Preference for and satisfaction of Canadian women with the transdermal contraceptive patch versus previous contraceptive method: an open-label, multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
To document Canadian women's experience with the transdermal contraceptive patch, a method delivering 150 microg norelgestromin and 20 microg ethinyl estradiol daily.


METHODS
We conducted an open-label, multicentre, descriptive cohort study of the contraceptive patch over 9 cycles in 392 women requiring contraception. A single treatment cycle consisted of 3 consecutive 7-day patch applications followed by 1 patch-free week. At the final visit, overall satisfaction and preference for the patch was rated and compared with the previously used contraceptive method.


RESULTS
At baseline, 80.9% of participants were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their previous contraceptive method, 89% having used oral contraceptives. At final observation, 60.6% of participants preferred the patch, 9.3% had no preference; and 30% preferred their previous method (n = 376). A total of 279 participants (71.2%) completed 9 cycles of patch use. Of these, 91% were satisfied with the patch and 74.9% preferred the patch to their previous contraceptive (43% strongly preferred and 31.9% preferred); 9% had no preference; and 16.1% preferred their previous method. Of those who preferred the patch, 82.7% preferred it because of its convenience or simplicity. Across all cycles, 88% of participants recorded perfect compliance. The most common adverse event was application site reactions (most of which were mild), experienced by 49% of participants: 33.7%, 16.5%, and 14.7% at cycles 1, 4, and 9, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Both preference for and satisfaction with the transdermal contraceptive patch were high. Most participants.
Weisberg
Fay
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
Bouchard
Céline
C
Moreau
Michèle
M
Audet
Marie Claude
MC
Mawdsley
Scott
S
Dattani
Dan
D
Dinniwell
Julie
J
Horbay
G L A
GL
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017280:Condoms; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005003:Ethisterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008875:Middle Aged; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010091:Oximes; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012449:Safety; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010091:Oximes; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D005003:Ethisterone; C449219:norelgestromin