Epidemiological Survey on the Perception of Adverse Effects in Women Using Contraceptive Methods in Brazil.

Gabriela Barbosa Lima,Maria Mariana Andrade Abreu,Gabriel Duque Pannain,Vivian De Oliveira Rodrigues Brum

doi:10.1055/s-0041-1741410

Gabriela Barbosa Lima, Maria Mariana Andrade Abreu + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1741410

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Abstract

The present study aimed to understand patient perception of the adverse effects of contraceptives to improve health care and adherence to treatment. An online questionnaire was available for women in Brazil to respond to assess their perception of adverse effects and their relationship with contraceptive methods. Of all 536 women who responded, 346 (64.6%) reported current contraceptive use. One hundred and twenty-two (122-34.8%) women reported having already stopped using contraception because of the adverse effects. As for the contraceptive method used, the most frequent was the combined oral contraceptive (212-39.6%). When we calculated the relative risk for headache, there was a relative risk of 2.1282 (1.3425-3.3739; 95% CI), suggesting that the use of pills increases the risk of headache, as well as edema, in which a relative risk of 1.4435 (1.0177-2.0474; 95% CI) was observed. For low libido, the use of oral hormonal contraceptives was also shown to be a risk factor since its relative risk was 1.8805 (1.3527-2.6142; 95% CI). As for acne, the use of hormonal contraceptives proved to be a protective factor, with a relative risk of 0.3015 (0.1789-0.5082; 95% CI). The choice of a contraceptive method must always be individualized, and the patients must be equal participants in the process knowing the expected benefits and harms of each method and hormone, when present.

Highlights

Prevention of pregnancy can be achieved by inhibiting ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation using hormonal or non-hormonal methods
An online questionnaire was available for women in Brazil to respond to assess their perception of adverse effects and their relationship with contraceptive methods
Long-acting reversible contraception methods (LARCs) are known to be the most effective due to not being dependent on the active participation of the patient—as is the case with the pill—and because of its long-acting mechanism, whether through liberation of progestogens, as in hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) and intradermal implants, or induction of an inflammatory response to hinder the process of fecundation, as in the copper and silver IUDs.[5]

Summary

Introduction

Prevention of pregnancy can be achieved by inhibiting ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation using hormonal or non-hormonal methods. Hormonal contraception can be accomplished through oral contraceptive pills, transdermal patches, vaginal rings, subcutaneous implants, intramuscular injections, or intrauterine devices.[1]. Long-acting reversible contraception methods (LARCs) are known to be the most effective due to not being dependent on the active participation of the patient—as is the case with the pill—and because of its long-acting mechanism, whether through liberation of progestogens, as in hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) and intradermal implants, or induction of an inflammatory response to hinder the process of fecundation, as in the copper and silver IUDs.[5]

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