Pill may boost fertility

Around a quarter of UK women take the Pill

Taking the Pill for a long period may actually improve women's subsequent fertility and not reduce it as had been feared, researchers suggest.

The findings from the Children of the 90s study can be seen as reassuring for long-term Pill users, say the researchers.

Some studies published over the last 20 years had suggested that taking the Pill could reduce subsequent fertility.

Others have reported temporary delays in women trying to become pregnant after stopping taking oral contraceptives compared to those who had used other forms of contraception.

Many women are surprised how quickly they get pregnant when they stop taking the Pill

Family Planning Association spokeswoman

But this study by researchers at Bristol and Brunel universities found women who take the Pill for more than five years have a greater chance of becoming pregnant within six months than women who have never used it.

They also showed those who had taken the oral contraceptive for longer period could find it quicker to get pregnant than those who used it for shorter period.

Delay

The researchers asked over 8,000 women to complete questionnaires while they were pregnant.

The women were all part of the Children of the 90s study, which has followed over 14,000 families over the last decade.

They were asked about their age, whether they had used the contraceptive pill, whether they smoked or drank alcohol, their educational achievement, height, weight and how long it had taken to conceive if their pregnancy was planned.

Three-quarters conceived within six months, 14% between six and 12 months and 12% after a year.

Those that had taken the Pill previously for a prolonged period were statistically less likely to have a delay in becoming pregnant.

Three quarters conceived within six months if they had been on the pill for more than five years compared to 70.5% who had never used it.

No other factors could explain the difference between the groups.

'On-hold'

Dr Alexandra Farrow, of the Department of Health and Social Care at Brunel, and the lead author of the findings, told BBC News Online the increasing benefit of taking the Pill for longer shown in this study was consistent with a number of possible protective mechanisms the Pill may provide.

"If there is a mechanism, it could be supported by the fact that the body may be protected, and things put on hold."

She added that although women with prolonged use of the Pill might be reassured that they will not be disadvantaged in their attempts to conceive once they stop taking the Pill, the findings should be treated with caution until confirmed by other studies.

The research is published in the journal Human Reproduction.

A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association said the study's findings were interesting, adding: "Many women are surprised how quickly they get pregnant when they stop taking the Pill."