Extended Cycle Oral Contraceptives: A Survey Regarding Satisfaction and Reluctance to Use

Abstract

Objectives: To determine patient satisfaction with extended cycle oral contraceptives (ECOC) and to assess why conventional oral contraceptive (COC) users might be reluctant to use extended-cycle oral contraceptives. Methods: Patients at Arizona State University Student Health and University of Arizona Campus Health pharmacies were administered questionnaires when picking up prescriptions for oral contraceptives. Questionnaires collected ratings of satisfaction with side effects and quality of life with patients’ current oral contraceptive and assessed familiarity with, and reasons for and against using, extended-cycle oral contraceptives. Results: Our survey yielded significant differences between ECOC and COC users in reasons for reluctance in use of, familiarity with, and willingness to use extended cycle contraceptives as well as, the overall satisfaction and frequency of experiencing side effects. Conclusions: The extended cycle oral contraceptive users in this study appeared to have a lower level of satisfaction with their current contraceptive regimen than did women who were utilizing conventional oral contraceptives. The extended cycle oral contraceptive users also experienced spotting more frequently and reported the belief that amenorrhea is unnatural less frequently than conventional oral contraceptive users.