Overview and Aims:

The prevalence of obesity among fertile women has increased over the last few years and should be considered when choosing a contraceptive method. These women have a higher risk of thromboembolic events that increases with the use of combined hormonal contraception (CHC). Therefore, some medical societies do not recommend the use of CHC in women with class 2 obesity or higher. This study aims to assess the contraceptive methods used in women with class 2 obesity or higher in nine Primary Healthcare Units (PHU) in northern Portugal.

Study Design:

Multicentric retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study.

Population:

All women of reproductive age (between ages 15 and 49), with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, enrolled in the intervening PHU and included in the family planning (FP) program.

Methods:

The sample was collected using the MIM@UF® database, obtaining the contraceptive method and thromboembolic history through the individual electronic medical record system, Sclínico®. Pregnant women, women without a medical appointment in the previous five years and women with invalid data were excluded.

Results:

From the initial sample of 1063 women, 123 were excluded. The mean age was 36.8 ± 8.8 years, the mean BMI was 39.2 ± 4.0 kg/m2. From the sample, 36.2% (n=340) were using progestogen (70.9% progestogen-only pill, 14.7% levonorgestrel intrauterine system, 13.8% progestogen-only implant, 0.6% progestogen-only injectables); 27.7% (n=260) were taking CHC; 12.8% (n=120) were with a non-hormonal methods (55.8% barrier methods; 37.5% copper intrauterine contraceptive device, 6.7% natural methods); 6.4% (n=60) were with permanent methods, 17.0% were not using any type of contraception (n=160). In this sample, 2,2% (n=21) had a thromboembolic event.

Conclusions:

CHC was the second most used method in the intervening FHU, although its use is not recommended. Given the high risk of thromboembolic events, it is essential to implement corrective measures to improve contraceptive counselling in FP consultations.

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