Preference for and satisfaction of Canadian women with the transdermal contraceptive patch versus previous contraceptive method: an open-label, multicentre study.

Author(s): Weisberg F, Bouchard C, Moreau M, Audet MC, Mawdsley S, Dattani D, Dinniwell J, Horbay GL, NRGEEP-CON-401 Study Group

Affiliation(s): Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.

Publication date & source: 2005-04, J Obstet Gynaecol Can., 27(4):350-9.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Clinical Trial, Phase IV; Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE: To document Canadian women's experience with the transdermal contraceptive patch, a method delivering 150 microg norelgestromin and 20 microg ethinyl estradiol daily. METHODS: We conducted an open-label, multicentre, descriptive cohort study of the contraceptive patch over 9 cycles in 392 women requiring contraception. A single treatment cycle consisted of 3 consecutive 7-day patch applications followed by 1 patch-free week. At the final visit, overall satisfaction and preference for the patch was rated and compared with the previously used contraceptive method. RESULTS: At baseline, 80.9% of participants were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their previous contraceptive method, 89% having used oral contraceptives. At final observation, 60.6% of participants preferred the patch, 9.3% had no preference; and 30% preferred their previous method (n = 376). A total of 279 participants (71.2%) completed 9 cycles of patch use. Of these, 91% were satisfied with the patch and 74.9% preferred the patch to their previous contraceptive (43% strongly preferred and 31.9% preferred); 9% had no preference; and 16.1% preferred their previous method. Of those who preferred the patch, 82.7% preferred it because of its convenience or simplicity. Across all cycles, 88% of participants recorded perfect compliance. The most common adverse event was application site reactions (most of which were mild), experienced by 49% of participants: 33.7%, 16.5%, and 14.7% at cycles 1, 4, and 9, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both preference for and satisfaction with the transdermal contraceptive patch were high. Most participants.