An international study on the acceptability of a once-a-month pill.
Totals of 450 women attending family planning clinics in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Edinburgh, and 468 in Cape Town, completed a questionnaire designed to seek their views on a contraceptive pill which would be taken only once each month. At least two-thirds of the women in all centres liked the idea of a once-a-month pill. In Hong Kong, Cape Town and Edinburgh, women preferred a pill which inhibited ovulation to one which inhibited implantation, while in all centres a pill which worked after implantation (early menstrual inducer) was considered unacceptable by over half the women. A pill which was taken after a missed menstrual period was considered preferable in all centres, perhaps because it would not be used every month but rather only if pregnancy had occurred. No demographic characteristics, contraceptive experiences or beliefs were consistently correlated with attitudes towards a once-a-month pill, except that women who would not consider having an abortion were more likely to dislike a method that either prevented, or worked after, implantation. A once-a-month pill is now technically possible, although the major drawback is the need to determine when it should be taken. It is reassuring that many women from a variety of different cultures and with widely different experiences, would find this an attractive approach to contraception.
Glasier
A F
AF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Smith
K B
KB
Cheng
L
L
Ho
P C
PC
van der Spuy
Z
Z
Baird
D T
DT
D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002681:China; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012606:Scotland; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral