Comparison of cycle control and side effects between transdermal contraceptive patch and an oral contraceptive in women older than 35 years.

OBJECTIVE

To compare menstrual patterns and side effects between transdermal contraceptive patch and oral contraceptive use in Thai women over 35 years old.

DESIGN

Open labeled randomized control trial.

SETTING

Family Planning Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Ninety-six women above the age of 35 years old were randomized to receive either transdermal contraceptive patch (n = 48) or oral contraceptive (n = 48). The patch regimen was three consecutive 7-day patches (21 days) followed by 1 patch-free week per cycle; the oral contraceptive contained with ethinyl estradiol (EE) 30 microg and levonorgestrel 150 microg.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of cycle length. The mean duration in the transdermal contraceptive group was longer than the COC group with statistically significant difference. More patients in the COC group experienced spotting than the transdermal contraceptive group. Neither amenorrhea nor pregnancies occurred in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Transdermal contraceptive patch provides reliable contraceptive efficacy. It also provides good cycle control equal to COC in Thai women aged above 35 years old. However, a higher incidence of minor adverse effects such as breast tenderness and nausea were demonstrated when compared to oral contraceptive containing with ethinyl estradiol (EE) 30 microg and levonorgestrel 150 microg.