Prospective memory affects satisfaction with the contraceptive pill

BackgroundRemembering to take the contraceptive pill regularly relies on prospective memory, the ability to carry out an intended action at the appropriate occasion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between satisfaction with the pill and prospective memory.Study DesignA total of 111 nulligravid students from a Swiss University (mean age=21.6, SD=2.9) took part in a study about contraception. Contraceptive use, method and satisfaction with the method were assessed. In addition, a self-report measure of prospective and retrospective memory was administered. The sample of 70 women (mean age=21.36, SD=2.1) who used the birth control pill was divided by median split into a higher and a lower prospective memory ability group to assess the impact of prospective memory on satisfaction with the pill.ResultsSatisfaction with oral contraceptive use was higher (mean lower prospective memory=4.2, mean higher prospective memory=4.7, p=.022) and stress was lower (mean lower prospective memory=2.3, mean higher prospective memory=1.6, p=.005) among women with higher prospective memory ability.ConclusionsAssessing prospective memory might be useful in contraceptive counseling. Strategies to improve prospective memory ability are discussed.