Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

And my task for this afternoon is to review for you a new contraceptive option and what I’d like to do first is show you my disclosure statement and then I will go into the first part of discussion, talk about why I think there’s a need for this new contraception option and then go in much greater depth in discussing it.

“We just heard a presentation about one of the several new devices for contraception and you took part in a lot of research about this Transdermal Patches for contraception.

A New Contraceptive Option: A Focus on the Transdermal Contraceptive System Ronald T. Burkman, MD Baystate Medical Center Tufts University School of Medicine

The topic of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) continues to emerge as a central theme that we, as clinicians to female patients, address every day. We recognize that the public is much more aware of and interested in HRT now than was the case a decade ago.

Healthy, nonsmoking perimenopausal women can derive a host of benefits from using oral contraceptives (OCs). Along with providing effective contraception, OCs can regulate their menstrual cycles, reduce hot flashes, and protect against two gynecologic cancers.

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women has been generating a lot of controversy lately. Recent studies have suggested that, contrary to prior assumptions, this regimen may increase the risks for a heart attack and for breast cancer. We asked Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, a member of our advisory board, to respond to concerns about the safety of HRT--particularly with respect to cardiovascular disease.

Of American women aged 15 to 44 years who are at risk of unintended pregnancy, 40% are currently using hormonal contraception, and more than 75% previously used hormonal birth control.

A number of perimenopausal women and their health care providers choose to either decline or prematurely discontinue use of oral contraceptives (OCs), despite the availability of formulations that can prevent pregnancy and address perimenopausal symptoms. This lack of use is due to several factors.

Who Might Benefit from the Pill?