Objective

We evaluated Brazilian women with different body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) values who were switching from a short-acting reversible contraceptive (SARC) to a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method in relationship to the reasons reported for switching and the LARC method chosen.

Method

We analyzed retrospective data from 1,508 women aged 18–49 years who chose a LARC for the first time. The variables were sociodemographic, BMI, SARC in use, the reason given for switching, the chosen LARC [copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD), levonorgestrel (52mg) intrauterine system or etonorgestrel implant], and expectations of the LARC. We used the Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare BMI groups. The significance level adopted was 5%.

Results

The obesity group, 320 women (21.2%), reported weight gain (P <0.000) and fear of pregnancy (P = 0.004) as the most frequent reasons for switching, while the normal weight group, 637 women (42.2%), reported more loss of libido (P <0.000) and other personal complaints (P = 0.002). The IUD was chosen by 851 women (56.6%) and significantly by the largest number of obese women.

Conclusion

Women in different BMI categories report different reasons for switching from SARC methods and elect different LARC methods for contraception.