ArticlePDF Available

Perfil de la solicitante de la píldora postcoital (Levonorgestrel) en unidades de urgencias

Authors:

Figures

No caption available
… 
Content may be subject to copyright.
Cárdenas Cruz DP, et al. - PERFIL DE LA SOLICITANTE DE LA PÍLDORA POSTCOITAL (LEVONORGESTREL) EN UNIDADES DE URGENCIAS
179
ORIGINAL
Perfil de la solicitante de la píldora postcoital (Levonorgestrel)
en unidades de urgencias
Cárdenas Cruz DP
1
, Parrilla Ruiz F
2
, Mengíbar Gómez MM
3
, Espinosa Fernández M
3
, Issa
Khozouz Ziad
1
, Cárdenas Cruz A
4
.
1
Especialista en Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria,
2
MIR. MFyC,
3
Médico de Familia. Centro de Salud de Adra.
Almería,
4
Especialista en Medicina Intensiva y Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias. Responsable de Unidad de Urgencias.
Unidad de Urgencias. Área Integrada de Gestión de Cuidados Crítios y Urgencias. Empresa Pública Hospital de Po-
niente. El Ejido. Almería.
Correspondencia: Francisco Manuel Parrilla Ruiz. Avenida del Mediterráneo, 74-
3.º B. 04770-Adra. Almería.
Teléfono: 699 846 790
Recibido el 13-03-2002; aceptado para su publicación el 13-05-2002.
Medicina de Familia (And) 2002; 3: 179-183
27
PERFIL DE LA SOLICITANTE DE LA PÍLDORA POSTCOITAL (LE-
VONORGESTREL) EN UNIDADES DE URGENCIAS
Objetivo: Realizar un perfil de la mujer que acude a Urgencias de-
mandando la anticoncepción postcoital como objetivo principal.
Determinar el motivo de solicitud como objetivo secundario.
Diseño: Estudio transversal durante un periodo de 9 meses (20/
05/01 – 20/02/02).
Ámbito de estudio: Unidad de Urgencias. Área Integrada de Ges-
tión de Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias. Empresa Pública Hospital de
Poniente. EL Ejido. Almería y Servicio de Urgencias del Centro Sa-
lud de Adra. Almería.
Sujetos: Mujeres que acuden a Urgencias solicitando la anticoncep-
ción postcoital.
Mediciones: Se realizó una entrevista personal mediante encuesta
(unificada en todos los Servicios de Urgencias del S.A.S.) a todas las
solicitantes donde se preguntaba: Edad, Horas desde el coito de ries-
go, Uso anterior de anticoncepción postcoital, Anticoncepción habitual,
Motivo de la solicitud, Causas de no-prescripción y Observaciones.
Resultados : En el periodo de estudio acudieron 446 mujeres que
solicitaron la anticoncepción postcoital, al 100% se le prescribió y se
le administró gratuitamente. La edad media de la mujer fue de 21,3
± 5,4 años siendo el 87% menores de 30 años. Acudieron a urgen-
cias en menos de 24 horas postcoital el 91 %, entre 24 –48 horas el
5 % y entre 48-72 horas un 4 %. El 88 % de las solicitantes no usa-
ron con anterioridad anticoncepción postcoital, 12 % restante alguna
vez. El 85 % utilizaba como anticonceptivo habitual el Preservativo,
9 % Hormonal, 5% ninguno, 1% Dispositivo intrauterino (DIU). El
motivo de solicitud de la píldora postcoital: 83 % rotura de preserva-
tivo, 15 % no uso de método anticonceptivo, 1 % olvidó toma del an-
ticonceptivo hormonal, 1 % otras causas: Agresiones sexuales.
Conclusiones: El perfil de la mujer que solicita la píldora postcoi-
tal es una joven de unos 21 años, que utiliza el preservativo como
método anticonceptivo habitual, que con anterioridad refiere no uso
de la anticoncepción postcoital y acude a Urgencias antes de las 24
horas postcoital por rotura de preservativo.
Palabras clave: Píldora postcoital, Levonorgestrel, Anticoncepción
postcoital.
PROFILE OF THE PETITIONER OF THE POST-COITAL PILL (LE-
VONORGESTREL) IN EMERGENCY SERVICES
Goal: The primary goal is to obtain a profile on women who use
emergency room services to request a post-coital birth control pill.
The secondary goal is to determine the reason for that request.
Methodology: Cross sectional study over a nine-month period (20/
05/01 – 20/02/02).
Setting: Emergency Unit, Integrated Area of Critical Care Manage-
ment and Emergencies in the publicly owned Poniente Hospital of
El Ejido, Almeria and in the Emergency Service located in the Adra
Health Center in Almeria.
Population and Sample: Women who come to the emergency
room services requesting a post-coital birth control pill.
Interventions: A personal interview was carried out following a sin-
gle questionnaire (used by all of the SAS’s - regional Andalusian
Health Services - emergency services). All those who requested the
pill were asked their age, how many hours had passed since sexual
intercourse took place, previous use of post-coital emergency con-
traception, usual birth control method used, reason for the request,
causes of non-prescription, and observations.
Results: During the period under study 446 women visited the ser-
vices and requested a post-coital birth control pill, which was pres-
cribed in 100% of the cases and administered to them at no cost.
The women’s average age was 21.3 ± 5.4 years and 87% were un-
der age 30. 91% of them came to emergency services in less than
24 hours after sexual intercourse, 5% came between 24-48 hours,
and 4% of them came between 48-72 hours. 88% of the petitioners
had not previously used post-coital emergency contraception. The
remaining 12% had used it on some occasion. 85% responded that
condoms were their usual birth control method, 9% used hormones,
5% no contraceptive method at all, and 1 % the intrauterine device
(IUD). Motives for requesting the day-after pill: 83% due to a ruptu-
red condom, 15% because they had not used any birth control me-
thod, 1% had forgotten to take their birth control pill, and 1% alle-
ged other causes – sexual aggression.
Conclusions: The profile of requests for the post-coital pill shows
a young woman of about 21 years of age whose primary birth con-
trol method is the condom, who has never used the post-coital pill
on any previous occasion, and who comes to emergency services
within 24 hours following sexual intercourse with a ruptured condom.
Key words: The post-coital pill, the day-after pill, Levonorgestrel,
emergency contraception
Medicina de Familia (And) Vol. 3, N.º 3, septiembre 2002
180 28
Introducción
La
1
Emergencia Anticonceptiva Postcoital(AE) se lleva a
cabo desde el año 1977 con el conocido Método de Yuz-
pe aún vigente,
2
consiste en la administración de un com-
binado de estrógeno-progestágenos divididos en dos do-
sis antes de las 72 horas postcoitales. A partir de 1984
aparecen los primeros estudios con Levonorgestrel (0,75
mg en dos dosis/ 12 horas) donde comparan la efectivi-
dad y la tolerancia con el Método de Yuzppe, llegando a
la conclusión que el
3,4,5,6
Levonorgestrel es más efecti-
vo y produce menos efectos secundarios, consiguiendo
una efectividad de un 88%, además se pone hincapié por
investigadores en demostrar que
7
no es un método abor-
tivo, actua inhibiendo la implantación, Grimes en una car-
ta dirigida al Comité Editorial del New England conside-
ra que la Anticoncepción de Emergencia no es un méto-
do abortivo puesto que la gestación comienza con la im-
plantación no con la fertilización. A pesar de todos los
años de estudio aún la Anticoncepción de Emergencia es
desconocida por parte de la población, en un estudio
Finlandés se analizó el conocimiento de la Anticoncep-
ción de Emergencia, se demostró que solo un 30% de
las mujeres mayores de 35 años conocía la Anticoncep-
ción de Emergencia, así como en un estudio Francés
donde 300 mujeres que realizaron una Interrupción Vo-
luntaria del Embarazo(IVE) el 73% desconocía la AE,
dentro del mundo sanitario se analizó los conocimientos
de enfermeros y estudiantes de enfermería nigerianos
sobre métodos de anticoncepción solo el 2,6% citó la
Anticoncepción de Emergencia.
8
En 1999 comienza el
cambio en Europa, se va instaurando el concepto del
Levonorgestrel como emergencia anticonceptiva post-
coital desplazando al Método Yuzppe hasta que
9
en el
2000 se comercializa en Francia. A España llega en el
2001 y a los pocos meses la
10
Consejería de Salud de
la Junta de Andalucía aprobó la prescripción y la admi-
nistración de la Anticoncepción Postcoital (Levonores-
trel) en las Unidades de Urgencias del Servicio Andaluz
de Salud (S.A.S) de manera gratuita.
El objetivo de nuestro estudio es la realización de un Perfil
de la Solicitante de la Píldora
Postcoital en Unidades de Urgencias así como del Moti-
vo más frecuente de la Solicitud.
Material y métodos
Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado durante el periodo del 20/
05/01 al 20/02/02.
El ámbito de estudio son la Unidad de Urgencias perteneciente al Área
Integrada de Gestión de Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias de la Empresa
Pública Hospital de Poniente. El Ejido. Almería y el Servicio de Urgen-
cias del Centro Salud de Adra. Almería.
Los sujetos del estudio fueron 446 mujeres que demandaron la píldora
postcoital en urgencias en el periodo de estudio.
Los criterios de inclusión fueron: ser mujer en edad fértil, solicitar la píl-
dora postcoital antes de las 72 horas postcoitales.
A todas las solicitantes de la emergencia anticonceptiva se les realizó
una entrevista personal (Unificada en todos los Servicios de Urgencias
de la Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía). Las variables de
estudio fueron:
1.–Edad
2.–Horas desde el coito de riesgo
3.–Uso anterior de anticoncepción postcoital:
SI Nº de veces
NO
NO SABE
4.–Anticoncepción habitual:
NINGUNA
PRESERVATIVO
HORMONAL
DIU
OTROS
5.–Motivo de la solicitud:
NO USÓ EL MÉTODO ANTICONCEPTIVO
ROTURA DEL PRESERVATIVO
OLVIDO ANTICONCEPCIÓN HORMONAL
OTROS
6.–Causas de no prescripción:
TRANSCURRE MÁS DE 72 HORAS POSCOITALES
OTRAS
7.–Observaciones:
Se realiza análisis descriptivo y de frecuencias mediante paquete es-
tadístico SSPS.
Resultados
En el periodo de estudio acudieron a las Unidades de
Urgencias de la E.P Hospital de Poniente y Servicio de
Urgencias del Centro de Salud de Adra 446 mujeres que
solicitaron la anticoncepción postcoital, al 100% se le
prescribió y se le administró gratuitamente. La edad me-
dia de la mujer fue de 21,3 ± 5,4 años siendo el 87%
menores de 30 años.
Acudieron a urgencias en menos de 24 horas postcoital
el 91 %, entre 24 –48 horas el 5 % y entre 48-72 horas
un 4 %. (Gráfica1).
El 88 % de las solicitantes no usaron con anterioridad
anticoncepción postcoital, 12 % restante alguna vez.
El 85 % utilizaba como anticonceptivo habitual el Preser-
vativo, 9 % Hormonal, 5% ninguno, 1% Dispositivo intrau-
terino (DIU). (Gráfica 2).
El motivo de solicitud de la píldora postcoital: 83 % rotu-
ra de preservativo, 15 % no uso de método anticoncepti-
vo, 1 % olvidó toma del anticonceptivo hormonal, 1 %
otras causas: Agresiones sexuales. (Gráfica 3).
Observaciones: ninguna.
