title: High levels of women's satisfaction and compliance with transdermal contraception: results from a European multinational, 6-month study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate compliance, satisfaction, and preference in women using a transdermal contraceptive patch.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (18-46 years) from eight European countries used contraceptive patches (norelgestromin 6 mg, ethinylestradiol 600 μg) for six, 4-week treatment cycles. Compliance, satisfaction, and preference were assessed after 3 and 6 cycles and study completion using self-report methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 778 participants, 36.8% (n = 287) used no contraception at baseline. The most common methods were oral contraceptives (67.9%, n = 334) and barrier methods (21.5%, n = 106). Of oral contraception users, 63.5% (n = 212) were satisfied or very satisfied with their previous method, but compliance was poor with 77.8% (n = 260) reporting missed doses. After 3 and 6 cycles, >80% of all included women were satisfied or very satisfied with the patch. At study completion, most participants (73.7%) reported a preference for the patch compared to their previous method. Of 4107 cycles, 3718 (90.5%) were completed with perfect compliance. Two pregnancies occurred during this study, representing a Pearl Index of 0.63. No new safety issues were identified and the patch was well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women were highly satisfied with transdermal contraception and preferred this form of family planning over their previous method. Transdermal contraception represents a valuable addition to contraceptive options with potential to offer high compliance and efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Health, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland. jakimiuk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Jakimiuk
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Crosignani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chernev
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prilepskaya
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bergmans
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Von Poncet
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marelli
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D057968:Transdermal Patch / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004338:Drug Combinations; C511292:Ortho Evra; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol