Contraceptive discontinuation attributed to method dissatisfaction in the United States.
BACKGROUND
This study examines contraceptive discontinuation due to method dissatisfaction among women in the United States.


METHODS
The study population, drawn from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, consisted of 6724 women (15-44 years of age) who had ever used a reversible contraceptive method. We first estimated the overall proportion of women who had ever discontinued their contraceptive due to dissatisfaction. We then calculated method-specific discontinuation risks due to dissatisfaction and analyzed the reasons for dissatisfaction given by women who had ever stopped using Norplant, Depo-Provera, oral contraceptives or condoms.


RESULTS
Overall, 46% of women had ever discontinued at least one method because they were unsatisfied with it. Dissatisfaction-related discontinuation risks varied widely by method: the diaphragm and cervical cap showed the highest proportions of such discontinuation (52%), followed by long-acting hormonal methods (42%). Oral contraceptives were associated with an intermediate risk of dissatisfaction-related discontinuation (29%), while condoms had the lowest risk (12%).


CONCLUSIONS
A broader understanding of women's concerns and experiences using contraception could help health care providers redesign counseling strategies to improve contraceptive continuation.
Moreau
Caroline
C
Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Wallace Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. cmoreau@princeton.edu
Cleland
Kelly
K
Trussell
James
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D003270:Contraceptive Agents