Ovarian Function and Reserve Parameters After Discontinuation of Long-term Use of Oral Contraception

AMH, Long-term Use, Oral Contraceptives, Ovarian Reserve Parameters

Oral contraceptives, long-term use, AMH, Ovarian reserve parameters

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a correlation between anti-Müllerian hormone during long-term use of combined oral contraceptives and the recovery time before recovered menstrual cycle after discontinuation of oral contraceptives.

Background: Hormonal contraception is widely used among women worldwide; 50-89% of all women in the Western countries use oral contraception at some point in their lives. Oral contraceptives (OC) suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis through a negative feedback of ethinyl estradiol and progestins and thereby potentially influence the markers of ovarian reserve due to a suppressed release of gonadotropins, which will impair the growth of antral follicles. Methods and Materials: Participants for this studies will be included through the Fertility Assessment and Counseling Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Herlev- and Hvidovre Hospital. Inclusion criteria: Use of oral contraception (for study 3 at least during the last three years). Exclusion criteria: Known infertility, known thyroid disease. Aims: Study 3: Investigate the ovarian reserve markers after discontinuation of OC over a period of three months in women with a history of long-term OC use. The women will be followed with serial ultrasounds and blood samples and will complete a menstrual calendar.

Denmark