Oral contraceptive discontinuation: a prospective evaluation of frequency and reasons.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to define the frequency and reasons for oral contraceptive discontinuation and subsequent contraceptive behavior.


METHODS
A nationwide prospective study of 1657 women initiating or switching to the use of a new contraceptive from private practices, clinics, and a health maintenance organization was performed.


RESULTS
Six months after a new oral contraceptive prescription, 68% of new starts and 84% of switchers still used oral contraceptives. Of women who discontinued, 46% did so because of side effects, whereas 23% had no continuing need. More than four fifths of women who discontinued oral contraceptives but remained at risk of unintended pregnancy either failed to adopt another method or adopted a less effective method. Fifteen percent of women who discontinued oral contraceptives resumed their use within the 7-month follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
Counseling should emphasize the possibility of side effects, stressing the fact that most will be transient, and the need to identify a backup method. Follow-up visits should be scheduled for 1 to 2 months after a prescription is written.
Health Decisions, Inc., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27514, USA.
M J
MJ
Rosenberg
M S
MS
Waugh
D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral