technically get pregnant from sex *right after* removal if it lines up with ovulation.Many people conceive within the first 3–6 months post-removal, and their fertility rates look the same as people who never used an IUD.

Fertility after hormonal IUD removal: fast, but cycles may feel weird

Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, Skyla) release levonorgestrel, a form of progestin. They:- Thicken cervical mucus (sperm-blocking slime wall)- Thin the uterine lining (harder for an embryo to implant)- Sometimes blunt ovulation in some users, especially early onBut the hormone dose in your bloodstream is low compared to the pill or implant. Once it’s removed:- Levonorgestrel levels drop quickly.- Your brain (hypothalamus + pituitary) ramps up normal signaling again: GnRH → FSH + LH.- Ovulation can return as early as 1–2 weeks.Research shows:- Most people’s cycles normalize within 1–3 months.- Pregnancy rates within 12 months are comparable to people who were never on hormonal birth control.Your first few cycles might be:- Irregular in length- Heavier or crampier (your uterus is “waking up”)- More PMS-y while estrogen and progesterone swing back to baselineAll of that can be annoying—but it’s not a “fertility reset period.” It’s recalibration, not damage.If your body’s post-IUD chaos doesn’t look like the textbook version, you’re not broken—you’re human. If you want to walk through your cycle day-by-day and what it *actually* means for trying to conceive, you can always grab a judgment-free convo on Gush.

What your menstrual cycle looks like after IUD removal

Let’s zoom in on what’s happening hormonally each month once the IUD is out:1. **Follicular phase (period → ovulation)**- Starts on the first day of your period.- Brain releases FSH → ovaries grow follicles.- Estrogen rises as follicles mature.- Uterine lining starts to thicken.- After hormonal IUD removal, this phase might be a bit longer or shorter the first couple cycles while your brain-ovary chat re-stabilizes.2. **Ovulation (the main event)**- Estrogen peaks → LH surge.- Egg is released from the ovary.- This is your fertile window: sperm can survive ~5 days; egg lives ~24 hours.- After both copper and hormonal IUD removal, ovulation can happen in that *very first* cycle.3. **Luteal phase (post-ovulation)**- Corpus luteum pumps out progesterone.- Progesterone stabilizes the uterine lining, raises your basal body temp, and can make you feel calmer…or wildly irritable, depending on your body.- If no pregnancy: progesterone drops, lining sheds → your next period.If you’re tracking ovulation with LH strips or basal body temp, you may see some funky patterns for a couple cycles after hormonal IUD removal. That’s not infertility; it’s your system resyncing.

How long is “too long” to not get pregnant after IUD removal?

Most medical guidelines say:- Under 35: see a provider if you’ve been trying for **12 months** with regular unprotected sex and no pregnancy.- Over 35: check in after **6 months**.Since you’re probably in the 18–28 window:- 6 months of no pregnancy = still within normal.- 12 months of no pregnancy = worth a fertility workup.Things that influence this way more than your old IUD:- Age (fertility naturally starts dipping around late 20s/early 30s)- Ovulation issues (like PCOS, thyroid problems, high prolactin)- Endometriosis or fibroids- History of STIs (like chlamydia or gonorrhea that were untreated and damaged the tubes)- Your partner’s sperm count and motilityThe IUD is usually the scapegoat because it’s visible and easy to blame, but the real culprits are often silent conditions that were there the whole time.

How to prep your body before or right after IUD removal

If you’re planning to try for pregnancy soon:- **Start prenatal vitamins now**Get at least 400–800 mcg of folic acid daily to lower the risk of neural tube defects.- **Track your cycle for 2–3 months**Use an app, LH test strips, or basal body temp. Learn your average cycle length and ovulation window.- **Support your hormones**- Eat enough (undereating can delay ovulation).- Don’t annihilate yourself with chronic high-intensity workouts.- Aim for regular sleep—your brain releases GnRH in a rhythm that loves routine.- **Check in about STIs**Test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc. before and after IUD removal if you’ve had new partners. Untreated STIs, not the IUD, are the bigger threat to fertility.- **Know when to ask for help**- No period for 3+ months post-removal.- Cycles longer than 45 days or shorter than 21 regularly.- Severe pain with sex or during periods.All of those are flags to get labs or an ultrasound—not proof that your IUD “messed you up,” but signs your body wants more attention.

Bottom line: no mandatory “cooling-off” period

You don’t owe your uterus a detox. Once your IUD is out:- You *can* try to get pregnant immediately.- Your fertility returns quickly for most people.- A few weird cycles are normal, not a sign of permanent damage.Anyone telling you that you’re “ruining your fertility” by using an IUD is recycling fear, not facts. Your body is allowed to both prevent pregnancy now *and* want kids later. That’s not selfish or confusing—that’s autonomy.