Comparison of pregnancy rates in users of extended and cyclic combined oral contraceptive (COC) regimens in the United States: a brief report

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy rates with 84/7, 21/7, and 24/4 combined oral contraceptives (COCs).

Study design: Data were obtained from the i3Invision Data Mart(TM) retrospective claims database. Subjects were 15 to 40 years; first prescribed COCs between January 1, 2006 and April 1, 2011; and continuously insured for ≥1 year. Eighty four over seven users (84/7) were matched 1:1 to 21/7 and 24/4 users.

Results: One-year pregnancy rates were significantly lower with 84/7 than with 21/7 (4.4% vs. 7.3%; p<.0001) and 24/4 (4.4% vs. 6.9%, p<.0001) regimens.

Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest fewer pregnancies with 84/7 versus 21/7 or 24/4 regimens.

Implications: While newer COCs, including 84/7 and 24/4 regimens, potentially improve efficacy and alter bleeding profiles compared to 21/7 regimens, few data on comparative pregnancy rates with these regimens are available. In this retrospective claims analysis, real-world pregnancy rates were lower with 84/7 regimens versus 21/7 and 24/4 regimens.