Documented short-term continuation rates for combined hormonal contraceptives in an indigent population with ready access to contraceptive supplies.

OBJECTIVE

One problem women have successfully using combined hormonal contraception is the limited supplies they are dispensed. Patients at the Women's Health Care Clinic at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center have virtually no barriers to method switching, so it is possible to estimate the impacts that more generous prescribing policies have on short-term continuation rates.

STUDY DESIGN

Anonymous chart review of all women who initiated hormonal contraception between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2005.

RESULTS

Only 40.4% of women had documented use for at least 3 months. Women dispensed supplies for 3 or more cycles at the initial visit were more likely to continue use for 3 months (47.8%) than were women dispensed fewer cycles (31.9%) (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

More liberal dispensing policies may increase the wastage of combined hormonal contraceptive product, but they significantly increase at least intermediate term use of those methods.