Oral contraceptives are commonly chosen methods whose contraceptive effectiveness is very user-dependent. Approaches to significantly improving oral contraceptive continuation have been largely unsuccessful. Long-acting reversible methods are the most highly effective reversible contraceptives, with the highest continuation rates, and should be the first-line methods offered to reproductive-aged women.
FrostJJLindbergLD. Reasons for using contraception: perspectives of US women seeking care at specialized family planning clinics. Contraception doi:10.1016/j. contraception.08.012 (2012) (Epub ahead of print).
5.
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AhmedSLiQLiuLTsuiAO. Maternal deaths averted by contraceptive use: an analysis of 172 countries. Lancet380(9837), 111–125 (2012).
8.
TrussellJ. Contraceptive failure in the United States. Contraception83(5), 397–404 (2011).
9.
KostKSinghSVaughanBTrussellJBankoleA. Estimates of contraceptive failure from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. Contraception77(1), 10–21 (2008).
10.
WinnerBPeipertJFZhaoQEffectiveness of long-acting reversible contraception. N. Engl. J. Med. 366(21), 1998–2007 (2012).
11.
Large prospective study showing the clear superiority of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods over other hormonal methods at preventing unplanned pregnancy.
PeipertJFZhaoQAllsworthJEContinuation and satisfaction of reversible contraception. Obstet. Gynecol. 117(5), 1105–1113 (2011).
14.
Large prospective study of 12-month contraceptive continuation and satisfaction.
15.
BlancAKCurtisSLCroftTN. Monitoring contraceptive continuation: links to fertility outcomes and quality of care. Stud. Fam. Plann. 33(2), 127–140 (2002).
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BlancAKTsuiAOCroftTNTrevittJL. Patterns and trends in adolescents' contraceptive use and discontinuation in developing countries and comparisons with adult women. Int. Perspect. Sex. Reprod. Health35(2), 63–71 (2009).
17.
CastañoPMBynumJYAndrésRLaraMWesthoffC. Effect of daily text messages on oral contraceptive continuation: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet. Gynecol. 119(1), 14–20 (2012).
18.
One of the only prospective studies that showed a significant impact of an intervention to improve oral contraceptive continuation.
19.
MahdyNHel-ZeinyNA. Probability of contraceptive continuation and its determinants. East. Mediterr. Health J. 5(3), 526–539 (1999).
20.
WhiteKOWesthoffC. The effect of pack supply on oral contraceptive pill continuation: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet. Gynecol. 118(3), 615–622 (2011).
21.
One of the only prospective studies that showed a significant impact of an intervention to improve oral contraceptive continuation.
22.
RosenbergMJWaughMSMeehanTE. Use and misuse of oral contraceptives: risk indicators for poor pill taking and discontinuation. Contraception51(5), 283–288 (1995).
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KalmussDKoenemannSWesthoffCPrior pill experiences and current continuation among pill restarters. Perspect. Sex. Reprod. Health40(3), 138–143 (2008).
24.
WesthoffCLHeartwellSEdwardsSOral contraceptive discontinuation: do side effects matter?Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 196(4), 412.e1–6 (2007).
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NandaKMorrisonCSKwokCDiscontinuation of oral contraceptives and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate among women with and without HIV in Uganda, Zimbabwe and Thailand. Contraception83(6), 542–548 (2011).
26.
Savabi-EsfahanyMFadaeiSYousefyA. Use of combined oral contraceptives: retrospective study in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran. East. Mediterr. Health J. 12(3–4), 417–422 (2006).
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KhanMATrottierDAIslamMA. Inconsistent use of oral contraceptives in rural Bangladesh. Contraception65(6), 429–433 (2002).
30.
SandersSAGrahamCABassJLBancroftJ. A prospective study of the effects of oral contraceptives on sexuality and well-being and their relationship to discontinuation. Contraception64(1), 51–58 (2001).
31.
ArcherDFMaheuxRDelConteAO'BrienFB; North American Levonorgestrel Study Group (NALSG).A new low-dose monophasic combination oral contraceptive (Alesse™) with levonorgestrel 100 μg and ethinyl estradiol 20 μg. Contraception55(3), 139–144 (1997).
32.
The ESHRE Capri Workshop Group.Continuation rates for oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. Hum. Reprod. 15(8), 1865–1871 (2000).
