A 26-year-old woman who has just completed her family asks how quickly fertility returns after stopping various contraceptives, as she may want a gap of only a few months. Which method is associated with the LONGEST average delay in return of fertility?
- A Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injection ✓
- B Copper IUD removal
- C Combined oral contraceptive pills
- D Progestin-only pill
Correct answer: A. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injection
Explanation
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg intramuscularly every 12 weeks suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary axis deeply, and ovulation may take 9 to 18 months to return after the last injection, averaging around 10 months, the longest delay of any reversible method. Pills and the copper IUD allow near-immediate return of fertility, with the IUD being essentially instantaneous after removal. This delayed return is a standard counselling point for young women planning conception soon.
Reference: Contraceptive Technology, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.