Factors affecting women's selection of a combined hormonal contraceptive method: the TEAM-06 Spanish cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Contraceptive efficacy and side effects are primary concerns of women when choosing a contraceptive method.

STUDY DESIGN

This cross-sectional multicenter study was designed to assess the reasons for selecting the contraceptive pill, the skin patch or the vaginal ring in 9700 women, aged 18-49 years, who consulted their doctors for starting or re-initiating combined hormonal contraception. A self-administered questionnaire regarding the reasons for the selection made and for the refusal of the remaining two methods was completed.

RESULTS

The vaginal ring showed the highest acceptance (46%) compared with the pill (39%) and the skin patch (15%), particularly in women aged 35-39 years. The ring and the skin patch were mainly preferred because of the lower probability of inadvertent omission (62% of cases), convenience, and monthly or weekly frequency of use. The pill was preferred because of its proven efficacy (60% of cases) and ease of use. The acceptance of the skin patch increased with age and the pill was mostly accepted only by women in the youngest age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Convenience, frequency of use and lower probability of inadvertent omission were the primary determinants of contraceptive choice rather than the women's profile.