Effect of various contraceptives on oocyte yield and maturation in patients undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation

Research question

Do the various forms of hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives have any association with ovarian stimulation outcomes, such as oocyte yield and maturation, in patients undergoing planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC)?

Design

This retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent POC cycles between 2011 and 2023. The use of types of contraception before a POC cycle was recorded. The study evaluated the median number of cumulus–oocyte complexes obtained after vaginal oocyte retrieval and the proportion of metaphase II oocytes that underwent vitrification among all the cohorts.

Results

A total of 4059 oocyte freezing cycles were included in the analysis. Eight types of contraceptive method were recognized in patients undergoing ovarian stimulation: intrauterine device (IUD), copper (n = 84); IUD, levonorgestrel low dose (<52 mg) (n = 37); IUD, levonorgestrel (n = 192); subdermal etonogestrel implant (n = 14); injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate (n = 11); etonogestrel vaginal ring (n = 142); combined oral contraceptive pills (n = 2349); and norelgestromin transdermal patch (n = 10). The control group included patients not using contraceptives or using barrier or calendar methods (n = 1220). Among all the cohorts the median number of cumulus–oocyte complexes retrieved during oocyte retrieval was comparable (P = 0.054), and a significant difference in oocyte maturity rate with median number of vitrified oocytes was found (P = 0.03, P < 0.001, respectively). After adjusting for confounders a multivariate analysis found no association between the type of contraceptive and proportion of metaphase II oocytes available for cryopreservation.

Conclusions

Among the various forms of contraception, none was shown to have an adverse association with oocyte yield or maturation rate in patients undergoing POC.