Donna Shoup Diri L. Kjos The Handbook of Contraception: A Guide for Practical Management 2006 Humana Press Totowa, NJ 297 pages. Price: $89.50 U.S.

Abstract

A thorough understanding of contraception and the agents and devices used is very important for all clinicians who counsel patients in family planning. The Handbook of Contraception: A Guide for Practical Management, edited by Donna Shoupe and Kiri L. Kjos helps to enhance our understanding of all aspects of contraception. This comprehensive guide provides updated information about the history, safety, adverse effects, advantages, and disadvantages of all the products available. Each chapter can be used independently for each individual contraceptive and are supported by appropriate bulleted points, tables, figures, and references. Chapter 1 is a current overview of contraceptive use in the United States. The chapter gives an overall view of the current trends in contraceptive use and their individual failure rates. Chapters 2 and 3 cover the combination oral contraceptive (OC) pills. Chapter 2 starts with an interesting discussion of the legal and developmental history of this agents, but then segues into the pharmacology, as well as the clinical and metabolic effects. Chapter 3′s focus is more on patient selection, counseling, drug interactions, and problem management. However, no mention was made on the extended use of combination pills. Chapter 4 discusses the progestin-only OC pills. The chapter gives comprehensive detail of the advantages, disadvantages, and counseling points associated with this class of drug. A highlight of this section on the good and bad candidates for progestin-only pills. Chapter 5 places all aspects of the contraceptive patch in perspective. The authors concisely discuss the media reports about the potential side effect profile with the patch, then the medical aspects of this device, including instructions on application, initiation of use, warning signs of potential side effects, and patients who may not be the best candidates. Chapter 6 highlights the contraceptive vaginal ring and its effectiveness. The chapter does a great job in discussing vaginal metabolism and the bioavailability of the steroid hormones instilled in the cylinder of the ring. Chapter 7 consists of a discussion on long acting progestin injections. Although the primary discussion is on the 3-month depot formulation of IMmedroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), the SC version is also mentioned. Contraceptive implants are thoroughly pinpointed in Chapter 8. Dr. Philip Darney does a great job in comparing the serum progestin concentrations between Norplant and Implanon. The chapter then shifts to the placement and removal of Implanon, as well as counseling aspects of its use. Chapter 9 deals with intrauterine devices (IUD). Comparison of the copper T to the levonorgestrel systems are discussed throughout the chapter. It ends with a thorough perspective on problem management and removal techniques. A look into the world of barrier contraceptives takes place in Chapter 10. Male condoms, vaginal spermicides, and cervical barriers (diaphragm, female condom, cervical cap, and vaginal sponge) are detailed here. Although this section is usually divided into many chapters in other contraceptive textbooks, I believe the authors focused on the appropriate points and used appropriate illustrations to make their points. Natural family planning and fertility awareness methods are highlighted in Chapter 11 as behavioral methods of contraception. Although failure rates with natural family planning and fertility awareness methods are as high as 25%, there are still a number of couples who uses behavioral methods as their principle method of birth control. The authors give appropriate credence to abstinence, rhythm, cyclebead use, basal body temperature charting, use of ovulation detection kits, lactational amenorrhea, and coitus interruptus. In Chapter 12, Dr. Shoupe offers a lengthy discussion on emergency contraception as a “second chance” contraceptive option. Most of this information was written before Plan B became available across the country and Preven was withdrawn from the US market. However, the discussion of these methods, including the copper IUD is in appropriate detail. Chapter 13 focuses on female tubal sterilization. All sterilization techniques for the female patient are mentioned in this chapter, including the transcervical tubal insert (Essure), quinicrine, and intratubal ligation devices. Chapters 14 and 15 discuss the contraceptive needs of women in special populations and those with medical conditions. These chapters pinpoint the issues that are necessary to discuss in the selection of a family planning method for adolescents, perimenopausal women, postpartum mothers, and those with medical disease states. Overall, I believe that Drs. Shoupe and Kjos bring a unique perspective to contraception. This book does an excellent job in balancing the historical and technical information needed for the understanding of family planning; they add pictures, tables, and graphs that highlight the practical aspect of each method. Anyone who discusses contraceptive options with patients should read this book and add it to their reference library.