Adolescent compliance and side effects with Quick Start initiation of oral contraceptive pills
Lara-Torre, E.; Schroeder, B.
Contraception 66(2): 81-85
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-7824 PMID: 12204779 DOI: 10.1016/s0010-7824(02)00326-8Document Number: 242799
Adolescents' compliance with use of oral contraceptive pills has been described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare traditional Sunday Start to a same day (Quick Start) approach. A retrospective study of patients 22 years of age and younger was performed comparing compliance at 3 months and 12 months and side effects. The groups were divided into Quick Start (N = 77, 40%) and Sunday Start (N = 116, 60%). One hundred twenty-five (65%) patients were compliant at 3 months; 68 patients (35%) were compliant at 12 months. Quick Start users were more likely to comply at 3 months (72% vs. 56%, p = 0.059), especially if they were Caucasian (80% vs. 65%, p = 0.007), with dysmenorrhea (86% vs. 62%, p = 0.006), nulligravid (77% vs. 58%, p = 0.008), or nulliparous (73% vs. 59%, p = 0.038). There was no difference in side effects. There was no significant difference at 1 year in compliance or side effects. Findings suggest better compliance in adolescents at 3 months with the Quick Start approach while maintaining side effect profile.