Fertility and Sterility
Volume 91, Issue 5 , Pages 1654-1656 , May 2009

Return to fertility after cessation of a continuous oral contraceptive

  • Kurt Barnhart, M.D., M.S.C.E.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PENN Fertility Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Kurt Barnhart, M.D., M.S.C.E., 3701 Market St., Ste. 801, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (FAX: 215-615-4200).
    • ,
  • Sebastian Mirkin, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Women's Health, Clinical Research and Development, Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
    • ,
  • Gary Grubb, M.D., M.P.H.

      Affiliations

    • Women's Health, Clinical Research and Development, Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
    • ,
  • Ginger Constantine, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Women's Health, Clinical Research and Development, Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Received 15 October 2007 ,Revised 8 February 2008 ,Accepted 13 February 2008.

References 

  1. Sulak PJ, Kuehl TJ, Ortiz M, Shull BL. Acceptance of altering the standard 21-day/7-day oral contraceptive regimen to delay menses and reduce hormone withdrawal symptoms. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;186:1142–1149
  2. Sulak PJ, Scow RD, Preece C, Riggs MW, Kuehl TJ. Hormone withdrawal symptoms in oral contraceptive users. Obstet Gynecol. 2000;95:261–266
  3. Archer DF, Jensen JT, Johnson JV, Borisute H, Grubb GS, Constantine GD. Evaluation of a continuous regimen of levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol: phase 3 study results. Contraception. 2006;74:439–445
  4. Schwallie PC, Assenzo JR. The effect of depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate on pituitary and ovarian function, and the return of fertility following its discontinuation: a review. Contraception. 1974;10:181–202
  5. Pardthaisong T, Gray RH, McDaniel EB. Return of fertility after discontinuation of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and intra-uterine devices in Northern Thailand. Lancet. 1980;1:509–512
  6. Bracken MB, Hellenbrand KG, Holford TR. Conception delay after oral contraceptive use: the effect of estrogen dose. Fertil Steril. 1990;53:21–27
  7. Hassan MAM, Killick SR. Is previous use of hormonal contraception associated with a detrimental effect on subsequent fecundity?. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:344–351
  8. Stenchever MA, Droegemuller W, Herbst AL, Mishell D. Comprehensive gynecology. 4th ed.. St. Louis: Mosby; 2001;
  9. Craig LB, Miller L, Criniti A. Rapid resumption of ovulation and menstruation following continuous use of the combination oral contraceptive. [abstract] Fertil Steril. 2005;83:S16
  10. Farrow A, Hall MGR, Northstone K, Taylor H, Ford WCL, Golding J. Prolonged use of oral contraception before a planned pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of delayed conception. Hum Reprod. 2002;10:2754–2761
  11. Wiegratz I, Mittman K, Dietrich H, Zimmermann T, Kuhl H. Fertility after discontinuation of treatment with an oral contraceptive containing 30 μg of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of dienogest. Fertil Steril. 2006;85:1812–1819
  12. Linn S, Schoenbaum SC, Monson RR, Rosner B, Ryan KJ. Delay in conception for former 'pill' users. JAMA. 1982;247:629–632
  13. Davis AR, Kroll R, Soltes B, Haudiquet V, Zhang N, Grubb GS. The occurrence of menses or pregnancy after cessation of a continuous oral contraceptive. Fertil Steril. 2008;89:1059–1063

 Supported by a grant from Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pa.

 K.B. was an investigator for this poststudy follow-up and received research funding from Wyeth Research, Collegeville, Pa. Other sources of research funding and/or financial relationships include Novo Nordisk (consultant), Organon (speaker and investigator), Johnson & Johnson, Duramed, Xanodyne, Boehringer Ingelheim, Third Wave, Pfizer, and MGI Pharma (investigator). S.M., G.G., and G.C. are employees of Wyeth Research. Other financial affiliation for G.G. is Johnson & Johnson. S.M. and G.C. have no other financial affiliation to disclose.

PII: S0015-0282(08)00484-6

doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.02.122

Fertility and Sterility
Volume 91, Issue 5 , Pages 1654-1656 , May 2009

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