Attitudes and experiences with levonorgestrel 100 microg/ethinyl estradiol 20 microg among women during a 3-month trial.
To describe attitudes and experiences with a low-dose oral contraceptive pill (Alesse) over 3 months, women aged 18 years and older (n = 218) were enrolled from 16 locations to evaluate their experiences with Alesse. The questionnaire assessed demographic and personal characteristics, attitudes and experiences, and satisfaction. The participants had a mean age of 26.7 years and most were single, Caucasian, had completed high school, had a regular sexual partner, and had previously used OCs. Sixty percent of participants could discuss pill use easily with their mothers, 92% with friends, and 96% with partners; 45% of the women were unsure about their mother's previous OC use. Of the 11 side effects assessed, the most frequently anticipated side effect was weight gain. There was a significant relationship between anticipated and reported side effects for weight and mood changes; however, there remained a number of women for whom these differed. Most (90%) were satisfied with Alesse. Even when beginning on 20 microg pills, some women may still anticipate side effects such as weight gain typically associated with higher doses of estrogen. Healthcare providers should assess women's attitudes and anticipated experiences with OCs and counsel accordingly.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Yolanda H
YH
Wimberly
Sian
S
Cotton
Abbey M
AM
Wanchick
Paul A
PA
Succop
Susan L
SL
Rosenthal
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel