Trends in prescribing patterns of hormonal contraceptives for adolescents

BackgroundLittle is known regarding how prescribing patterns of hormonal contraceptives to adolescents in the United States have changed over time as new formulations become available and knowledge of thrombosis risk increases. Desogestrel and high-dose estrogen-containing formulations have been associated with a higher risk of thrombosis than other methods.Study designWe used the National Ambulatory Medical Care/National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care surveys to describe trends in contraception prescriptions for 11- to 21-year-old females between 1993 and 2004.ResultsThe majority of prescriptions arose from obstetrics/gynecology clinics. The proportion of desogestrel-containing prescriptions was ∼10% throughout the study period. Ortho Evra (transdermal norelgestromin, ethinyl estradiol) and Yasmin (oral drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol) accounted for a steadily increasing proportion of prescriptions.ConclusionWith regard to contraception and thrombosis risk, a significant minority of adolescents are prescribed desogestrel-containing contraceptives, and a greater number are exposed to higher levels of estrogen from transdermal contraception. Future studies are needed to evaluate the absolute risk of thrombosis in adolescents using these formulations so clinicians have accurate safety information when prescribing to this unique population.