title: Immediate versus delayed initiation of the contraceptive patch after abortion: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immediate start of the contraceptive patch has not been studied in women after surgical abortion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women presenting for surgical abortion who had chosen the transdermal patch for contraception were randomized to either delayed start of the patch (beginning the Sunday after their abortion) or immediate start (directly observed application of the patch in the clinic). Subjects were contacted at 2 and 6 months to assess contraceptive use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred ninety-eight women were randomized, and the follow-up rate was 71% at 2 months and 53% at 6 months. Method continuation did not differ by timing of initiation. At 2 months, 71% in the delayed-start group and 74% in the immediate-start group were using the patch [p=.6, with a difference of 3.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=-17.2% to +11.2%]. At 6 months, 55% in the delayed-start group and 43% in the immediate-start group were using the patch (p=.13, with a difference of 11.9%, 95% CI=-19.2% to +34%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate initiation of the contraceptive patch after surgical abortion was not associated with increased use of patch at 2 or 6 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jody E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Steinauer
authors.forename: Abby
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sokoloff
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Eleanor A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Drey
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dehlendorf
authors.forename: Sarah W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Prager
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
keywords: Contraceptive patch; Immediate start contraception; Postabortion contraception; Quick start contraception