Reliable Contraception Research Articles

Teen pregnancy: an update.

To provide clinicians with a review of recent research and clinically applicable tools regarding teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy rates have declined but still remain a significant problem in the USA. Teen pregnancy prevention was identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of its top six priorities, which is increasing research and intervention data. Long-acting contraceptive methods are acceptable to teens and have been shown to reduce teen birth rates. Pregnant teens need special attention to counseling on pregnancy options and reducing risk during pregnancy with regular prenatal care. Postpartum teens should be encouraged and supported to breastfeed, monitored for depression, and have access to reliable contraception to avoid repeat undesired pregnancy. This review highlights important issues for all providers caring for female adolescents and those who may encounter teen pregnancy. Foremost prevention of teen pregnancy by comprehensive sexual education and access to contraception is the priority. Educating patients and healthcare providers about safety and efficacy of long-acting reversible contraception is a good step to reducing undesired teen pregnancies. Rates of postpartum depression are greater in adolescents than in adults, and adolescent mothers need to be screened and monitored for depression. Strategies to avoid another undesired pregnancy shortly after delivery should be implemented.

PREGNANCY OUTCOMES FROM TERIFLUNOMIDE CLINICAL STUDIES

Introduction Teriflunomide is a once-daily oral immunomodulator approved for treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Teriflunomide is the active metabolite of leflunomide, approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis since 1998. Evidence from animal models suggests a potential for fetal risk from teriflunomide. Methods Reliable contraception was mandated during teriflunomide trials. Pregnant patients were to discontinue treatment and undergo an accelerated elimination procedure (cholestyramine or activated charcoal). Pregnancies were reported in the teriflunomide clinical database (cut-off October 2013). Results Eighty-three pregnancies were reported in female patients and 22 in partners of male patients; 26 live births occurred in teriflunomide-treated women and 16 occurred in partners of male patients receiving teriflunomide. Newborns whose parents received teriflunomide had no structural defects or functional deficits at birth. The spontaneous abortion rate for female patients was 18.6%–within the range reported in the general population. Conclusions Data from the clinical programme have shown no teratogenic signal for teriflunomide, consistent with findings of the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS) registry, and >2.5 million patient-years of post-marketing data for leflunomide. Current pregnancy numbers are too small to draw firm conclusions. Additional data will be provided by teriflunomide pregnancy registries.

An Update on Male Contraception

Women are focused for family planning from a very long time instead of men. For family planning no attention has been given to men, therefore in the market most of the contraceptive methods are female oriented. This may be due to their greatest stake and interest for family planning. In developing countries neglecting men for developing reliable and acceptable contraception is due to lack of or less participation in family planning. For family planning neglecting men is a losing strategy, resulting serious consequences for both partners. Therefore the problem of abrupt population growth cannot be solved by giving attention to females only.

Selective progesterone receptor modulators.

Review of recent data from clinical trials and descriptions of endometrial morphology with administration of selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs). Recent reports concerning administration of SPRMs, specifically the efficacy of ulipristal acetate in reducing fibroid size and rapid control of menstrual blood loss, have renewed clinical interest in this class of compound. Histological data from studies with SPRMs report that this class of drugs is associated with progesterone receptor modulator-associated endometrial changes. Data on mechanisms of action are lacking. The antagonistic progesterone effect of SPRMs has shown promising results in animal studies with endometriosis. Sex steroid receptor effects of PRMs outside the reproductive tract raise the potential for use in neurology and oncology, and although there are several randomized trials in these areas, there are limited small studies published to date. The SPRM ulipristal acetate is an effective treatment for preoperative treatment of fibroids and a reliable emergency contraceptive. This class of compounds holds the potential for long-term effective medical management of fibroids and may have utility in the management of other sex steroid-dependent conditions.

