Monthly injectable contraceptive use by adolescents in Brazil: evaluation of clinical aspects.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

This prospective noncomparative observational study evaluated the clinical symptoms, body weight and blood pressure of 38 adolescents receiving a monthly injectable contraceptive containing estradiol valerate 5 mg and norethisterone 50 mg.

METHODS:

The volunteers, aged 16-19 years, were examined monthly during 1 year and asked about the following symptoms at baseline: dysmenorrhea, headache, breast tenderness, leg pain and irritability.

RESULTS:

There was a constant and gradual decline in each of the above symptoms over time, and there was a statistically significant difference between symptoms reported at the first visit and subsequent appointments. Body weight and blood pressure did not change significantly during the 1-year period. No pregnancies were observed.

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that monthly injectable contraception with estradiol valerate 5 mg/norethisterone 50 mg represents a highly effective and well-tolerated contraceptive for teens.

• Authors: Cristina Aparecida Falbo Guazzelli, Maria Silvia Bortolotti de Mello Jacobucci, Márcia Barbieri, Fabio Fernando Araújo, Antonio Fernades Moron
• Journal: Contraception (Contraception) Vol. 76 Issue 1 Pg. 45-8 (Jul 2007) ISSN: 0010-7824 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17586136 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contraceptive Agents, Female
• Estradiol
• Norethindrone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adolescent Health Services
• Body Weight
• Brazil
• Contraceptive Agents, Female (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Estradiol (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Norethindrone (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Prospective Studies