Contraceptive compliance with a levonorgestrel triphasic and a norethindrone monophasic oral contraceptive in adolescent patients
Woods, E.R.; Grace, E.; Havens, K.K.; Merola, J.L.; Emans, S.J.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 166(3): 901-907
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9378 PMID: 1550161 DOI: 10.1016/0020-7292(92)90695-fDocument Number: 318583
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the impact of two low-dose oral contraceptive pills on compliance and side effects in adolescent patients. STUDY DESIGN: The use of a levonorgestrel-containing triphasic pill (N = 114) was compared with that of a monophasic (1 + 35) norethindrone-containing pill (N = 110) at two different sociodemographic sites. RESULTS: No significant difference in compliance or pill satisfaction was observed between the pills. Socioeconomic factors were the overriding predictors of compliance. At 3 and 12 months of follow-up, there were significantly fewer compliants of overall side effects (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively), breakthrough bleeding (p = 0.017 and p = 0.018), and pill amenorrhea (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001) among users of the triphasic pill. Mean weight change at 12 months was +1.1 kg for the monophasic pill and -0.1 kg for the triphasic pill. All known pregnancies occurred among noncompliant city clinic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents experienced fewer side effects with the triphasic pill then with the monophasic one, but compliance was the same.