Contraception use and attitudes: women's concerns regarding hormonal contraception and copper intrauterine devices

Contraceptive switch and abandonment among women using the pill, condoms and injectables in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to assess the covariates of contraceptive switching and abandonment among Brazilian women stratified by oral pills, condoms and injectables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Women attending primary health care services in three Brazilian mid- to large-sized cities were interviewed face-to-face about their contraceptive practices (n = 2,051). Data were collected using a contraceptive calendar. Analysis included estimates using Kaplan-Meier multiple-decrement life-table probabilities and discrete-time hazards modelling of switching from a method to another or to no method.

RESULTS

Among 3,280 segments of contraceptive use, we observed that five-year contraceptive switching rates ranged from 34.9% among injectable users to 56.1% among pill users. Of particular concern were the high discontinuation rates of abandonment, which ranged from 50.9% among injectable users to 77.4% among pill users. Covariates of method switching and abandonment varied by type of method, but age, race/ethnicity, religion and relationship status must be highlighted as key elements of discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

Contraceptive method switching and abandoning are frequent outcomes of contraceptive use. Understanding the factors that shape women's decisions to continue or discontinue the use of a contraceptive method can help tailoring comprehensive contraceptive counselling that meet their expectations and reproductive needs when starting using a method.

Changes in hair cortisol concentration in intrauterine device initiators: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Prior studies found increased hair cortisol concentration (a surrogate marker for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation) in users of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG 52 mg IUD). We evaluated change in hair cortisol and psychometric tests in women initiating a copper (CuT380 IUD) or LNG 52 mg IUD.

STUDY DESIGN

We prospectively enrolled healthy women initiating an LNG 52 mg IUD or CuT380 IUD. Participants provided hair and blood samples and completed psychometric inventories (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Psychological General Well-Being Index) after IUD insertion and at 6 and 12 months. We used liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to measure hair cortisol concentrations. We compared hair cortisol concentrations and psychometric test changes from baseline to 6 and 12 months using independent two-sample t tests.

RESULTS

We enrolled 39 of our targeted 86 participants (LNG 52 mg IUD 26, CuT380 IUD 13). Thirty-eight subjects (LNG 52 mg IUD 25, CuT380 IUD 13) completed 6 months of follow-up. We found no difference between cohorts in the mean change in hair cortisol concentrations at 6 months (LNG 52 mg IUD n = 21 [-0.01 pg/mg (95% CI -1.26, 1.23); CuT380 IUD n = 13 [-1.31 pg/mg (-3.36, 0.73)]). While psychometric inventory results remained within normal ranges, LNG 52 mg IUD users reported a trend toward more favorable changes over time.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find clinically important differences in hair cortisol concentrations following initiation of a CuT380 IUD or LNG 52 mg IUD; psychometric inventories demonstrated no adverse effect of hormonal IUDs on mood.

IMPLICATIONS

Our findings of similar hair cortisol concentrations following the initiation of either the LNG 52 mg IUD or CuT380 IUD suggest that hormonal IUDs do not increase cortisol concentrations or alter stress reactivity, and favorable effects on psychometric inventories provide further reassurance that the LNG 52 mg IUD has no adverse impact on mood.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03499379.

Contraceptive use among women seeking an early induced abortion in Sweden

INTRODUCTION

In spite of societal efforts to strengthen women's sexual and reproductive health in Sweden, many women have unmet contraceptive needs and the abortion rate remains high. The aim of this study was to investigate contraceptive use among abortion-seeking women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Swedish-speaking women seeking an induced abortion up to the end of gestational week 12 at seven hospitals filled out an anonymous paper questionnaire between January and June 2021. Data were analyzed using frequencies and cross-tabulations, and the Chi-square test was used to compare age-groups. Valid percentages are presented.

RESULTS

In total, 623 women participated. Median age was 29 years and 13% were born outside the Nordic countries. In the year preceding the abortion, condoms (37%, n = 228) were the most commonly used contraceptive method, followed by short-acting reversible contraception (SARC) (35%, n = 213) and withdrawal (25%, n = 152). Around one in five (n = 113) had not used any method in the year preceding the abortion. Sixteen percent (n = 96) had changed contraceptive method in the last year. At the time around conception, 15% (n = 90) reported use of SARC and 2% (n = 12) of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Four out of 10 women (n = 268) reported non-use of contraception at the time around conception, with a higher proportion among adolescents (70%, n = 30, P = 0.001). Among the women who responded to why they had not used any method (n = 387), the main reasons were that they did not believe they could become pregnant at that time (37%, n = 144) or had negative experiences from using contraceptives (32%, n = 123). A majority (88%, n = 527) planned to use contraception after the abortion. Of the women who had decided on method, 55% (n = 271) planned to use LARC, and 38% (n = 188) planned to use SARC.

CONCLUSION

The unmet need for contraception appears to be high among abortion-seeking women in Sweden. Many had discontinued contraception use during the last year, and the main reasons for avoidance were beliefs that one could not become pregnant and negative experiences of contraceptives. The underestimation of pregnancy risk indicates limited fertility awareness, thus our recommendation would be to strengthen the sexual and reproductive knowledge among this group.

Claims in the clinic: A qualitative group interview study on healthcare communication about unestablished side effects of the copper IUD

BACKGROUND

Lay online communication about health-related issues has in recent years largely been associated with the spread of misinformation and decreased trust in healthcare. Such communication has included claims about systemic side effects of the copper IUD. In Sweden, a social media group centered on this issue now gathers around 8,700 members. This study aimed to use the case of reported yet unestablished side effects of the copper IUD to investigate experiences of and reasoning about healthcare encounters between caregivers and patients contesting established medical knowledge.

METHODS

We conducted qualitative, semi-structured, digital group interviews with members of the social media group (seven groups, n = 23) and with midwives and gynecologists (six groups, n = 15). We also gathered essays written by social media group members (n = 23). The material was analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

The participant accounts pointed towards tensions related to principles of evidence-based medicine, i.e., perceived insufficiency of research on the safety of the copper IUD and lack of clarity in routines for reporting and following up suspected side effects, and of patient-centered care, i.e., listening respectfully to patients. Tension between caregivers' obligation to adhere to evidence-based medicine while also providing patient-centered care was noted.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare providers' efforts to assess and address patient claims contesting established medical knowledge should include ensuring and communicating sufficient research, clarifying procedures for reporting suspected side effects, and improving person-centered care. This can increase the quality of care while contributing to the mitigation of distrust in healthcare and the spreading of health-related misinformation.

Multiple induced abortions - implications for counselling and contraceptive services from a multi-centre cross-sectional study in Sweden

OBJECTIVES

To investigate factors associated with multiple induced abortions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multi-centre cross-sectional survey among abortion-seeking women (n = 623;14-47y) in Sweden, 2021. 'Multiple abortions' was defined as having had ≥2 induced abortions. This group was compared to women with a previous experience of 0-1 induced abortion. Regression analysis was conducted to determine independent factors associated with multiple abortions.

RESULTS

67.4% (n = 420) reported previous experience of 0-1 abortion, and 25.8% (n = 161) ≥2 abortions (42 women chose to not respond). Several factors were associated with multiple abortions, but when adjusted in the regression model, the following factors remained; parity ≥1 (OR = 2.96, 95%CI [1.63, 5.39]), low education (OR = 2.40, 95%CI [1.40, 4.09]), tobacco use (OR = 2.50, 95%CI [1.54, 4.07]) and exposure to violence over the last year (OR = 2.37, 95%CI [1.06, 5.29]). More women in the group who had 0-1 abortion (n = 109/420) believed they could not become pregnant at the time of conception, compared to women who had ≥2 abortions (n = 27/161), p=.038. Mood swings, as a contraceptive side-effect, were more often reported among women with ≥2 abortions (n = 65/161), compared to those with 0-1 abortion (n = 131/420), p=.034.

CONCLUSION

Multiple abortions is associated with vulnerability. Sweden provides high quality and accessible comprehensive abortion care; however, counselling must be improved both to achieve contraceptive adherence and identify and address domestic violence.