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D'AntonaAOChelekisJAD'AntonaMFSiqueiraAD. Contraceptive discontinuation and non-use in Santarem, Brazilian Amazon. Cad. Saúde Pública25(9), 2021–2032 (2009).
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CheungEFreeC. Factors influencing young women's decision making regarding hormonal contraceptives: a qualitative study. Contraception71(6), 426–431 (2005).
35.
Goodyear-SmithFArrollB. Termination of pregnancy following panic-stopping of oral contraceptives. Contraception66(3), 163–167 (2002).
36.
SkjeldestadFE. Increased number of induced abortions in Norway after media coverage of adverse vascular events from the use of third-generation oral contraceptives. Contraception55(1), 11–14 (1997).
37.
SpitzerWO. The 1995 pill scare revisited: anatomy of a non-epidemic. Hum. Reprod. 12(11), 2347–2357 (1997).
38.
HouMYHurwitzSKavanaghEFortinJGoldbergAB. Using daily text-message reminders to improve adherence with oral contraceptives: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet. Gynecol. 116(3), 633–640 (2010).
SmithJDOakleyD. Why do women miss oral contraceptive pills? An analysis of women's self-described reasons for missed pills. J. Midwifery Womens Health50(5), 380–385 (2005).
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RosenbergMJWaughMS. Oral contraceptive discontinuation: a prospective evaluation of frequency and reasons. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 179(3 Pt 1), 577–582 (1998).
42.
HalpernVGrimesDALopezLMGalloMF. Strategies to improve adherence and acceptability of hormonal methods of contraception. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 1, CD004317 (2006).
43.
GilliamMKnightSMcCarthyM. Success with oral contraceptives: a pilot study. Contraception69(5), 413–418 (2004).
44.
JayMSDuRantRHShoffittTLinderCWLittIF. Effect of peer counselors on adolescent compliance in use of oral contraceptives. Pediatrics73(2), 126–131 (1984).
45.
De CetinaCanto TECantoPLunaMO. Effect of counseling toimprove compliance in Mexican women receiving depotmedroxyprogesteroneacetate. Contraception63(3), 143–146 (2001).
46.
DarneyPD. OC practice guidelines: minimizing side effects. Int. J. Fertil. Womens Med. 1, 158–169 (1997).
47.
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48.
LawrieTAHelmerhorstFMMaitraNKKulierRBloemenkampKGülmezogluAM. Types of progestogens in combined oral contraception: effectiveness and side-effects. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 5, CD004861 (2011).
49.
Van VlietHAAMRapsMLopezLMHelmerhorstFM. Quadriphasic versus monophasic oral contraceptives for contraception. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 11, CD009038 (2011).
50.
Van VlietHAAMGrimesDALopezLMSchulzKFHelmerhorstFM. Triphasic versus monophasic oral contraceptives for contraception. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 11, CD003553 (2011).
51.
GrimesDASchulzKF. Nonspecific side effects of oral contraceptives: nocebo or noise?Contraception83(1), 5–9 (2011).
52.
BarskyAJSaintfortRRogersMPBorusJF. Nonspecific medication side effects and the nocebo phenomenon. JAMA287(5), 622–627 (2002).
53.
Excellent overview of the under-reported nocebo effect.
54.
ReidenbergMMLowenthalDT. Adverse nondrug reactions. N. Engl. J. Med. 279(13), 678–679 (1968).
55.
BrackenMB. Oral contraception and congenital malformations in offspring: a review and meta-analysis of the prospective studies. Obstet. Gynecol. 76(3), 552–557 (1990).
56.
WesthoffCHeartwellSEdwardsSInitiation of oral contraceptives using a quick start compared with a conventional start: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet. Gynecol. 109(6), 1270–1276 (2007).
57.
LopezLMNewmannSJGrimesDANandaKSchulzKF. Immediate start of hormonal contraceptives for contraception. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2, CD006260 (2008).
58.
FosterDGHulettDBradsberryMDarneyPPolicarM. Number of oral contraceptive pill packages dispensed and subsequent unintended pregnancies. Obstet. Gynecol. 117(3), 566–572 (2011).
59.
FosterDGParvataneniRde BocanegraHTNumber of oral contraceptive pill packages dispensed, method continuation, and costs. Obstet. Gynecol. 108(5), 1107–1114 (2006).
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62.
RodgersACorbettTBramleyDDo u smoke after txt? Results of a randomised trial of smoking cessation using mobile phone text messaging. Tob. Control14(4), 255–261 (2005).
63.
