Original scientific paper
Use of the Oral Contraceptive Pill by Austrian Adolescents with Emphasis on the Age of Onset, Side Effects, Compliance and Lifestyle
S. Brunnhuber
S. Kirchengast
Abstract
The present study investigated the use of the oral contraceptive pill in 880 Austrian
high school girls. All participants filled in a questionnaire on lifestyle and menarche.
Furthermore, subjects on the pill were asked about their preparation, age at first use,
reasons why they take it, side effects and oral contraceptive compliance. All 139 subjects
on the pill used low dose monophasic preparations. The girls started the pill at a mean
age of 16.0 0.9 years for contraceptive and therapeutic reasons. The most commonly
noted side effects were weight gain, an increase in breast size, fatigue and depression.
The results also indicate that most users comply sufficiently. Regarding lifestyle, it can
be stated that there is a correlation between the use of the pill and smoking, the frequency
of consuming alcoholic drinks and being physically active.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
28287
URI
Publication date:
16.12.2002.
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