Observational study of contraception methods used by adolescents age 11–20
C. Neagu (1), A. Constantin (2), A. Popescu (1), M. Neagu (1)
Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Prof. Dr. Panait Sirbu’,
Bucharest, Romania (1); National Center of Family Planning and Contraception –
Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Prof. Dr. Panait Sirbu’,
Bucharest, Romania (2)
Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the contraceptive
methods (CM’s) of new applicants age 11–20, the accessibility, deciding
about the method, tolerance and benefits.
Design & Method: This was a retrospective observational study of
the CM’s used by adolescent women, all being new applicants during one year. A
total of 542 adolescent, age 11–20, were recorded from February 2003 until
February 2004. This sample was divided in three age groups: 11–14 years, 15–17
years and 18- 20 years. We followed up the addressability (post abortion, by own
request, on medical advice, in emergency), demographic characteristics, past
gynecological history (age of first menstrual cycle, pattern of menstrual cycle,
pre menstrual symptoms, number of pregnancies, abortions and deliveries), past
medical history, contraceptive method (COC, POP, condom, spermicide, injectable
contraceptives, IUD), availability (free of charge contraception or at low cost),
side effects (nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, tender breasts, spotting
or bleeding between periods, amenorrhea, depression and mood changes, weight
gain, galactorrhea ), failure, adverse events, change of CM.
Results: As expected the largest age group was that of 18 – 20 years
(74,90%). There were 9 applicants age 11 – 14 (1,66%) from which 44,45% were
sexual active and had abortion in the past; the other 55,55% were virgo and
requested contraceptive as they were about to begin their sexual life. The
recorded risk factors for our sample were: an early beginning of sexual activity,
smoking, pregnancies under the age of 18, abortion as first contraceptive method.
A percent of 57,93% received contraception by own request, 23,06% of them on
medical advice and 19% post abortion. The CM’s were chosen after counseling by
the GP and examination by the gynecologist, as follow: COC – 88,74%; POP –
0,74%; condom – 8,31%; spermicides – 0,55%. There were two other CM’s
expressly requested by 9 applicants: 6 requested injectable contraception
(1,11%) and 3 IUT (0,55%). The tolerance of all CM’s was good. Minor side
effects were recorded in 9,77% of adolescents. Due to these effects 16,98% of
them changed the CM. From the total, 18,81% had to change the type of COC due to
impossibility of receiving the free of charge pill, and 7,56% due to medical
reasons. No adverse events were recorded but one failure due to incorrect use of
the condom (0,18%). We noticed a high rate (25%) of applicants who abandoned CM’s
after a variable period of time.
Conclusions: COC was the main CM’s used by adolescents age 11–20
(88,74%). The high addressability demonstrated that there is a high level of
information about CM’s. Concerning for us is the fact that many applicants
(19%) had at least one abortion before requesting a CM.
