title: Ovarian function during hormonal contraception assessed by endocrine and sonographic markers: a systematic review.
abstract: This systematic review focuses on the literature evidence for residual ovarian function during treatment with hormonal contraceptives. We reviewed all papers which assessed residual ovarian activity during hormonal contraceptive use, using endocrine markers such as serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, FSH, LH, oestradiol, progesterone and sonographic markers such as antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume and vascular indices. We considered every type (oestroprogestin or only progestin) and dosage of hormonal contraceptive and every mode of administration (oral, vaginal ring, implant, transdermal patch). We performed an electronic database search for papers published from 1 January 1990 until 30 November 2015 using PubMed and MEDLINE. We pre-selected 113 studies and judged 48 studies suitable for the review. Most studies showed that follicular development continues during treatment with hormonal contraceptives, and that during treatment there is a reduction in serum concentrations of FSH, LH and oestradiol, and also a reduction in endometrial thickness, ovarian volume and the number and size of antral follicles. The ovarian reserve parameters, namely AFC and ovarian volume, are lower among users than among non-users of hormonal contraception; regarding the effect of hormonal contraception on AMH, there are still controversies in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Urology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy. Electronic address: stella.darpe@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Arpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Urology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Feliciantonio
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Urology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candelieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Urology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franceschetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Urology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Piccioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Urology, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastianelli
mesh_terms: D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D065851:Ovarian Reserve; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: follicular development; hormonal contraception; hormone-free interval; ovarian activity; ovarian function