RESUMO
The aim of the study was to identify the factors that affect the relative safety of different types of contraceptives for Egyptian women. This study was carried out on married women in their reproductive age [16-49 years], seeking family planning services and attending the Outpatients Family Planning Clinics of Al-Azhar University Hospitals. An interview with 407 married women seeking family planning services was used for data collection. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the studied samples were illiterates and housewives. The mean duration for pill usage was 18.5 +/- 12.8 months and for local method usage was 6.9 +/- 6.7 months. Obesity, lower limbs edema, hypertension and anemia were detected more often among pill users. Regarding gynecological examination, it was found that excessive vaginal discharge, cervical erosion and bulky uterus were detected in high percentage among pill users. Concerning the microscopic findings of vaginal discharge, it was found that 21.6+ACU- of local method users had leucorrhoea, whereas 8.7+ACU- had moniliasis and 3.1+ACU- of IUDs users had mixed vaginal infection. Medical examination was recommended for every women before the use and choice of the suitable contraceptive method and periodic medical examination was also suggested for the prevention of complications