A qualitative analysis of women's explanations for changing contraception: the importance of non-contraceptive effects. Issue 4 (25th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wigginton, Britta; Harris, Melissa L; Loxton, Deborah; Lucke, Jayne C
• Is Part Of: Journal of family planning and reproductive health care. Volume 42:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 256
• Page End: 262
• Publication Date: 2016-01-25
• Subjects: contraception -- qualitative analysis -- contraceptive discontinuation -- contraceptive changes -- young women -- side-effects; Birth control -- Periodicals; Contraception -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; 613.905
• DOI: 10.1136/jfprhc-2015-101184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-1893

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Women commonly report changing contraceptive methods because of side-effects. However, there is a lack of literature that has thoroughly examined women's perspectives, including why they changed contraception. Aim: Using qualitative data from a contraceptive survey of young Australian women, we explored women's explanations for their recent changes in contraception. Method: A thematic analysis of 1051 responses to a question about why women recently changed contraception was conducted. Results: Themes reflected reasons for changing contraception which included: both contraceptive and non-contraceptive (4%); relationship/sexual (9%); medical (11%); contraceptive (18%); non-contraceptive (41%). A minority of responses were uncoded (17%). Non-contraceptive effects (effects unrelated to pregnancy prevention) featured most frequently in women's reasons for changing contraception. Conclusions: While cessation of various contraceptives due to unwanted side-effects is a well-known phenomenon, this analysis provides evidence of the changing of contraception for its non-contraceptive effects and reframes the notion of 'side-effects'.