Discusión
La evolución de la mujer en la sociedad y el derecho de
libertad a elegir el momento de quedarse embarazada ha
Cárdenas Cruz DP, et al. - PERFIL DE LA SOLICITANTE DE LA PÍLDORA POSTCOITAL (LEVONORGESTREL) EN UNIDADES DE URGENCIAS
18129
hecho que los métodos de anticoncepción sean una rea-
lidad. Queremos señalar en nuestro estudio que la de-
mandante de la Píldora Postcoital suele ser una joven de
21 años y que el 87% es menor de 30 años donde un
embarazo no deseado es más frecuente debido a la situa-
ción socioeconómica.
11
En Estados Unidos aproximada-
mente se producen 3,5 millones de embarazos no desea-
dos y 1/3 se debe al fallo de los métodos anticonceptivos.
La Píldora Postcoital surge cuando esos métodos fallan
o no se realizan adecuadamente. En nuestro estudio
comprobamos que la “ Rotura del Preservativo” es la cau-
sa (83%) más frecuente de solicitud de la Píldora Post-
coital.
1 2,13
En estudios españoles e
14
internacionales los
resultados son similares, nos llamó
la atención un
15
estudio sueco don-
de el motivo más frecuente de soli-
citud de píldora postcoital era el no
uso de ningún método anticoncepti-
vo. La duda que se nos planteó y
nos planteamos es si verdadera-
mente la solicitante nos decía la ver-
dad o la rotura de preservativo era la
causa menos engorrosa para expli-
car la solicitud.
7
Hay que tener en
cuenta que la población que la soli-
cita son jóvenes que bien por temor,
pudor, a veces ni se plantean la po-
sibilidad de acudir a una urgencias
para demandar la Píldora postcoital.
Parece existir un consenso entre los
interesados de la Anticoncepción de
Emergencia que sugieren que la
mejoría de la accesibilidad puede reducir drásticamente
los embarazos no deseados y las IVE. Entre las medidas
sugieren; la implicación de otros profesionales sanitarios
en su prescripción como farmacéuticos y la libre dispen-
sación de la Anticoncepción de emergencia, la OMS con-
sidera que debido a la seguridad y ausencia de efectos
secundarios, así como la ausencia de contraindicaciones
podría ser prescrita libremente, esta experiencia se rea-
lizó en Nueva Zelanda con buenos resultados.
La administración de la Píldora Postcoital comienza con
la primera dosis que se toma vía oral en presencia del
facultativo y la segunda dosis se la damos para que se la
tome a las 12 horas junto con un folleto donde se dan ins-
trucciones de cómo utilizar el medi-
camento (Levonorgestrel), que me-
dicamentos no puede tomar a la
vez, efectos secundarios, informa-
ción sobre todos los métodos anti-
conceptivos y el teléfono de Infor-
mación Sexual para jóvenes. Al
100% de las solicitantes se le admi-
nistró la Píldora Postcoital, la mayo-
ría (88%) nunca había utilizado la
emergencia anticonceptiva postcoi-
tal con anterioridad y el 100% acu-
dió antes de las 72 Horas señalan-
do que el 91% acudió antes de las
24 horas.
La conclusión de nuestro trabajo
“Perfil de la Solicitante de la Píldo-
ra Postcoital en Unidades de Ur-
gencias”; 1º) una joven de unos 21
años, 2º) que utiliza el preservativo
como método anticonceptivo habi-
HORAS DE SOLICITUD POSTCOITAL
Gráfica 1. % de solicitantes de la píldora postcoital que acudieron en las primeras 24 horas,
entre las 24-48 hotas, 48-72 horas postcoitales
ANTICONCEPCIÓN HABITUAL
Gráfica 2. Métodos de anticoncepción habitual en las solicitantes de la píldora postcoital.
Ninguna: No utilización de ningún método de anticoncepción.
Preserv.: Utiliza como método de anticoncepción el preservativo.
Hormonal: Utiliza la anticoncepción hormonal oral.
DIU: Dispositivo intrauterino.
Medicina de Familia (And) Vol. 3, N.º 3, septiembre 2002
182 30
tual, 3º) que con anterioridad refiere no uso de la anticon-
cepción postcoital y 4º) acude a Urgencias antes de las
24 horas postcoital por rotura de preservativo.
Desde la prescripción y administración gratuita de la Píl-
dora Postcoital nos preguntábamos varias cuestiones;
¿se favorecerían las enfermedades de transmisión
sexual?
8
Encontramos un estudio sueco donde mujeres
que acudían solicitando la Píldora Postcoital tras una re-
lación sin protección no aumentaba la probabilidad de
tener enfermedades de transmisión sexual, ¿ que respon-
sabilidades puede incurrir el facultativo que prescriba a
pacientes menores de edad, sin conocimiento de sus pa-
dres o tutores, la píldora postcoital?
1
Esto supone un con-
flicto para el facultativo que asume una posición delica-
da entre el derecho del menor que acude por si mismo a
los servicios de urgencias y el derecho de los padres a
dirigir la educación de sus hijos. La problemática se plan-
tea ante la ausencia de una ley sobre el tema, basándo-
se en el articulo 11 de la Ley de Protección Jurídica del
Menor y sintetizando, el menor tiene capacidad por si solo
de acceder a las prestaciones sanitarias si cumple la “mi-
noría madura”, determinar si el menor cuenta con el su-
ficiente juicio para solicitar y someterse a la anticoncep-
ción postcoital corresponde al facultativo que la prescri-
be, en casos extremos que el facultativo no pueda deter-
minar si es “menor madura” podrá interconsultar con otros
especialistas; psicólogo o psiquiatra para ayudarle a de-
terminar el grado de madurez de la menor, si el facultati-
vo prescriptor constata la minoría madura, en principio
ningún grado de responsabili-
dad cabría imputarle. ¿El facul-
tativo puede no prescribir la píl-
dora postcoital según su obje-
ción de conciencia?
1
No hay
ninguna ley al respecto pero
para afrontar esta cuestión nos
basamos en la Sentencia del
Tribunal Constitucional 53/
1985,de 11 abril, interpretándo-
la, el facultativo tiene el recono-
cimiento a la objeción de con-
ciencia. Actualmente para solu-
cionar provisionalmente el pro-
blema y que la paciente no se
perjudique si le atiende un fa-
cultativo objetor de conciencia,
la paciente es atendida por otro
facultativo no objetor.
