title: Monthly injectable contraceptive use by adolescents in Brazil: evaluation of clinical aspects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective noncomparative observational study evaluated the clinical symptoms, body weight and blood pressure of 38 adolescents receiving a monthly injectable contraceptive containing estradiol valerate 5 mg and norethisterone 50 mg.
  
  
  METHODS
  The volunteers, aged 16-19 years, were examined monthly during 1 year and asked about the following symptoms at baseline: dysmenorrhea, headache, breast tenderness, leg pain and irritability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a constant and gradual decline in each of the above symptoms over time, and there was a statistically significant difference between symptoms reported at the first visit and subsequent appointments. Body weight and blood pressure did not change significantly during the 1-year period. No pregnancies were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that monthly injectable contraception with estradiol valerate 5 mg/norethisterone 50 mg represents a highly effective and well-tolerated contraceptive for teens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of São Paulo Federal University (UNIFESP), Family Planning Clinic, CEP 09090-050 São Paulo, Brasil. c.guazzelli@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Cristina Aparecida Falbo
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Guazzelli
authors.forename: Maria Silvia Bortolotti de Mello
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jacobucci
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: Fabio Fernando
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Antonio Fernades
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Moron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D001835:Body Weight; D001938:Brazil; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004958:Estradiol; D009640:Norethindrone