Does taking contraceptive pills cause infertility?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on January 07, 2025
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Contraceptives are categorized into short-acting, long-acting, or emergency contraceptives. Commonly, long-acting contraceptives, such as those taken orally once a month, have significant side effects. Prolonged use can lead to menstrual irregularities, facial pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and amenorrhea. Therefore, long-term use of long-acting contraceptives may result in decreased ovarian function, leading to infertility. Generally, emergency contraceptives and short-acting contraceptives have relatively minor side effects. Occasional use does not have a significant impact, but prolonged use can cause menstrual disorders and hormonal imbalances, which in turn can lead to infertility. Thus, contraceptives are not suitable for everyone, and it is not recommended for women who have never given birth to use oral contraceptives for contraception.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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What does infertility cos mean?

Let's take a look at what infertility COS means. Infertility COS is an abbreviation for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in English. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common disease in women, characterized by obesity, hirsutism, amenorrhea, and infertility. This disease is characterized by an excess of androgens and persistent anovulation. Ultrasound examinations did not find ovarian volumes greater than 10 ml and follicles with diameters of 2 to 9mm, with at least 12 present. People with this disease often seek treatment for infertility. Currently, the methods of treating this disease in China include medication and surgery.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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When to go for infertility check-ups?

The timing of infertility examinations cannot be generalized and should be determined based on the specific test and gender. For males, the primary tests include semen analysis and sperm morphology exams. These require the male to abstain from ejaculation for 2-7 days because if the abstinence period is too short, less than 48 hours, both sperm quality and semen volume may be low, which does not reflect the true level. Conversely, if the abstinence exceeds seven days, it can also affect the results of the test. For females, if undergoing a six-item hormone test, it is best conducted during days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle. For a fallopian tube patency test, it is safer to conduct it between days 3-7 after the menstrual period has ended. The exact timing of these tests should be advised by the attending physician.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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How many people are infertile?

The infertility rate in our country is around 12%. According to the data released by the China Population Association and the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the infertility rate among couples of childbearing age in China has climbed from 2.5%-3% twenty years ago to about 12%-15% this year, with the number of affected individuals exceeding 50 million. Among these 50 million patients, 50% are women, 40% are men, and about 10% are cases involving both partners. With increasing environmental pollution, delayed childbearing age, and growing life pressures, the number of couples experiencing infertility continues to rise.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Which department should I go to for infertility treatment?

For infertility issues, one should first visit a formal hospital. At the hospital, men can choose to see either a traditional Chinese medicine andrologist or a Western medicine andrologist, while women can opt to visit a traditional Chinese medicine infertility specialist, or a gynecology or obstetrics department. After consulting these departments, doctors will conduct various tests to identify and rule out causes of infertility. Then, based on the test results, they will administer targeted treatments or interventions. This approach helps infertility patients to conceive as soon as possible.

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Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
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What should an infertile man check?

The definitive diagnosis of male infertility requires determination based on professional examination procedures. Common examinations include the following: First, it is crucial to conduct a medical history interview. The patient should actively cooperate and honestly report their conditions, such as whether they have had mumps, any unsafe sexual behaviors, and what their occupation is. Second, a physical examination, including a general body and reproductive organ examination, is necessary. Special attention should be given to the patient's developmental, nutritional, and mental status, with a focus on the development of the reproductive organs. Third, laboratory tests. The most common is semen analysis. Other tests may be selected based on specific conditions, such as X-ray examinations to determine the location of any blockage in the vas deferens. Techniques such as vasography, epididymography, vas deferens and seminal vesicle radiography, or urethrography can be used. Testicular exams are also performed to assess the condition of the testicles. Additionally, immunological tests, including sperm agglutination and immobilization tests, are used to detect sperm agglutination antibodies or immobilization antibodies in serum or seminal plasma, which help assess the immune status.