Importance of Male Fertility Control in Family Planning

The world population, currently estimated to be almost seven billion, is expected to double in less than four decades. The projected population growth will cause severe competition for existing resources, not to mention the issue of overcrowding of the planet and additional greenhouse gases that will have an adverse effect on the ecological health of the planet. A recent survey conducted by the United Nations Population Control Division shows that the majority of today's young men in many countries are willing to participate in family planning by taking full control of their fertility, an important global health issue. However, the contraceptive needs of tens of millions of men/couples go unmet every single day and results in millions of unwanted pregnancies. Ever since the approval of the birth control pill by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1960, scientists have been hoping for a male equivalent. It has, however, been a difficult road, in part because of the complicated science of the male reproductive system. It is easier to control a monthly event of ovulation in women than to regulate the production of millions of fertile spermatozoa every day in men. Thus, the contraceptive options for men have not changed in decades and are still limited to the use of condoms, a timely withdrawal/pulling out (coitus interruptus) or vasectomy, a minor surgical procedure in which the vas deferens is occluded to prevent the release of spermatozoa during ejaculation. The first two approaches have a relatively higher failure rate, whereas the last approach is largely irreversible and not suitable for younger men. In this article, we will discuss various approaches currently available for men to take control of their fertility. Our intention is to discuss the details of three similar approaches that will provide safe, affordable and reversible contraception for men and are close to being approved for use by millions of men around the globe. The availability of safe, reversible and reliable male contraceptives will allow men and women to take full control of their fertility in family planning.

The contraception needs of the perimenopausal woman

Perimenopausal women have low fertility but must still be advised to use contraception until natural sterility is reached if they are sexually active. Patterns of contraceptive use vary in different countries worldwide. Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods offer reliable contraception that may be an alternative to sterilisation. Hormonal methods confer significant non-contraceptive benefits, and each individual woman should weigh up the benefits and risks of a particular method. No method of contraception is contraindicated by age alone, although combined hormonal contraception and injectable progestogens are not recommended for women over the age of 50 years. The intrauterine system has particular advantages as a low-dose method of effective hormonal contraception, which also offers control of menstrual dysfunction and endometrial protection in women requiring oestrogen replacement. Condoms are recommended for personal protection against sexually transmitted infections in new relationships. Standard hormone replacement therapy is not a method of contraception.

International survey to assess women's attitudes regarding choice of daily versus nondaily female hormonal contraception

BackgroundThe availability of reliable contraception tailored to suit women’s needs and lifestyles is an essential step in addressing unintended pregnancy and its substantial human and financial costs. The daily combined oral contraceptive pill has been the short-acting hormonal contraceptive of choice for the last 50 years. However, for some women, this may be neither suitable nor optimal.MethodsHere we report the findings of a large, online, questionnaire-based study conducted in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, and the USA. The study was designed to assess women’s attitudes, beliefs, and unmet needs regarding current hormonal contraceptive options via an anonymous online survey. Women eligible for contraception were required to respond to questions using either a binary (yes/no) or seven-point scale (1, complete disagreement; 7, complete agreement). Women were also asked about other relevant issues, such as lifestyle, perception of menstruation and pregnancy, level of education, and relationship with their health care professional.ResultsIn total, 12,094 women were questioned, of whom 68% required contraception. Overall, 28% of women expressed an interest in novel contraceptive products, and 49% stated that they would prefer a nondaily method. Although many women expressed satisfaction with the pill, daily intake was thought to be burdensome, resulting in irregular and ineffective usage. However, many women continued to choose the pill due to lack of consideration of and education about other options. Approximately half of the women wished to conceive in the near future.ConclusionThe findings indicate that nearly half of respondents would prefer a nondaily form of contraception. Furthermore, approximately half of respondents wished to conceive in the near future, suggesting that they are unlikely to favor long-acting options. Effective education on contraceptive choices may help women to find the method that best suits their needs, thus improving contraceptive compliance.

Hormonal contraception in female lung transplant recipients: a case series

We present a case series of eight female lung transplant recipients who used combined hormonal contraception (CHC). Pregnancies after lung transplantation are rare1 but can put the woman and the...

Contracepção em mulheres com condições clínicas especiais. Critérios médicos e elegibilidade

Pregnancy planning is important for the physical, mental, and social health of women and families. For women with underlying medical disorders, pregnancy planning assumes even greater importance, because ensuring a healthy woman and healthy child becomes more challenging. Unfortunately, some medical conditions also complicate the ability to use reliable contraception safely. Although numerous studies have addressed the safety and effectiveness of hormonal contraceptive use in healthy women, data are far less complete for women with underlying medical problems or other special circumstances. Using the best available scientific evidence and based on the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice Bulletin, this review provides information to help clinicians and women with coexisting medical conditions to make decisions regarding the selection and appropriateness of various hormonal contraceptives. The review includes recent advances in the development of oral contraception, emergency contraception, injectable contraception, vaginal rings, subdermal implants, transdermal contraception and intrauterine devices.

The Relationship between Prevention Methods and Unwanted Pregnancy

Abstract Background and Aim: Unwanted pregnancy occurs as a result of failure of prevention methods or lack of such methods. The essential aim of family planning is to prevent women from unwanted pregnancies. This study explores the relationship between unwanted pregnancy and contraceptive methods. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 90 women with unwanted pregnancies (cases) and 90 women with wanted pregnancies (control) that referred to health centers in Kashan, central Iran were randomly selected in 2000-2010 and a pregnancy questionnaire was administered. Also, telephone interview were completed. Then, the collected data was analyzed using tests such as chi-square, t-test and fisher exact tests through SPSS software. Results: The mean age of case group women was 30.4±5.9 and in the control group it was 27.4±4.9. Statistically significant relationships were found between education, spouse occupation, age, previous unwanted pregnancy, and unwanted pregnancy (p<0.05). No statistically significant relationship was found between type of pregnancy and the number of abortions and previous unwanted pregnancy, age at marriage, employment, and income. Methods used for contraception in the order of significance included withdrawal (50%), condoms (33.3%), and pills (14.4%), respectively. Statistically significant relationship between the types of a method was not observed. Using the Mantel Haenszel method, statistically significant relationship was found between frequency of using the methods and the total number of children, pregnancies and other similar factors. Conclusion: Since the withdrawal method used by women was the most significant factor in the study, women must be encouraged to use reliable contraceptive methods for preventing unwanted pregnancy. Keywords: unwanted pregnancy, Prevention methods, Family

Estimated reduction of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUS): use of a prediction model to estimate the impact of LNG-IUS

The World Health Organization has identified reliable contraception as a primary strategy for the prevention of pediatric HIV. The objective is to estimate the potential impact of the LNG-IUS on vertical transmission of HIV in the developing country of Uganda using a prediction model with sensitivity analysis.

Characteristics of women who have repeat abortions in the Netherlands

Objectives To explore the demographic characteristics of women having multiple abortions, in order to identify abortion clients who might be at increased risk of repeat abortion.Methods On the basis of the registration data of most Dutch abortion clinics, responsible for 64% of all such procedures, women who procured a first abortion were compared to those who had one or more previously. Results of bivariate analyses and a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis are presented.Results Of all abortions, 36% were repeat abortions. Women aged over 20 were more likely to have repeat abortions, as were migrants, particularly those with a Caribbean background (from Surinam or the Netherlands Antilles) and women who had children. Effect sizes of other factors were very small. Surprisingly, women who had repeat abortions more often used contraception in the preceding six months than women who had a first abortion, but also this effect size was small as well. A multivariate logistic regression analysis led to similar results.Conclusions Abortion clients with a Caribbean background should be targeted for the prevention of more unwanted pregnancies. Not only should the use of reliable contraception be promoted, but also compliance and continuation.

Hormonal contraception in women with migraine: is progestogen-only contraception a better choice?

A significant number of women with migraine has to face the choice of reliable hormonal contraception during their fertile life. Combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) may be used in the majority of women with headache and migraine. However, they carry a small, but significant vascular risk, especially in migraine with aura (MA) and, eventually in migraine without aura (MO) with additional risk factors for stroke (smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and thrombophilia, age over 35 years). Guidelines recommend progestogen-only contraception as an alternative safer option because it does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and ischemic stroke.Potentially, the maintenance of stable estrogen level by the administration of progestins in ovulation inhibiting dosages may have a positive influence of nociceptive threshold in women with migraine. Preliminary evidences based on headache diaries in migraineurs suggest that the progestin-only pill containing desogestrel 75 μg has a positive effect on the course of both MA and MO in the majority of women, reducing the number of days with migraine, the number of analgesics and the intensity of associated symptoms. Further prospective trials have to be performed to confirm that progestogen-only contraception may be a better option for the management of both migraine and birth control. Differences between MA and MO should also be taken into account in further studies.

A blind area of family planning services in China: unintended pregnancy among unmarried graduate students

BackgroundStatus of premarital sex, unintended pregnancy and associated factors among Chinese graduate students remain unclear. And unmarried graduate students’ needs of family planning services seem to be ignored. In the present study, we ascertained the prevalence rate of premarital sex and unintended pregnancy, as well as estimated the possible factors associated with unintended pregnancy among unmarried Chinese graduate students, and evaluated their reproductive health needs.MethodsWe obtained the representative sample of graduate students using a multistage, stratified, cluster design, and collected data using a questionnaire.ResultsWe obtained 11936 responders. Premarital sexual intercourse was acknowledged by 24.2% of responders; unintended pregnancy was acknowledged by 4.8% of responders (19.8% of students active in premarital sex); and abortion was acknowledged by 4.6% of responders (96.7% of pregnant students). In multivariate analysis, the identified risk factors for unintended pregnancy among both genders that were active in premarital sex were: (1) having no steady lover [for males: odds ratio (OR), 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.41-2.70; for females: OR, 2.65; 95%CI, 1.56-4.84]; (2) younger age at the first sexual intercourse (for males: OR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.22-2.15; for females: OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.64-4.02); (3) lack of condom use at the first sex (for males: OR, 1.13, 95% CI, 1.09-1.37; for females: OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.81-4.39); (4) unaware of the conditions of conception (for males: OR, 1.69, 95% CI, 1.31-2.19; for females: OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.16-2.65); and (5) unaware that abortion endangers women's future pregnancy (for males: OR, 2.98, 95% CI, 2.15-4.14; for females: OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.23-4.46). Medical graduates were not less likely to have unintended pregnancy than nonmedical graduates for both genders.ConclusionsThe avoidable risk of being unintended pregnancy among graduate students in China indicates that an urgent need to take action on how to delay the age of first sex, promote condom use at first sex, and acquire accurate contraceptive information, as well as improve skills to use reliable contraception among graduate students.

The Correlation Between Psychiatric Disorders and Women’s Lives

Psychiatric disorders are important factors which affect the quality of life: employment rates, interpersonal and intrafamilial communications, marriage, child-bearing, parental skills and many other social - cognitive areas in different ways. Psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and depressive disorder have a negative impact on women's lives. This study has compared the relationship between these mental illnesses and the liabilities of women's lives. For the purpose of this study, 61 schizophrenics, 35 bipolar and 40 unipolar female patients and 60 healthy controls from a university hospital of eastern Turkey were evaluated with SCID- I, a family environmental scale and a personal information questionnaire. The women with psychiatric disorders had higher rates of unemployment, shorter durations of marriage and lower numbers of parity, as compared to their healthy counterparts, especially after the onset of their illnesses. The schizophrenia and bipolar groups are at risk due to the psychotropic medications which they take during pregnancy. The onset or the exacerbations of illnesses during the postpartum period are also seen more in the schizophrenia and the bipolar groups. However, the patients did not use medicines more than the healthy controls during lactation. The schizophrenia and bipolar groups seem to be failing in using reliable methods of contraception. This data is important due to the traditional and the socio-economical structure of eastern Turkey, which may interrelate with the results. Women have to play various roles in life and they have various challenges which are related to these roles. The female psychiatric patients should be evaluated in the special perspective of 'being women', along with other clinical parameters. The evaluation of the social, cultural and the economic aspects and the collaborative teams of different clinical disciplines which are related to women's mental health would be beneficial.

True Mirena failure: Twin pregnancy with Mirena in situ

Mirena levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a very reliable method of contraception with the failure rate comparable to sterilization. We present a case of failure of the Mirena intrauterine device in situ in a woman with twin gestational sac with positive Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β HCG) within 2 years of insertion. Although LNG-IUS is one of the most effective methods of contraception, the risks of failure should always be kept in mind and the women be appropriately counseled before its use.

Abnormal uterine bleeding in midlife: The role of levonorgestrel intrauterine system

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common gynecological complaint affecting 10-30% of women in midlife and constitute about one-third of all outpatient gynecological visits. It adversely affects the quality of woman's life and can lead to psychological, social, medical, and sexual problems and thus necessitating appropriate and adequate management. Different treatment modalities for such problems are available, yet the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) has recently provided a good treatment option effective in treating such complaints and at the same time, having a reliable contraceptive effect which is desired by such age group. For women in their reproductive years, the LNG-IUS has become one of the most acceptable medical treatments for menorrhagia, reducing referrals to specialists, and decreasing the recourse to operative treatments. It is easy to insert, has a sustained effect, cost-effective, and well tolerated besides providing reliable contraception.

Inhaled lavender effect on anxiety and pain caused from intrauterine device insertion.

Intrauterine device (IUD) is the most common reliable, effective and reversible contraceptive method used worldwide and in areas with high growth rate is of particular importance. IUD insertion is associated with high anxiety in most people that causes pain and discomfort. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aromatherapy on anxiety and pain caused by IUD insertion. This study was conducted on 106 women in a health care center located in Ardebil, Iran. Participants were divided into two groups by randomized blocks of 4 and 6. In the experimental group lavender scent was inhaled and in the control group the placebo was inhaled 30 minutes before IUD insertion. The anxiety of the participants was measured by Spielberger questionnaire, and the pain of IUD insertion was measured immediately after the insertion using visual analog scale (range 0-10). The mean score (standard deviation) of anxiety before intervention was 43.2 (9.2) in the experimental group that decreased after intervention to 39.0 (10.5) (p < 0.001), while this score was 42.2 (9.0) and 41.5 (8.4) before and after the intervention in the control group (p = 0.21). Mean differences of anxiety in both groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The pain score after intervention did not show significant difference between two groups (p = 0.51). Aromatherapy with lavender inhalation was effective in decreasing anxiety in IUD procedure, and this method can be used in health care centers as complementary treatments.

Teriflunomide: Second oral agent approved for MS

The approval of teriflunomide (Aubagio—Genzyme) for the management of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) now offers this patient population a second oral treatment option. This approval follows the 2010 approval of Novartis's fingolimod (Gilenya), which has been plagued by a serious safety concern. In December 2011, FDA released a safety communication related to fingolimod after a patient died after beginning treatment. While the connections between the death and the drug were unclear, the fact that fingolimod can cause significant bradycardia and the recommendation that patients should be monitored for at least 6 hours after the first dose is seen as a problem by some.

Influence of reproductive tract obstruction on expression of epididymal proteins and their restoration after patency

Vasectomy is a simple and reliable method of male contraception. A growing number of men after vasectomy request vasectomy reversal due to various reasons. The pregnancy rate is lower than the patency rate after vasovasostomy and the pregnancy rate is time dependent. In this study, we evaluated the influence of reproductive tract obstruction on expression of epididymal proteins and their restoration after patency. Adult male Wistar rats were studied 30, 60 and 120 days after vasectomy, 30 days after vasovasostomy or after sham operations. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, mass-spectrometric technique, multidatabase search, Western blotting and real-time PCR were used to analyze the expression regulation of epididymal proteins. Total integrated intensity and total spot area of autoradiograms showed a consistent downward trend with time after obstruction, and this trend remained after patency. The intensity of the autoradiographic spots in three patency groups showed three trends: a downward trend, similar intensity and an upward trend compared with the correspondent obstruction group, respectively. Further verified experiments on human epididymis 2 (HE2), fertilization antigen-1 (FA-1), clusterin and PH20 demonstrated that compared with the correspondent obstruction group, the translation levels of HE2 and the mRNA transcription levels of HE2 showed an upward trend in patency groups, especially in the groups of obstruction for 60 days where the expression levels of HE2 were significantly upregulated after patency (P<0.05). Reproductive tract obstruction provokes a disregulation of gene expression in the epididymis and this disregulation remained after patency. Successful reversal may recover some proteins and the recovery is time dependent. Obstruction differentially alters mRNA transcription of different proteins and the content of proteins seemed to be easier to be influenced than the gene transcription.