Hemos sacado varias conclu-
siones de trabajos internaciona-
les donde afirman la efectividad
de la Píldora Postcoital como
prevención ante un embarazo
no deseado, la necesidad de Sistemas de Educación
Sexual para jóvenes, mejorar la accesibilidad de la Píldo-
ra Postcoital, como finalidad evitar como ejemplo un
16
mi-
llón de abortos en Estados Unidos por embarazos no de-
seados. Con esto queremos estimular a nuestros compa-
ñeros a seguir estudiando sobre el tema y a informar a
todas sus pacientes en edad reproductiva la eficacia y la
disponibilidad de la Píldora Postcoital.
Agradecimientos
Estamos agradecidos a todo el personal de la Unidad de Urgencias.
Área Integrada de Gestión de Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias y al Area
Integrada de Gestión de Farmacia Hospitalaria. Empresa Pública Hos-
pital de Poniente. Ejido. Almería, y al Servicio de Urgencias del Centro
de Salud de Adra, Almería, por su colaboración y a la inestimable ayu-
da de nuestro amigo D. José Miguel Rodríguez Nieto por la realización
al inglés del Abstract.
Bibliografía
1. Álvarez D, Arribas L, Cabero L, Lete I, Ollé C, De Lorenzo R. Guía
de actuación en Anticoncepción de Emergencia. La píldora del día
después. Pulso ediciones 2002.
2. Wellbery C. Emergency contraception. Arch Fam Med 2000; 9:
642-6.
3. Task Force on Postovulatory Methods of Fertility Regulation. Ran-
domised, controlled trial of Levonorgestrel versus the Yuzpe regi-
men of combined oral contraceptives for emergency contraception.
Lancet 1998; 352: 428-33.
4. Spycher C, Bigler G. Postcoital emergency contraception. Ther
Umsch 2001; 58: 541-6.
MOTIVO SOLICITUD
PÍLDORA POSTCOITAL
Expresión %
Gráfica 3. Los motivos de la solicitud de la píldora postcoital.
Rotura Pre.: Rotura de preservativo.
No AC: No uso de método de anticoncepción.
Olvido de ACH: Olvido de anticoncepción hormonal.
Otras.
Cárdenas Cruz DP, et al. - PERFIL DE LA SOLICITANTE DE LA PÍLDORA POSTCOITAL (LEVONORGESTREL) EN UNIDADES DE URGENCIAS
183
5. Ho PC. Emergency contraception: methods and efficacy. Curr Opin
Obstet Gynecol 2000; 12: 175-9.
6. Cheng L, Gulmezoglu AM, Ezcurra E, Van Look PF. Intervention for
emergency contraception. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;
CD001234.
7. Lete Lasa I, Arróniz M, Esquisábel R. Anticoncepción de Emergen-
cia. Aten Primaria 2001; 28: 59-68.
8. Camp SI. The status of dedicated products. J Am Med Womens
Assoc 1998; 53 (Suppl 2): 225.
9. Gainer E, Mery C, Ulmann A. Levonorgestrel-only emergency con-
traception: real-world tolerance and efficacy. Contraception 2001;
64: 17-21.
10. Acedo F. Salud ha dispensado 88 píldoras postcoitales al día des-
de mayo.7DM 2001; 499: 34.
11. Klima CS. Emergency contraception for midwifery practice. J. Nur-
se Midwifery. 1998; 43: 182-9.
12. Guillen Martínez E, Madrid Balbás A, González Santo Tomás R,
Reguera Cámara A, Gallastegi Ruiz de Egino, García Martínez F.
Análisis de las demandantes de la anticioncepción postcoital de
urgencia. Actas del XXI Congreso Nacional de Medicina de Fami-
lia y Comunitaria; 2001 Noviembre 14-17; San Sebastian. Socie-
dad española de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, 2001.
13. Pablo Vázquez MD, Romero de Castilla Gil RJ, Fernández Romero
E, Galán Doval CJ, Del Campo Molina E. Anticoncepción postcoi-
tal en las urgencias de un hospital comarcal. Carasterísticas de
uso. Actas del XXI Congreso Nacional de Medicina de Familia y
Comunitaria; 2001 Noviembre 14-17; San Sebastian. Sociedad es-
pañola de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, 2001.
14. Espinos JJ, Senosiain R, Aura M, Vanrell C, Armengol J, Cuberas
N et al. Safety and effectiveness of hormonal postcoital contracep-
tion: a prospective study. Eur J Contracep Reprod Health Care
1999; 4: 27-33.
15. Falk G, Falk L, Hanson U, Milson I. Young women requesting emer-
gency contraception are, despite contraceptive counseling, a high
risk group for new unintended pregnancies. Contraception 200l; 64:
23-7.
16. Grow DR, Ahmed S. New Contraceptive methods. Obstet Gynecol
Clin North Am 2000; 27: 901-16.
31
... There are 11 previous studies on ECC in our setting, published between 1997 and 2008 [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . Of these, only three included LNG 8,12,14 . ...
... There are 11 previous studies on ECC in our setting, published between 1997 and 2008 [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . Of these, only three included LNG 8,12,14 . Table 3 shows a summary of these studies. ...
... Table 3 shows a summary of these studies. Mean patient age in the present study [24.3 (6.8) years] is consistent with that reported in the literature [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . However, the percentage of minors (13.4%) is far from the 35% reported by Lete 9 and closer to that reported by Aguinaga 6 (12.3%) and Ruiz Sanz 7 (9.9%). ...
