Contraception

Articles from Millennium Medical Communications, Inc.

With a number of clinical studies now completed, the launch of drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (Yasmin®) in the United States and Europe is expected in the near future. An international panel of physicians involved with the development of drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol recently described the potential benefits of the new oral contraceptive (OC) to clinicians attending an industry-sponsored symposium held during the XVI FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

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.

In humans, serotonin has typically been investigated as a neurotransmitter. However, serotonin also functions as a hormone across animal phyla, including those lacking an organized central nervous system.

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.

There are many ways to take estrogens and many philosophies of management. The views expressed on this page represent the opinion of the author and may or may not conform to the current "standard of care" prevalent in the United States today.

Natural Estrogens, Selective Estrogens, Fantasy Estrogens... What is the Perfect Estrogen?

Many risk factors for fractures have been documented, including low bone-mineral density (BMD) and a history of fractures.

It is implantation of the fertilised ovum outside the normal uterine cavity. Common site (95%) : the tubes. Rare sites (5%) : The ovaries, a rudimentary horn of a bicornuate uterus , broad ligaments, peritoneum and cervix.

Molar pregnancies are an uncommon and very frightening complication of pregnancy. The formal medical term for a molar pregnancy is "hydatidiform mole."

Although testosterone is generally considered to be a male hormone, it is produced in small amounts by the ovary. Other hormones with testosterone-like effects are also produced by both the ovary and the adrenal gland.

New recommendations by the CDC state that postpartum women should not use combined hormonal contraceptives during the first 21 days after delivery because of high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) during this period.

The most effective forms of reversible contraception available to date are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants.1 According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), LARCs are safe for almost all women of reproductive age, including nursing mothers, adolescents, and women who have not yet had a child, and The College recommends them as first-line contraceptive methods.

Transperineal and transabdominal sonography were done for 180 patients attending Benha University Hospitals at 28-40 weeks gestational age with an antepartum hemorrhage in the period between July, 1995 and October, 1996.

This article examines issues surrounding noncompliance, and offers advice regarding effective patient counseling. It also highlights the importance of OC packaging: Market research studies suggest that more discreet and more convenient styles of packaging may promote consistent use.

The IUCD is the stainless steel 'Chinese ring' widely used in China for the last 20 years. We see quite a lot of these rings in Hong Kong from women who recently arrived from China and wanted to have them removed.

The introduction of the Pill in the 1960’s was probably one of the most liberating events in the history of women. Providing a safe and effective method of contraception, which women could easily control themselves, it enabled women to impact society like never before. Since its introduction, it has probably become one of the most widely studied medications ever.

There are many factors that go into the decision to choose a birth control method. This article is intended to be an overview to help you to think about these choices, and make a decision about what method is best for you.

In general decline in fertility is associated with increasing age, most notably for women. Women are born with a fixed number of oocytes which diminish with age leaving few if any capable of fertilization in the peri menopause.

Contraceptive behavior is related to changing age structure, and change in upper age limits for OCs use. However, there are unpredictable factors affecting contraceptive use such as the publicity regarding OCs and breast cancer and concern about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including human immunodeficiency virus infection as well as abortion legislation.

Each year there are millions of unplanned, and often unwanted, pregnancies due to lack of contraception or contraception failure. We have all read about the epidemic of teen pregnancies in the United States and other countries.

(fig. 1) I was so astonished by the 3D image that I wanted to share with you.  Look at the shape of the copper coil, it's amazing.  Submitted by Daniel Margulies, Argentina. (fig. 2) "This is my best 3D Multiplanar Reconstruction of  Multiload IUD."Image provided by:Mrio Libardi, M.D.Multimagem Ultra-sonografiaBotucatu, Sao PauloBrasil (fig. 3) Image provided courtesy of Antwoord van dr. R.J.C.M. Beerthuizen, directeur Stichting Anticonceptie Nederland, Winterswijk (fig. 4) Image provided by:Mrio Libardi, M.D.Multimagem Ultra-sonografiaBotucatu, Sao PauloBrasilFor more images and information about IUDs, please click here CommentsMy gut tells me that this may be an image artifact that is unique to 3D sonography.  If any of you heard the lecture on 3D artifacts in Buenos Aries by Dr. Andrew Hull... he was clear that 3D introduces new categories of image artifacts and a new "twist" on old familiar artifacts.  You can see the interview of Dr. Hull at:http://www.obgyn.net/displaytranscript.asp?page=/avtranscripts/dubose_hull This is probably not useful pathologically, but as a phenomenon of 3D sonography it may be important educationally to us end users.  I would like to post it and see more discussion. Peace, Terry J. DuBose, M.S., RDMS Assistant Professor & Director, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program CHRP, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, Arkansas, USA 501-686-6510http://www.io.com/~dubose/http://www.uams.edu/CHRP/dmshome.htmhttp://www.obgyn.net/us/panel/panel.htm 

The contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra™ transdermal system) is a weekly hormonal birth control method that received Food and Drug Administration approval in November 2001. The product is an adhesive patch, similar to a large Band Aid®, that a woman places onto her skin to prevent pregnancy. The patch contains hormones that are released through the skin and into the bloodstream.

The purpose of the Women’s Health Initiative hormone program was to study the health benefits and risks of hormones for postmenopausal women. In July 2002, we asked women in the estrogen plus progestin part of the program to stop taking their study pills.

Recent research by members of the Population Council's International Committee for Contraception Research (ICCR) and other scientists shows that emergency contraceptive pills appear to work by interfering with ovulation, thus preventing fertilization of the egg.

A new overview of studies of the Pill and the risk of heart attack, published today (Friday 30 August) in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal, Human Reproduction,* provides a reassuring picture of the safety of the third generation Pill.

Questions on Contraception answered by Marta Mendez, MD,

Questions on Contraception answered by Marta Mendez, MD

Questions on Puberty, Gyn Exam Procedures and Pap Smears answered by Marta Mendez, MD

Questions on Contraception