Self-injection of monthly combined hormonal contraceptive.
OBJECTIVE
The monthly injectable contraceptive is usually administered in the office. We aimed to compare home self-injection with office administration with respect to satisfaction, compliance, and time and money spent on contraceptive behavior.


METHODS
We enrolled 16 subjects and taught them self-injection for a prospective cohort trial with crossover. Subjects performed three self-injections at home and then had three office injections by the nurse.


RESULTS
Ten subjects completed the protocol. They reported similarly low pain and anxiety with nurse injections and self-injections. Women reported spending less money and similar time for home injections. Most subjects strongly preferred giving themselves injections at home to office injections and would recommend self-injection to other women.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-injection of the monthly contraceptive at home is a preferable alternative to office administration for these subjects. This study demonstrates the feasibility of teaching women self-injection. Future studies should look at how best to teach women self-injection and to select women who will be successful with self-injection of contraceptives.
Stanwood
Nancy L
NL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 668, Rochester, NY 14642-8668, USA. nancy_stanwood@urmc.rochester.edu
Eastwood
Kara
K
Carletta
Alison
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration / Q000191:economics
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined