ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: to determine the efficacy and adverse effects of subdermic implants, oral and injectable contraceptives. METHODS: the study was conducted by using a cross-sectional design. The efficacy was measured by using the Pearl Index (PI) and the adverse effects were registered in each type of contraceptive: oral, injectable and subdermic implant. RESULTS: 264 users were included, the median age was 23.6 years and the mean weight was 54.48 kg. 23.1 % were oral contraceptives users; 15.7 % were using injectable contraceptives and 56.8 % were using subdermic implants. The average time of contraceptive use was 13.4 months. Regarding efficacy, the subdermic implants had a PI of 0; oral contraceptives showed a PI of 0.13, and the PI of injectable contraceptives was 0. Regarding adverse effects, these were reported by 84.7 % of subdermic implants users, 18.0 % of oral users and 23.3 % of injectable users. CONCLUSION: the efficacy of these three types of contraceptives is appropriate. The adverse effects are more frequent among implants users. The oral and injectable hormonal are effective and safe as contraceptive method and show less adverse effects than subdermic implants.
