Commentary [on contraceptive method and future fertility].

An important question that arises is what are the implications to those working in family planning of the various causes of infertility which increase as a woman passes from her late teens to the late 20s or 30s. The family planning professional should periodically discuss with any woman any known risk factors she might have for infertility, e.g., pelvic infection, family history, or endometriosis. As a woman approaches 30, it may be appropriate to suggest that she begin to give some serious thought as to when she might want to start having children if that is one of her goals. The family planning professional needs to also be aware that the methods of birth control he/she provides to patients may affect a woman's future ability to become pregnant or to carry a pregnancy successfully. A woman should not use IUDs if she wants to have children in the future. Obviously sterilization should not be performed when future pregnancy is a serious consideration. Barrier contraceptives and spermicides offer protection against pelvic inflammatory disease as do oral contraceptives (OCs). OCs may also protect women from ectopic pregnancies and from intrauteral pregnancies. Age dependent and intercourse dependent variables are listed.