Method switching among IUD- and OC-users during the first year of use at a public family planning clinic in Finland.

Researchers used data from charts of 949 clients in 1977 and 593 new clients in 1982 at the family planning clinic of the Turkey Health Center in Turkey Finland to determine contraception continuation rates. In 1977 45.4$ 1st chose an IUD and 99.3% of these chose a Copper T. In 1982 49.4% chose an IUD with most choosing a modern copper IUD (71.7%) followed by the Copper T (21.8%). Despite the change in IUD type IUD continuation rates changed minimally between 1977 and 1982 (73.3% and 71.7% respectively). The major reason for switching contraceptive methods for IUD users during the 1st year was side effects (8.8% in 1977 and 11.9% in 1982). 40% 1st chose an oral contraceptive (OC) in 1977 and 32.2% did in 1982. The leading OCs chosen in 1977 were the combined OC with 30 ug ethylene estradiol *70.5%) and the biphasic OC (16.4%). In 1982 the triphasic OC (53.6%) was the preferred OC followed by the combined OC with 30 ug ethylene estradiol (23.2%) and the low dose OC containing desogestrel (13.9%) and the low dose OC containing desogestrel (13.9%). The continuation rate for OC users climbed 13.2% between 1977-1982 and this was significant. These rates for 1977 and 1982 stood at 53.3% and 66.5% respectively. Like IUD users OC users switched to another contraceptive because of side effects (23.7% in 1977 and 18.8% in 1982). New OCs (triphasic OCs and low dose OCs with desogestrel) and improved choices may have accounted for the increased continuation rate in 1982. The 2nd method chosen after the termination of the initial OC was most often another OC for both years. On the other hand 1st time IUD users most often switched to OCs in 1977. In 1982 however the 2nd method was as likely to be another IUD an OC or other method. In conclusion no matter what the 1st choice was almost 30% switched contraceptive methods during the 1st year.