ZIAEI S, RAJAEI L, FAGHIHZADEH S, LAMYIAN M. EVALUATION OF SIDE EFFECTS OF LOW DOSE CONTRACEPTIV E PILLS ADMINISTERED BY THE VAGINAL ROUTE. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2002; 16 (2) :67-70
URL:
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-753-en.html
From the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, I.R. Iran. , ZIAEI_99@yahoo.com
Abstract: (4832 Views)
Oral contraceptive pills have several side effects especially on the gastrointestinal
tract and liver. Absorption of low dose (LD) pills by the vaginal route avoids
the first pass of the steroids through these tracts and probably has fewer side
effects. This study was a cohort study for evaluation of side effects and acceptability
of LD pills administered by the vaginal route. In a clinical trial study,
undesirable side effects such as nausea, dysmenorrhea, breast tenderness gastrointestinal
disorders, vertigo, headache, and breakthrough bleeding (BTB) were
studied. The side effects, efficacy and acceptability were evaluated in 220 women
using contraceptive pills containing 150mg levonorgestrel and 30mg ethinyl estradiol
via the vaginal route in 660 cycles. The side effects among the patients who
used the contraceptive pills vaginally were nausea in four subjects (1.8%), vertigo
and headache in two subjects (0.9%), breast tenderness in four subjects (1.8%),
dysmenorrhea in four subjects (1.8%), gastrointestinal disorders in one subject
(0.5%), and BTB (breakthrough bleeding) in twelve subjects (5.5%). Most subjects
in this study expressed a high level of acceptability with the vaginal route.
There was only one unwanted pregnancy that occurred when the subject used the
contraceptive pill incorrectly. Using contraceptive pills administered by the vaginal
route appears to be a safe method with few side effects and high acceptability.