LesterRTRitvoPMillsEJEffects of a mobile phone short message service on antiretroviral treatment adherence in Kenya (WelTel Kenya1): a randomised trial. Lancet376(9755), 1838–1845 (2010).
64.
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65.
CastañoPMAndrésRLaraMWesthoffCL. Assessing feasibility of text messaging to improve medication adherence. Obstet. Gynecol. 107(4), 40S (2006).
66.
BlumbergSJLukeJVGaneshNDavernMEBoudreauxMHSoderbergK. Wireless substitution: state-level estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January 2007–June 2010. Natl Health Stat. Report. (39), 1–26, 28 (2011).
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GrindlayKBurnsBGrossmanD. Prescription requirements and over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives: a global review. Contraception doi:10.1016/j.contraception.11.021 (2012) (Epub ahead of print).
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GrossmanDFernandezLHopkinsKAmastaeJGarciaSGPotterJE. Accuracy of self-screening for contraindications to combined oral contraceptive use. Obstet. Gynecol. 112(3), 572–578 (2008).
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FrostJJSinghSFinerLB. Factors associated with contraceptive use and nonuse, United States, 2004. Perspect. Sex. Reprod. Health39(2), 90–99 (2007).
70.
PotterJEMcKinnonSHopkinsKContinuation of prescribed compared with over-the-counter oral contraceptives. Obstet. Gynecol. 117(3), 551–557 (2011).
71.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives. Committee Opinion No. 544. Obstet. Gynecol. 120(6), 1527–1531 (2012).
72.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).US. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010. MMWR59(RR-4), 1–86 (2010).
73.
Useful tool for clinicians to find the best contraceptive option for patients with medical conditions.
74.
TrussellJLallaAMDoanQVReyesEPintoLGricarJ. Cost effectiveness of contraceptives in the United States. Contraception79(1), 5–14 (2009). Erratum in: Contraception 80(2), 229–230 (2009).
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BajosNLeridonHGoulardHOustryPJob-SpiraN; COCON Group.Contraception: from accessibility to efficiency. Hum. Reprod. 18(5), 994–999 (2003).
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KlemettiRGisslerMNiinimäkiMHemminkiE. Birth outcomes after induced abortion: a nationwide register-based study of first births in Finland. Hum. Reprod. 27(11), 3315–3320 (2012).
77.
TocceKMSheederJLTealSB. Rapid repeat pregnancy in adolescents: do immediate postpartum contraceptive implants make a difference?Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 206(6), 481.e1–e7 (2012).
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Adolescents and long-acting reversible contraception: implants and intrauterine devices. Committee Opinion No. 539. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet. Gynecol. 120(4), 983–988 (2012).
79.
FinerLBZolnaMR. Unintended pregnancy in the United States: incidence and disparities, 2006. Contraception84(5), 478–485 (2011).
Study that reveals what can happen when cost is removed as a barrier to obtaining a contraceptive method.
82.
StanwoodNLGarrettJMKonradTR. Obstetrician-gynecologists and the intrauterine device: a survey of attitudes and practice. Obstet. Gynecol. 99(2), 275–280 (2002).
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TylerCPWhitemanMKZapataLBCurtisKMHillisSDMarchbanksPA. Health care provider attitudes and practices related to intrauterine devices for nulliparous women. Obstet. Gynecol. 119(4), 762–771 (2012).
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FinerLBJermanJKavanaughML. Changes in use of long-acting contraceptive methods in the United States, 2007–2009. Fertil. Steril. 98(4), 893–897 (2012).
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Comprehensive overview of the increasing popularity of long-acting reversible contraceptives in the USA.
BednarekPHCreininMDReevesMFCwiakCEspeyEJensenJT; Post-Aspiration IUD Randomization (PAIR) Study Trial Group.Immediate versus delayed IUD insertion after uterine aspiration. N. Engl. J. Med. 364(23), 2208–2217 (2011).
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ShimoniNDavisARamosMERosarioLWesthoffC. Timing of copper intrauterine device insertion after medical abortion: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet. Gynecol. 83(6), 517–521 (2011).
US FDA Drug Safety Communication: updated information about the risk of blood clots in women taking birth control pills containing drospirenone (2012). www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm299305.htm (Accessed 25 September 2012).
US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Women's Preventive Services: Required Health Plan Coverage Guidelines (2012). www.hrsa.gov/womensguidelines (Accessed 1 October 2012).
