Oral Contraceptives Prior to Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation: Effect of Dose on the Timing of the Return of Ovarian and Pituitary Function During the Pill-Free Interval (PFI)

Abstract

Objectives: The use of oral contraceptives (OCs) prior to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) allows for convenient cycle scheduling as well for ovulation suppression so that subsequent GnRH-agonist treatment cannot stimulate residual corpus luteum function. Although residual ovarian activity is known to exist during OC therapy, it is not clear how different OC formulations influence the degree of this suppression as well as the timing of the return of ovarian function when therapy is stopped. This question is important in the selection of an OC and in determining the optimal day for the initiation of COH. The objective of this study was to compare pituitary and ovarian activity during the seven day PFI among users of one of six different formulations of monophasic combined OCs.