Pregravid contraceptive use and fecundability: prospective cohort study

Study (n=17 954, Denmark,North America) found though use of some hormonal contraceptive methods was linked to delays in return of fertility, with injectable contraceptives showing longest delay, there was little/no lasting effect of long term use of these methods on fecundability

SPS commentary:

Findings included following:

  • Use of injectable contraceptives was associated with decreased fecundability vs. barrier methods (fecundability ratio 0.65).
  • Users of injectable contraceptives had longest delay in return of normal fertility (5-8 menstrual cycles), followed by patch contraceptives (4 cycles), oral and ring contraceptives (3 cycles), and hormonal and copper intrauterine devices and implant contraceptives (2 cycles).
  • Lifetime length of use of hormonal contraceptive methods was not associated with fecundability.

British Medical Journal