title: Self-described impact of noncompliance among users of a combined hormonal contraceptive method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of factors related to the user and the method affect contraceptive compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional multicenter study was designed to assess self-described impact of noncompliant behavior among 26,250 typical users of a combined hormonal contraceptive method who consulted their physicians for control visits. A self-administered questionnaire was completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five percent of women used the pill, 23% the vaginal ring and 12% the transdermal patch. Noncompliant behavior (missing/delays in taking/application, insertion or removal of the pill/skin patch/vaginal ring) was recorded in 71% of pill users, 32% of patch users and 21.6% of vaginal ring users (p<.0001). Emergency contraception was requested by 14% of pill users, 11% of patch users and 6.3% of ring users. About 40% of women in all groups called or visited a physician. Seventy percent of women continued to have active sex life, and 60% used an additional contraceptive method. Noncompliant behavior negatively affected work activities and/or couple relationships in 10-20% of cases. More than 50% of women reported they were worried and about 20% were scared due to inconsistent use of the contraceptive method. After filling out the questionnaire, 64.7% of pill users continued to prefer the pill, 61.7% of patch users preferred the patch and 96.6% of women using the vaginal ring preferred the ring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Noncompliant behavior had noticeable effects on emotional well-being, prompted request for physicians' advice, and use of emergency contraception. Despite recognition of problems associated with inconsistent use, women tended to prefer the currently used contraceptive method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Santiago Apóstol, Olauíbel 29, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. ilete@hsan.osakidetza.net
authors.forename: Iñaki
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lete
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Doval
authors.forename: Ezequiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez-Campos
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lertxundi
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de la Viuda
authors.forename: María Angeles
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: José Vicente
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: María Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robledo
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined