How Soon Can You Expect to Get Pregnant after Discontinuing Reversible Contraceptive Method?A Survival Analysis of the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey Data

Objectives: The information about the return of fertility was important for women use contraceptives for delaying and spacing. The objective of this study was to analyze time to pregnancy following contraceptive discontinuation among reproductive women in Indonesia.

Material and Method: Data on the return of fertility after discontinuation of various reversible contraceptive method were collected through a calendar contraceptive history among currently married women taking part in the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) 2017. There were 3,887 women who discontinued using injectables, 1,641 women who discontinued using oral contraceptives, 228 women who removed their IUDs and 233 women who removed their implants for planning a pregnancy, who were followed up in this study to assess the return of fertility after discontinuation of their respective reversible contraceptives.

Findings: This study found that there is a delay in conception or pregnancy following discontinuation of a reversible contraceptive, but there is no permanent infertility among women after discontinuation of reversible contraceptives. The cumulative pregnancy rate for a-year is 75% for discontinuers of oral contraceptive users, 72% for discontinuers of IUD users, 75% discontinuers of implant users and 64% for discontinuers of injectable users.

Conclusions: The study found that contraceptive method significantly influenced the length time to become pregnant after discontinuation of reversible contraceptive method. However, the duration of contraceptive use has no relationship to time to pregnancy. To conclude, there is no impaired fertility after contraceptive discontinuation. Implication of this study is important for counseling process.