THE DYNAMICS OF ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN THE NETHERLANDS 1990-1993

Data from an ongoing series of surveys on contraceptive use in the Net herlands were analyzed with respect to the percentages of oral contrac eptive (OC) users who annually started use, discontinued use or switch ed to another OC type. The surveys had been conducted between 1990 and 1993 among samples of women aged 15-49 who belonged to a survey panel . Response rates of the surveys were 89-90% and the sample sizes range d from 4560 to 4621 women. The assessed OC use rates reflected those o f the Dutch population reasonably well. Of all respondents who had use d OCs during the 12 months prior to the surveys, 12-15% discontinued u se within this period, mainly in order to get pregnant, 12-16% were st arters and 9-14% switchers. Of all starters 37% switched to another OC type within the first 12 months after starting. Switching was mainly related to the experience of perceived side-effects and wishes for bet ter cycle control. The results highlighted the relevance of closely mo nitoring the individual woman's satisfaction with her OC. Since OC use appeared in many cases to be characterized by an active seeking for t he most acceptable OC type, a wide range of OC types available and the development and introduction of new types is highly relevant for tail oring contraceptive use to individual needs.