Contraception

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LATEST ARTICLES

When the pill isn't right

Significant economic and educational issues surround teenage pregnancy, the goal being to avoid as many unplanned pregnancies as possible.

Oral Contraceptives: What you need to know about the latest formulations

An estimated 12 million woemn in the United States use the oral contraceptive (OC) pill, making it the most popular reversible method of birth control. Many new hormonal delivery systems offer benefit superior to those of the pill. The vaginal ring, injection, and patch allow less-frequent dosing, which may improve compliance. The intrauterine device and implant are significantly more effective than the pill, with failure rates rivaling those of sterilization. Nevertheless, the pill remains the method of choice for the majority of women, and pharmaceutical companies are therefore eager to develop new formulations. Since the pill was first introduced more than 50 years ago, many of these new formulations have been little more than updated packaging. However, several new brands have emerged recently that are advertised as having noncontraceptive benefits beyond those of older pill formulations, as well as improved bleeding and side-effect profiles.

Postpartum Contraception: Ways to avoid VTE

Postpartum contraception in essential for any new mother wishing to space pregnancies or limit family size, but it is often confusing for the provider and patient to navigate the evolving recommendations for the best method of postpartum birth control. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published guidelines on contraception in the the postpartum period that can assist in choosing the right plan for your patient. The CDC guidelines, which are more recent than the WHO document and more familar to clinicians, will be referenced in this discussion.

HHS secretary overrules FDA on widening availability of Plan B drug

Levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step, Teva) will remain available by prescription only to adolescents aged 16 years and younger after the Health and Human Services secretary overruled FDA?s recommendation to allow the emergency contraceptive to be sold over the counter.

Qualitest packaging error sparks oral contraceptive recall

Qualitest Pharmaceuticals has issued a voluntary, nationwide, retail-level recall of multiple lots of oral contraceptives.