Question

A female client has used medroxyprogesterone acetate injections for birth control for several years. For the past 6 months, attempts to become pregnant have been unsuccessful. What instruction should the nurse provide to the client?

1. Be seen in the fertility clinic by a primary healthcare provider who specializes in this problem.
2. Have a sperm count performed on the client's partner.
3. Be aware that ovulation may not occur for many months after using medroxyprogesterone acetate.
4. Ensure proper nutrition, rest, and establish an exercise program.

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the client that it may take many months for ovulation to return after discontinuing medroxyprogesterone acetate injections for birth control. In the meantime, maintaining proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial for overall health and potentially fertility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The instruction the nurse should provide to the client who has been using medroxyprogesterone acetate injections for birth control and is now attempting to become pregnant is that ovulation may not occur for many months after stopping the use of the contraceptive. Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a form of synthetic progesterone that works to inhibit ovulation by affecting the release of hormones like FSH and LH from the hypothalamus. Therefore, it's important for the client to have realistic expectations about the time it may take for her fertility to return to normal.

In addition to this advice, ensuring proper nutrition, rest, and establishing an exercise program can also be beneficial to overall health, which can in turn support fertility. However, these lifestyle modifications are general wellness recommendations and are secondary to the understanding of the potential delay in the return of ovulation.