The Duration of Fertility Return After Using DMPA Contraception
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53366/jimki.v12i3.1013Keywords:
DMPA, Contraception, Fertility ReturnAbstract
Introduction: Birth control is an important pillar of reproductive health because it helps couples manage the number and spacing of births, reduces unplanned pregnancies, and reduces maternal morbidity and mortality. People often choose injectable contraceptives, especially DMPA, because of its high effectiveness and lack of daily compliance requirements, and because it can be used by breastfeeding mothers as it does not contain estrogen. Despite its effectiveness, hormonal methods have consequences for the reproductive system. DMPA works by suppressing gonadotropin secretion, thereby stopping ovulation during the period of use, and because it is a depot drug, residual hormones can remain in the body for a longer period after the last injection. This study aims to review the results of studies on the duration of fertility return after the use of DMPA contraception.
Method: The study was conducted through a Literature Review approach by searching for articles in the Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases.
Discussion: The review yielded seven relevant articles. Analysis showed that DMPA causes delayed return to fertility due to suppression of gonadotropin hormone activity, which inhibits ovulation. The average duration of return to fertility ranged from 6 to 18 months, with slower recovery in women of advanced reproductive age and those who had used the drug for more than two years.
Conclusion: Overall, fertility delays caused by DMPA are reversible and physiological, with normal recovery occurring within 1 to 1.5 years after the last injection.
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