Profile of long-acting reversible contraception users in Europe.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the profile of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) users in Europe.


METHODS
A random sample of women aged 15-49 years in 14 European countries (Germany, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Russian Federation, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) underwent web-based or computer-aided face-to-face interviews in June 2006. In this paper data pertaining to a subgroup of women using LARCs are presented.


RESULTS
A total of 11,490 women participated in the full study. Of these, 1,188 (10%) women were LARC (hormonal implant, injectables, levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [LNG-IUS], copper intrauterine device [Cu-IUD]) users. The age of the LARC users exceeded 30 years for 57-91% of them. Furthermore, more than half of them found convenience an extremely important factor when selecting the LARC as a contraceptive method. As compared to those wearing a Cu-IUD, women using hormonal LARCs experienced fewer physical and emotional symptoms that appeared or worsened during menstruation.


CONCLUSIONS
LARCs have their place in the contraceptive market in Europe. The most popular LARCs among European women were the LNG-IUS and the Cu-IUD; both were mainly used by women who had children and had no wish to have more in the future.
Haimovich
Sergio
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Del Mar University Hospital IMAS, Paseo Maritimo 25-29, Barcelona 08003, Spain. sergio@haimovich.net
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003201:Computers; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003273:Contraceptive Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel