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Women's satisfaction with birth control
J A Rosenfeld1, P M Zahorik, W Saint
1Department of Family Practice, East Tennessee State University, Bristol 37620.
Background:
Contraception is a major component of preventive health care for women. There are indications that women are not satisfied with the methods of birth control currently available. Dissatisfaction with contraceptive methods may lead to unplanned pregnancies.
Methods:
Adult women visiting the family health center over a 1-year period were invited to participate in a research interview. Questions were asked about demographic variables and the women's use of, and their satisfaction with, contraceptive methods.
Results:
Many women were displeased with the present methods of birth control. This is reflected in the numerous methods used by each woman, and by frequent use of permanent sterilization as a contraceptive method. Women were as dissatisfied with oral contraceptives as they were with the less efficacious methods such as condoms, foams, gels, and rhythm. The only methods that had a greater than 70% satisfaction rate were tubal ligations and partner's vasectomies.
Conclusions:
There is significant dissatisfaction with the methods of contraception currently available. Increased patient-physician discussion and education may improve satisfaction with birth control methods now used. New methods of contraception may be needed to prevent unplanned pregnancies.