Fertility after discontinuation of treatment with an oral contraceptive containing 30 microg of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of dienogest

Abstract

Objective: To examine the conception rate after cessation of a combination of 30 microg ethinyl E2 and 2 mg dienogest (EE/DNG).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Population-based cohort in Germany.

Patient(s): Women who wished to become pregnant after cessation of an oral contraceptive (EE/DNG).

Intervention(s): None.

Main outcome measure(s): Cumulative conception rate within 1 year after termination of EE/DNG and time to pregnancy.

Result(s): After 1 year of follow-up, the cumulative pregnancy rate was 86.6% (full analysis set; n = 706). When all participants with complete data were analyzed (n = 652), the cumulative pregnancy rate was 94.0%. More than 15% of the patients conceived in each of the first three cycles after termination of EE/DNG; the mean time to pregnancy was 3.5 cycles. The preceding duration of treatment with EE/DNG did not influence the conception rate. Except in the youngest age group (16-18 years), a certain delay was observed in the other age groups.

Conclusion(s): The present prospective study revealed only a slight delay in regaining fertility during the first three cycles after cessation of EE/DNG. Thereafter, the cumulative rate of conception did not differ from that observed in fertile women who attempted to become pregnant without prior contraception.