Managing Breakthrough Bleeding When Using Low-Dose Estrogen Combined Hormonal Contraceptives
September 5th 2025Panelists discuss how breakthrough bleeding affects approximately 20% of users initially but improves over time and can be managed through patient education about expectations, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for acute episodes, and adjustments to estrogen dose or progestin type when necessary.
Postpartum Depression Resources for Providers and Patients
Panelists discuss how providers can utilize resources like Postpartum Support International for training, certification, and referrals, while building community networks and making warm handoffs to ensure patients receive appropriate care without barriers.
Managing Misconceptions and Adverse Effects with Low-Dose Estrogen Combined Hormonal Contraceptives
August 28th 2025Panelists discuss how misconceptions about lower efficacy and increased drug interactions persist with low-dose estrogen pills, while adverse effects such as headaches and nausea are managed through anticipatory guidance and proper counseling without creating unnecessary anxiety.
Bone Density’s Role in VMS Treatment and Neurokinin Therapy
August 25th 2025An expert discusses how the ideal vasomotor symptom treatment would address both symptoms and bone loss simultaneously, making nonestrogen therapies with skeletal benefits like elinzanetant particularly attractive for patients.
Treatment Options and Monitoring Treatment Response in Postpartum Depression
Panelists discuss how new FDA-approved treatments like zuranolone offer rapid onset options for postpartum depression, while monitoring effectiveness requires regular follow-up, rescreening, symptom assessment, and addressing global factors like sleep support and breastfeeding pressures.
Treatment Barriers and Key Elements of Successful Treatment Plans in Postpartum Depression
Panelists discuss how treatment barriers include limited prescriptive access and long wait times, while successful treatment plans require assessing severity levels, maternal functioning, support systems, and incorporating follow-up care with appropriate interventions based on the patient’s specific needs.
Other Low-Dose Estrogen Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Formulations
August 21st 2025Panelists discuss how the drospirenone/estetrol (E4) pill with 14.2 mg of estrogen provides effective contraception with a long half-life progestin that accommodates typical user behavior, while explaining that milligram vs microgram dosing reflects different estrogen metabolism rather than higher exposure.
Norethindrone Acetate/Ethinyl Estradiol as Ultra–Low-Dose Estrogen Combined Hormonal Contraceptive
August 21st 2025Panelists discuss how the norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol pill with 10 mcg of estrogen became the best-selling branded pill in the US due to its effective 24/2/2 formulation that minimizes bleeding issues through reduced placebo days and low-dose estrogen support.
Sarah Raifman, PhD, MSc, highlights the link between heavy drinking and pregnancy
August 15th 2025A new study using advanced pregnancy preference measures reveals that heavy alcohol use significantly increases the risk of unintended pregnancy, highlighting the need for personalized contraceptive support.
Managing Postpartum Depression in Clinical Practice
Panelists discuss how to manage positive screens through resources like Postpartum Support International, state psychiatric consultation lines, combination therapy approaches, and addressing patient concerns about medication through evidence-based conversations and gradual implementation.
Improving Patient Communication in Postpartum Depression
Panelists discuss how to overcome patient reluctance to discuss postpartum depression through normalization, early conversations during pregnancy, comprehensive screening integration, and addressing stigma by comparing mental health treatment with other medical conditions.
Estrogen Dosing in Combined Hormonal Contraceptives
August 14th 2025Panelists discuss how estrogen dosing selection depends on individual patient factors, including cycle control needs, noncontraceptive goals, estrogen sensitivity, age considerations for bone health, and patient comfort with hormone levels, with most providers using lower doses primarily to address estrogen-related adverse effects.
Patient Profiles for Combined Hormonal and Progestin-Only Contraceptives
August 14th 2025Panelists discuss how ideal candidates for combined hormonal contraceptives are those medically cleared for estrogen use who prefer predictable monthly periods, while progestin-only methods are recommended for patients with estrogen contraindications such as elevated body mass index (BMI) combined with older age or hypertension with migraines.
BMD Biomarker Outcomes With Elinzanetant vs Placebo: Clinical Relevance and Implications
August 11th 2025An expert discusses how elinzanetant showed less bone mineral density decrease, reduced bone turnover markers, and increased total body bone density compared to placebo, suggesting beneficial skeletal effects.
Screening and Referral Recommendations in Postpartum Depression
Panelists discuss how effective screening goes beyond formal tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to include genuine patient connection, direct questioning about emotional well-being, and clinical observation, while emphasizing the important role pediatricians can play in identifying maternal mental health concerns during frequent baby visits.
Collaborative Role of Providers for Screening, Diagnosis, and Referrals in Postpartum Depression
Panelists discuss how reproductive psychiatry is an evolving subspecialty that requires collaboration between obstetricians, primary care providers, and psychiatrists, with clear guidelines for when to refer patients (such as those with bipolar history, psychosis, or treatment resistance) while building capacity for basic screening and treatment in obstetric settings.