Article
Full-text available
Objetivo: Describir nuestra experiencia de tres años en la dispensación en urgencias de la anticoncepción de emergencia (ACE). Método: Estudio descriptivo desde octubre de 2004 a septiembre de 2007 de las pacientes que solicitaron ACE en nuestro servicio de urgencias. Se recogió la edad, número de veces que se había solicitado, tiempo transcurrido desde la última vez, método anticonceptivo utilizado y causa del fracaso, así como el tiempo de demora. Resultados: Se atendieron 1.006 mujeres. La media de edad fue de 24,3 (6,8) años; un 13,4% eran menores y el 16,8% tenía más de 30 años. El 48,3% de las pacientes había requerido una ACE previa (el 74% en una ocasión, el 17,8 % en dos y el resto en tres o más veces). Las mujeres con mayor número de reincidencias eran más jóvenes [21 (6,5) vs 24,7 (7,3) años; P = 0,028]. Las reincidencias en los primeros 6 meses [143 casos (35,4%)] eran también más jóvenes [22,9 (6,5) vs 24,8 (5,9) años; P = 0,003]. La causa más frecuente de fracaso fue la rotura del preservativo en el 78% de casos. La demora en la solicitud de ACE fue de 12 (19) horas y sólo en dos casos se superó el límite de 72 horas. Tanto las menores de 18 años como las de más de 30 años acudían más tarde que el resto [16 (18) y 15 (17) horas vs 12 (19); P = 0,009]. Conclusiones: Las mujeres que solicitan ACE en los servicios de urgencias suelen ser jóvenes y reincidentes, por lo que se debería mejorar la información acerca de que este método no es una medida más de anticoncepción, sino un método de utilización excepcional.
... Existen 11 estudios previos en nuestro medio sobre ACE, publicados entre 1997 y 2008 [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . De ellos, sólo tres utilizan LNG 8,12,14 . ...
... Existen 11 estudios previos en nuestro medio sobre ACE, publicados entre 1997 y 2008 [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . De ellos, sólo tres utilizan LNG 8,12,14 . En la Tabla 3 exponemos un resumen de dichos estudios. ...
... En la Tabla 3 exponemos un resumen de dichos estudios. La edad media de las pacientes de este trabajo [24, 3 (6,8) años] es coincidente con la referida en la literatura [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . Sin embargo, el porcentaje de menores de edad (13,4%) está lejos del 35% referido por Lete 9 , siendo más cercano a los referidos por Aguinaga 6 (12,3%) y Ruiz Sanz 7 (9,9%). ...
Article
Full-text available
OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience dispensing postcoital contraceptives (PCCs) in the emergency department over a 3-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of patients asking for PCCs in the emergency department between October 2004 and September 2007. We collected data on age, number of times a PCC was sought, time between requests, contraceptive method used and the reason for failure, and delay. RESULTS: We attended 1006 women with a mean (SD) age of 24.3 (6.8) years; 13.4% were minors and 16.8% were over the age of 30 years. A PCC had been needed previously by 48.3% of the patients (74% of them once before, 17.8% twice before; and the remainder, 3 or more times before). The women who needed these agents more than once were younger (21 [6.5] years vs 24.7 [7.3] years, P=.028). Recurrence within 6 months (143 cases [35.4%]) was also more common among younger women (22.9 [6.5] years vs 24.8 [5.9] years, P=.003). The most common reason for contraceptive failure was condom breakage (78% of the cases). Delay in seeking a PCC was 12 (19) hours. In only 2 cases had the 72-hour limit passed. The time elapsed was longer for women under the age of 18 years (16 [18] hours) and over the age of 30 years (15 [17] hours) than for women in the intermediate age bracket (12 [19] hours) (P=.009). CONCLUSIONS: Women who seek a PCC in the emergency department are usually young and have used these agents before. It is important to educate this population that PCCs are not a contraceptive option for routine use, but rather one to resort to on rare occasions. OBJETIVO: Describir nuestra experiencia de tres años en la dispensación en urgencias de la anticoncepción de emergencia (ACE). MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo desde octubre de 2004 a septiembre de 2007 de las pacientes que solicitaron ACE en nuestro servicio de urgencias. Se recogió la edad, número de veces que se había solicitado, tiempo transcurrido desde la última vez, método anticonceptivo utilizado y causa del fracaso, así como el tiempo de demora. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron 1.006 mujeres. La media de edad fue de 24,3 (6,8) años; un 13,4% eran menores y el 16,8% tenía más de 30 años. El 48,3% de las pacientes había requerido una ACE previa (el 74% en una ocasión, el 17,8 % en dos y el resto en tres o más veces). Las mujeres con mayor número de reincidencias eran más jóvenes [21 (6,5) vs 24,7 (7,3) años; P = 0,028]. Las reincidencias en los primeros 6 meses [143 casos (35,4%)] eran también más jóvenes [22,9 (6,5) vs 24,8 (5,9) años; P = 0,003]. La causa más frecuente de fracaso fue la rotura del preservativo en el 78% de casos. La demora en la solicitud de ACE fue de 12 (19) horas y sólo en dos casos se superó el límite de 72 horas. Tanto las menores de 18 años como las de más de 30 años acudían más tarde que el resto [16 (18) y 15 (17) horas vs 12 (19); P = 0,009]. CONCLUSIONES: Las mujeres que solicitan ACE en los servicios de urgencias suelen ser jóvenes y reincidentes, por lo que se debería mejorar la información acerca de que este método no es una medida más de anticoncepción, sino un método de utilización excepcional.
... y América, en la cual la población de mujeres reincidentes de esta anticoncepción de emergencia llega hasta un 33%, por lo tanto, el término "píldoras anticonceptivas de emergencia", es el adecuado al transmitir el importante mensaje de que no deben ser utilizadas como un método anticonceptivo regular (6,(15)(16)(17)(18), enfatizándose la importancia de la consejería pos anticoncepción de emergencia. ...
... Ambas prescripciones, fueron solicitadas en un 53,2% de las veces, antes de las 24 horas. En países europeos y norteamericanos un mayor porcentaje de usuarias asisten a los centros de salud más precozmente que en nuestro país, debido a los horarios de atención de los servicios más adecuados a este tipo de demanda(6,8,16).En relación al número de veces que las usuarias solicitaron la anticoncepción de emergencia, solo un 6,4% lo había solicitado más de una vez. Esta demanda es diferente a los centros de Europa ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: In Chile approximately 475,297 women are in risk of unwanted pregnancies and induced abor-tions, either because of low effectiveness contraceptive use or not use at all. Objective: To determine the biosocial profile of users who demand the pill of emergency contraception once they were available to the beneficiaries of a primary care health service. Method: This investigation analyzed sociodemographic cha-racteristics and background obstetric-gynecological of 93 medical files of women who requested emergency contraception in a Primary Care Health of the Central Región Metropolitan Santiago, between the second semester of 2006 at first semester of 2007. Results: The profile obtained was a young woman of 23.6 years, single, student, benefician/ exempt of paying in the public health system, with an age of onset sexual in-tercourse of 16.2 years, who has had between one and two sexual partners, without children, who are not using a regular contraceptive method, and who consults mainly by having unprotected sexual intercourse in the last 24 hours. Conclusions: The profile identified corresponds to a population of unprotected sexual conduct, with a high risk of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion, which should be incorporated into regular programmes of fertility control.
... Sin embargo, pese a que lo deseable es que la ACU sea, ciertamente, un método contraceptivo excepcional, los estudios publicados en España sobre ACU muestran porcentajes de utilización previa del método que en ocasiones son extraordinariamente elevados, que oscilan entre el 5,3 y el 60% [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] . ...
Article
Full-text available
Introducción La anticoncepción de urgencia (ACU) se puede definir como la utilización de un fármaco o dispo-sitivo con el fin de prevenir el embarazo después de una relación sexual de riesgo 1,2 . Las circunstan-cias que indican su utilización comprenden: la práctica de un coito sin protección, un accidente en la utilización de un método anticonceptivo re-gular y los casos de agresión sexual. En el año 2001 el Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo autorizó el uso de levonorgestrel como método anticonceptivo de emergencia 3 . Se trata de un método introducido en los años 80 como alternativa a los preparados con estrógenos y mu-cho mejor tolerado que éstos. Inicialmente se ad-ministraba a dosis de 750 µg cada 12 horas, pero posteriormente se comprobó que su administra-ción en una sola dosis de 1.500 µg era igual de efectiva 4 . Es un método seguro y eficaz tanto en adolescentes 5 como en mujeres de más edad. No es un fármaco abortígeno 1,6 , aunque ésta sea la principal causa de reticencia en su prescripción por parte de algunos facultativos 7
Article
Results: State anxiety scores were low in 10.8% of the participants, middle in 25.7% and high in the 63.5%. On the other hand, the scores for trait anxiety were low in 13.5%, middle in 39.2% and high in 47.3%. The demand for EC resulted in a stressful situation for women, especially for youngest women. Also, married women with children and a history of pregnancy terminations showed higher anxiety scores. Regarding sexual attitudes, the highest levels of anxiety (state and trait) were found in women with less knowledge about EC, and in those who reported less satisfaction with their sex life. Best fit regression models for anxiety levels included beliefs that ECs are abortive, sexual dissatisfaction and women's age as predictive variables for STAI scores. In conclusion, women who requested EC showed high scores in anxiety-state and -trait, with those of younger age presenting more intense emotions.
Article
Full-text available
Objective: to discern the profile of the Spanish Emergency Contraceptive users (EC). Design: systematic review of contraceptive use in the Spanish population. Data Source: Spanish and international databases, between January 2006 - March 2011. Keywords: Contraceptives, Postcoital pills, emergency contraception, levonorgestrel, data collection. Study selection: original papers, letters to the editor in which stated aims were the description, prediction or measurement of variables related to EC use. Twenty-two papers were retrieved and fourteen were finally selected, all of which were descriptive. Data extraction: manuscripts were evaluated by two independent reviewers. Results: Women requesting EC have ages between 21-24 years, mostly single and university students; declare that they have not previously used EC, and attend an Emergency department, at weekends and within 48 hours following unprotected sexual intercourse. The reason is condom rupture. None of the studies reviewed measured alcohol and other drug consumption, the number of sexual partners, nor any of the studies performed a comparison with a group not using EC. Conclusions: lack of homogeneity and comprehensiveness of studied variables resulted in a limited profile of Spanish EC users. Further studies are needed with a more comprehensive approach if sexual health interventions are to be carried out in possible users.
Article
Full-text available
Background: In Chile, the information about the characteristics of the users of emergency contraception pill is limited. In addition, some studies have revealed barriers to access to this method, despite the law guarantees its provision. Objectives: To enquire the profile of emergency contraceptive pills users and the barriers to its access in public health services. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. Clinical forms of users who requested the emergency contraceptive pill in Prosalud Chile from January 2012 to March 2013 were revised, in order to analyze age, reason to use, previous use and non-access history in public health services. Results: 520 clinical forms were analyzed. Users mean age was 21.8 ± 6.8 years. 50% of women demanded the pill because they did not use any contraceptive and another half because the contraceptive failed. 71.7% had never used the pill previously and only 0.8% (3 women) used it three and four times before. 8,8% could not obtain the pill in public health services. Conclusions: The majority of the emergency contraceptive pills users are young and they use it because they did not use a contraceptive or the contraceptive failed. The previous and frequent use is low. There are still barriers to access to emergency contraceptive pills in public health services.
Article
Objective Describe user profile of emergency contraceptions and the characteristics of demand for this drug. Material and methods Descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in primary care emergency setting in urban area. Participants were patients who requested the day after pill in such emergencies. Results General characteristics: 132 women, whose mean age was 22.9 years (range 14-46 years). Social characteristics: 85.6% were single, 12.1% married and 2.3% separated. Regarding study level, 45.8% were students, 18.2% had primary studies, 66.7% secondary and 15.2% upper education. Reasons for the demand were due to failure of barrier method or condom in 75.8%, 17.7% did not use any contraceptive method and 6.5% attributed it to other reasons. The months of greatest demand were August, September and December. Saturday and Sunday were the days on which it was requested most. Mean hours since the intercourse without protection until request of the medication was 14.5. Up to 24.4% of the women had already previously used the emergency contraception. Conclusion The user profile of emergency contraceptives adjusts to its description in other studies. There is an abusive or bad use of the day after pill and low use of barrier methods.
Article
To establish the emergency contraception (EC) users profile and whether she perceives this type of contraception as an emergency. Design. Cross sectorial study (over one year period: March 2002-March 2003). Emergency Services in Primary Care. Usera and Carabanchel; 11th Area; Madrid. Women requesting EC in these centres. A questionary was filled out for all participants with their age, how many hours had spent since sexual intercourse took place (within 24 h), usual method of contraception used, previous use of EC, level of education, and reason for this request. 89 women. Drops out: 0. Average age: 23.7+/-48 years (range: 16-40 years). 79.8% of them came to medical emergency services in less than 24 h after sexual intercourse. Usual anticonceptive method was the condom (88.8%), 2.2% used hormones, 9% no contraceptive method at all and none of them had used the intrauterine device. 34.8% were previous users of EC. Education levels: 2.2% of women only could read and write, elementary school (37.1%), secondary school (34.8%) and high school (25.8%). Reasons for requesting EC: 91% condom failure, 7.9% not to have used any contraceptive method, and 1.1% wrong use of natural birth control methods. Among the women who had went to the emergency services within the 24 h of the sexual intercourse the 77.4% of all of them had requested EC previously and the 93% of those had requested EC for the first time (P=.032). Likewise all of them with high school level and who could write and read, the 93.9% with elementary school level, and the 71% with secondary studies went to the emergency services within the 24 h of the non protected sexual intercourse (P=.05). Most of the women were young, they perceived the unprotected sexual intercourses as an emergency, the condom was the most frequently used anticonceptive method, they requested EC due to condom breakage. In 1/3 of the cases the EC had been requested previously and this group and the young women with secondary studies one were who requested it later.
Article
Full-text available
Since its introduction in Sweden in 1994, emergency contraception has become a welcome addition to the campaign against unwanted pregnancy. In addition to an unplanned pregnancy, unprotected sexual intercourse may also involve the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The aim of this study was to assess the short- and long-term risk of unintended pregnancy and to determine the frequency of chlamydia infections in women receiving emergency contraception. Between September 1998 and February 1999 young women aged 15-25 years had the opportunity to obtain emergency contraception (Yuzpe method) at a youth clinic in the city of Orebro where the opening hours were extended to include Saturdays and Sundays. A follow-up visit 3 weeks after treatment, which included contraceptive counseling, was offered to all participants. At both visits, a pregnancy test and a chlamydia test were performed, and the women completed a questionnaire. After the initial visit, the young women where monitored for new pregnancies during the following 12 months. One pregnancy occurred in the 134 young women who received emergency contraception during the study period. None of the women had a positive chlamydia test. Of those requesting emergency contraception, 54% did so because no contraception was used, 32% because of a ruptured condom, 11% because of missed oral contraceptives (OC), and 5% had mixed reasons. At long-term follow-up 1 year after the initial visit, 10 of the 134 young women had experienced an unplanned pregnancy that terminated in legal abortion in 9 women. All these women had either started and terminated OC or had never commenced the prescribed OC. Young women who request emergency contraception are, despite a planned follow-up with contraceptive counseling, a high risk group for new unintended pregnancies. In Sweden they do not seem to be a high risk group for STD.
Article
La anticoncepcion de emergencia (AE) puede ser definida como la utilizacion de un farmaco o sustancia, un mecanismo o dispositivo, con el fin de prevenir un embarazo despues de una relacion coital desprotegida.
Article
Every year in the United States, there are an estimated 3.5 million unplanned pregnancies with nearly one third of these attributed to contraceptive failures. Despite the availability of effective contraceptive methods, far too many women still experience unwanted pregnancies. It has been estimated that emergency contraception, also referred to as postcoital contraception or "the morning after pill," can reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected intercourse by as much as 75%. When administered within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, emergency contraception, inhibits implantation of a fertilized ovum. The most common method of emergency contraception, the administration of ethinyl estradiol and dL-norgestrel, was initially described by Yuzpe in 1977. In the past 20 years, multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of commonly prescribed combination oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. For those women in whom estrogen is contraindicated, progestin-only pills or the synthetic androgen Danazol have been used with comparable effectiveness rates. For appropriately selected women, an intrauterine device such as the Paraguard T380A (Ortho Pharmaceuticals, Raritan, NJ) also may be inserted within 5-7 days after unprotected intercourse to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy. Despite its success and safety, emergency contraception is underused by women and their health care providers. As providers of comprehensive health care, midwives should provide patients with accurate information concerning pregnancy prevention. For many women, obtaining emergency contraception is an entry into the health care system and provides them an opportunity to be educated about safer sex practices, contraception, and the importance of regular health screening. Regularly discussing emergency contraception with patients at routine health visits will enable them to participate fully in their health care decisions and diminish the physical, psychological, and societal stressors associated with unplanned pregnancy. PIP Midwives have substantial contact with women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and are thus ideally placed to promote use of emergency contraception. Emergency contraception has the potential to reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected intercourse by as much as 75%. Potential candidates for this method are women who have missed multiple contraceptive pills, incorrectly used barrier methods, unsuccessfully relied on withdrawal, were exposed to a possible teratogen, or were sexually assaulted. Multiple studies have confirmed the effectiveness of postcoital regimens such as oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, progestin-only pills, the synthetic androgen Danazol, or IUD insertion. Nonetheless, emergency contraception remains underutilized in the US and other countries. There is a need for health care providers to begin to integrate this method into the routine education offered to women during comprehensive health care visits. Women who use barrier methods or spermicide alone as their primary birth control method may benefit from having emergency contraception readily available. Printed materials about emergency contraception should be placed in waiting rooms, and office staff should be prompted to schedule patients requesting the method immediately. Visits for emergency contraception offer a valuable opportunity to provide education about sexually transmitted diseases, safer sex practices, and the importance of consistent use of reliable contraception.
Article
Emergency contraception (EC) will not become a standard reproductive choice in the absence of dedicated products. Emergency contraception products based on the Yuzpe regimen have been available in Western Europe for a number of years. Levonorgestrel-only products are registered in 29 countries. Dedicated products of both types are being introduced into many developing countries and the United States.
Article
The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics of the population attending our hospital requesting postcoital contraception and to determine the effectiveness of the method and its side-effects. A total of 503 women asking for postcoital contraception were included in a prospective open trial. After filling in a questionnaire dealing with demographic and contraceptive data, we prescribed an ethinylestradiol-levonorgestrel combination (100 micrograms/500 mg for two doses 12 h apart). Only 487 women were available for analysis of demographic data. A further 77 were excluded because they presented irregular menstrual cycles and 55 cases were lost for follow-up. Mean age was 22.6 +/- 5.25 years and 35.9% of cases came to the center within the first 5 h after unprotected intercourse. Only 18.8% had previously asked for postcoital contraception. Breakage of condom was the most common reason for request (81.9%). Two pregnancies occurred in the remaining 355 women. According to Dixon's method 15.5 pregnancies should be expected being the overall efficacy of 87.14%. There were no serious adverse effects. Nausea and vomiting (16.33%) were the most prevalent and 59% of the users menstruated at the expected time whilst menses were delayed in 6% of the cases. The combination of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel in low doses is an effective and safe method of postcoital contraception.
Article
To determine which emergency contraceptive method following unprotected intercourse is the most effective, safe and convenient for use in preventing pregnancy. The search strategy included electronic searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Popline, Chinese biomedical databases and HRP emergency contraception database. In addition, references of retrieved papers were searched and researchers in the field and two pharmaceutical companies were contacted. Randomized or quasi-randomized studies including women attending services for emergency contraception following a single act of unprotected intercourse were eligible. Data on outcomes and trial characteristics were extracted in duplicate by two reviewers. Results were expressed as relative risk using a fixed-effects model with 95 % confidence interval. Fifteen trials were included in the review. The majority (8/15) of the trials were conducted in China. Most comparisons between different interventions included one or two trials although some trials were appropriately sized with power calculations. Levonorgestrel appears to be more effective than Yuzpe regimen (2 trials, RR: 0.51, 95 % CI: 0.31-0.84) and causes less side-effects (RR: 0.80, 95 % CI: 0.76 to 0.84). Levonorgestrel was less effective than locally manufactured mifepristone in a single, large Chinese study (RR: 2.17, 95 % CI: 1.00 to 4.77). Effectiveness of different doses of mifepristone seem to be similar but the frequency of delay in onset of the subsequent menstrual period increases with increased dose. Levonorgestrel and mifepristone seem to offer the highest efficacy with an acceptable side-effect profile. One disadvantage of mifepristone is that it causes delays in onset of subsequent menses which may induce anxiety. However, this seems to be dose-related and low doses of mifepristone minimise this side-effect without compromising effectiveness. Future studies should compare the effectiveness of mifepristone with levonorgestrel.
Article
A number of effective and safe methods for emergency contraception are now available. High doses of oestrogens, although effective, are seldom used nowadays because of the high incidence of nausea and vomiting, and the need for administration for 5 days. The Yuzpe regimen, consisting of administration of two doses of combined oral contraceptive pills with a 12-h interval, can prevent more than 74% of expected pregnancies, but the incidence of side effects, mainly gastrointestinal side effects, is high. Levonorgestrel and mifepristone are more effective than the Yuzpe regimen and have a lower incidence of side effects. They can prevent about 85% of pregnancies. The efficacy of both the Yuzpe regimen and levonorgestrel decreased with increase in the intercourse-treatment interval. The dose of mifepristone can be reduced to 10 mg without loss of efficacy. Both levonorgestrel or mifepristone are not yet widely available, and the Yuzpe regimen remains the only hormonal method in many countries. The postcoital insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device is also a highly effective method, which can prevent over 90% of pregnancies.
Article
Emergency contraception is used after unprotected intercourse or a contraceptive accident to prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is thought to work by stopping or delaying ovulation or preventing implantation if fertilization has already taken place. Hormonal methods, mifepristone, and intrauterine device insertion are among the methods used worldwide. Combination estrogen-progestin birth control pills are the most commonly used form of emergency contraception in the United States. According to the Yuzpe method, combination pills are taken within 72 hours after intercourse, followed by a second identical dose 12 hours later. With this method, the number of unintended pregnancies is reduced by about 75%. Nausea and vomiting are the most troublesome adverse effects, but these can be controlled with antiemetic medication taken prior to the first dose. The Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC, has approved an emergency contraception kit consisting of 4 combination pills, a urine pregnancy test, and a patient information book. Most recently, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a progestin-only formulation, which has fewer adverse effects and equal or improved efficacy compared with the combination formula. An intrauterine device can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse and is a cost-effective option if it is used as ongoing contraceptive protection. The most readily available form of emergency contraception consists of 2 doses of estrogen-progestin combination birth control pills or 2 levonorgestrel pills taken 12 hours apart. Emergency contraception should not be considered as an alternative to ongoing contraceptive methods, but can prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Article
As the number of abortion procedures performed each year reaches nearly 1 million, the incentive to decrease the incidence of unwanted pregnancy in the United States is high. Better education regarding women's health issues and enhanced contraceptive development are necessary to impact this long-standing problem. Several new contraceptive products are likely to become available in years to come to increase the number of choices that women and their health care providers have for pregnancy prevention. These products include long-acting implants, the levonorgestrel intrauterine device, patches, and the vaginal ring. This article surveys the near future of male and female contraception.