Failure and Side Effects of Contraceptive Pills Used for Postponement of Menstrual Bleeding in Hajj Pilgrims of Kerman, 2000

Use of contraceptive pills for postponement of menstruation has been a common practice for women traveling to the holy city of Mecca, although the side effects of this practice has not yet been studied. This research was carried out for determining the type and the prevalence of side effects of the contraceptive pills and for finding out the best type of regimens with least side effects in Hajj pilgrims from Kerman in 2001

In this research, 224 pilgrims were selected with similar backgrounds. A two part questionnaire was given to them during the last days of their pilgrimage. The first part was completed in the holy land of Arafat and the second part was answered two months later via telephone calls or postal service.

Menstruation had occurred in 2.1% of cases, 13.6% had experienced spotting, 19.5% nausea and in 11.4%, dizziness was reported. 81.1% had not experienced any side effects. 49.5% experienced normal bleeding during the first menstruation, while 66.1% had normal bleeding during the second menstruation. The rest had experienced either decreased or increased bleeding. 24.6% in the first menstruation and 20% in the second menstruation had experienced unusual pain. In 73% of the cases, the second menstruation had been normal. 2 tests showed a significant relation between the number of pills and duration of bleeding in the first menstruation (p=0.04%) and the second menstruation (p=0.03%).

As the number and severity of side effects increase with an increase in dosage, it is recommended that lower dosages of pills should be used as far as possible. Also, since early start of pills does not decrease spotting, it is better if pills are started just a few days before the expected time of menstruation.