Weak associations between personality and contraceptive choice

Prospective randomized controlled trials on hormonal contraceptive (HC) effects on the brain are rare due to a number of methodological challenges. Thus, much of the evidence on HC effects on the brain comes from cross-sectional studies comparing HC-users to non-users. In interpreting these findings, it is of importance to be aware of potential confounds associated with women's contraceptive choices. Previous studies have discussed age, education, social status, sexual orientation, relationship status, and tolerability of HC. Given the current trend toward a reduction in HC use and increased skepticism toward HC it seems relevant to also identify variables associated with women's attitudes toward HC and whether they may represent confounds for neuroscientific studies. In the present study, we investigated whether women's personality characteristics were associated with their choice to use or not use HC in the present, past and future and the type of HC chosen. 1,391 females aged 18-45 years participated in an online survey including the HEXACO-60 personality questionnaire, as well as two different measures of gender role, and provided information about their current and previous contraceptive status, as well as experiences with and attitudes toward contraceptive use. We compared (i) current, previous and never-users of HC, (ii) prospective users of HC to women who opposed future HC use, and (iii) current users of IUDs to current users of oral contraceptives. Results revealed that associations between personality and the decision to use or not use HC were negligible, while differences in personality were observed corresponding to contraceptive type. Current users of IUDs showed higher agreeableness and extraversion compared to current users of oral contraceptives. The results suggest that personality is more strongly associated to the choice of contraceptive type rather than the choice between hormonal and non-hormonal options.

Attitudes Toward the Copper IUD in Sweden: A Survey Study

Background

While the efficacy and safety of the contraceptive copper intrauterine device (IUD) have been affirmed, alongside its importance for the prevention of unintended pregnancies, some studies have pointed to negative attitudes toward the device. In recent years, social media communication about it has included claims about systemic side effects, unsubstantiated by medical authorities. Research from the Swedish context is sparse. This study investigates attitudes toward the copper IUD and any correlations between negative attitudes toward or experiences of the device, and (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) the evaluation of the reliability of different sources of information, and (3) trust in healthcare and other societal institutions.

Methods

A survey was distributed online to adult women in Sweden (n = 2,000). Aside from descriptive statistics, associations between negative attitudes toward or experiences of the copper IUD and sociodemographic and other variables were calculated using logistic regressions and expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Open survey responses (n = 650) were analyzed thematically.

Results

While many reported positive attitudes toward and experiences of the IUD, 34.7% of all respondents reported negative attitudes and 45.4% of users reported negative experiences. Negative attitudes were strongly correlated with negative experiences. Negative attitudes and experiences were associated with low income, but no conclusive associations were identified with other socioeconomic variables. Negative attitudes and experiences were associated with lower levels of confidence in and satisfaction with healthcare, as well as lower self-assessed access and ability to assess the origin and reliability of information about the IUD. In open responses, negative comments were prevalent and included references to both common and unestablished perceived side-effects. Respondents pointed to problematic aspects of information and knowledge about the copper IUD and called for improved healthcare communication and updated research.

Conclusion

Healthcare provider communication about the copper IUD should promote reproductive autonomy and trust by providing clear information about potential side effects and being open to discuss women's experiences and concerns. Further research on copper IUD dissatisfaction and ways in which health professionals do and may best respond to it is needed.

Reasons for satisfaction with the use of the 52-mg levonorgestrel intrauterine system

OBJECTIVES

To assess the reasons to use, reasons they liked, satisfaction with, and possibilities of recommendation to other women of the levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) by users.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil from January to July 2021. We enrolled users who came to the clinic, and we applied a pre-tested structured questionnaire with open-ended questions. We performed descriptive analyses of the variables, assessing the level of satisfaction with, and the reasons regarding the possibility of continuing to use, the IUS.

RESULTS

Of the 517 enrolled women, 251 (48%) were aged 35 years or older (mean age 33.9 ± 9.0 years), 276 (53%) were white, 14 (3%) were adolescents, 155 (30%) were nulligravidas, and 307 (59.4%) reported experiencing amenorrhea in the last 90 days. Common reasons why women liked to use the LNG-IUS included both the reduction of menstrual bleeding (419 women; 81%) and dysmenorrhea (290 women; 56.1%). Nine out of 10 users (517 women; 91%) were satisfied with the method, and the majority would recommend it to other women.

CONCLUSION

We found a high satisfaction rate among LNG-IUS users mainly due to the reduction of both menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea.