The use of the vaginal ring and transdermal patch among adolescent girls in Finland

Abstract

Objective Little is known about the use of the vaginal ring and transdermal patch in representative adolescent populations although these contraceptives are supposed to be a good option for that age group. The aim of this study was to determine the use of the vaginal ring and that of the transdermal patch and to compare these with the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and emergency contraception in adolescent girls residing in Finland.

Methods As part of the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey a questionnaire was mailed to a representative sample of girls aged 14, 16 or 18 years residing in Finland. Of these 3029 (72%) responded.

Results The use of the vaginal ring (0.9%) and that of the transdermal patch (0.1%) were uncommon whereas OCs were commonly resorted to (20%). Only 0.6% of girls aged 16 and 2.5% of those aged 18 used the vaginal ring or the transdermal patch. Fifteen percent of girls had ever used emergency contraception.

Conclusion The vaginal ring and the transdermal patch are rarely used by adolescents. Our findings suggest that these novel contraceptive methods have not been adopted by family planning services.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• Finland
• Oral contraceptives
• Prevalence
• Transdermal patch
• Vaginal ring

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (§27 appropriation of the Tobacco Act), and the Competitive Medical Research Fund of the Tampere University Hospital.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.