'But you can't reverse a hysterectomy!' Perceptions of long acting reversible contraception (LARC) among young women aged 16-24 years: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) methods are highly effective in reducing the incidence of unwanted pregnancy. Recent data indicates that the rate of abortion in Grampian, North East of Scotland is above the Scottish average and LARC uptake among young women low. This study sought to explore young women's perceptions of LARC, with the aim of developing a strategy to increase LARC uptake.

Using formal consensus methods to adapt World Health Organization Medical Eligibility Criteria for contraceptive use.

Background: Most contraceptive users are medically fit and can use any available method. Some medical conditions are associated with theoretical safety concerns when certain contraceptives are used. Nevertheless, most contraceptive clinical trials exclude subjects with chronic medical conditions, and direct evidence on which to base sound contraceptive prescribing is limited.

Factors affecting adequacy of Pipelle and Tao Brush endometrial sampling.

Objective: To compare factors influencing adequacy of endometrial samples obtained using two outpatient sampling devices--Pipelle and Tao Brush.

Design: Pragmatic unblinded trial with investigation schedule randomised separately within two groups according to endometrial cancer risk.

Setting: Gynaecology outpatient clinic of a large city hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.

FFPRHC Guidance (July 2005): The use of contraception outside the terms of the product licence.

This Guidance provides information for clinicians and women considering the use of contraception outside the terms of the product licence. A key to the grades of recommendations, based on levels of evidence, is given at the end of this document. Details of the methods used by the Clinical Effectiveness Unit (CEU) in developing this Guidance and evidence tables summarising the research basis of the recommendations are available on the Faculty website (www.

Use of a staff administered structured questionnaire to identify relevant life-style issues and social-health determinants in a sexual and reproductive health service.

Objective: To evaluate a staff-administered questionnaire to identify life-style issues and social-health determinants.

Design: Structured questionnaire administered by a health professional after dealing with the primary reason for attendance.

Setting: Community-based UK sexual and reproductive health service.

Evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding: comparison of three outpatient procedures within cohorts defined by age and menopausal status.

Objectives: To compare three outpatient methods of endometrial evaluation in terms of performance, patient acceptability and cost-effectiveness.

Design: Pragmatic unblinded trial randomised separately within three groups determined by risk of endometrial cancer.

Setting: The gynaecology outpatient clinic of a large city hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland.

FFPRHC Guidance (January 2004). The copper intrauterine device as long-term contraception.

This Guidance provides information for clinicians providing women with copper-bearing intrauterine devices as long-term contraception. A key to the grades of recommendations, based on levels of evidence, is given at the end of this document. Details of the methods used by the Clinical Effectiveness Unit (CEU) in developing this Guidance and evidence tables summarising the research basis of the recommendations are available on the Faculty website (www.

A consensus process to adapt the World Health Organization selected practice recommendations for UK use.

The nominal group technique for consensus development was used to consider the World Health Organization Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use for adoption or adaptation in the United Kingdom. The nominal group comprised 11 opinion leaders who agreed that 74% of the WHO recommendations were consistent with current UK practice. Of 63 recommendations considered by the group to be at odds with current practice, 23 were adopted with advice that United Kingdom practice should change in line with WHO.

Management of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a complex disorder characterized by severe physical and psychological symptoms. The pathophysiology and effective treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder are presented. Evidence for the effective treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder by correction of neuroendocrine abnormalities or suppression of cyclical ovarian activity is reviewed.

Co-localization of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and mast cell tryptase in the human uterus.

The endometrium displays characteristic cyclical changes involving proliferation and differentiation. The differentiation that takes place requires major tissue remodelling involving the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family as key enzymes in this process. Mast cells, containing the tryptase and chymase enzymes that are capable of stimulating the MMP cascade, have been identified in the endometrium, but their role is still unclear.

Intrauterine polyps--a cause of unscheduled bleeding in women using the levonorgestrel intrauterine system: case report.

The levonorgestrel intrauterine releasing system is a contraceptive that has been shown to reduce menstrual blood loss dramatically. Breakthrough bleeding, however, is a relatively common occurrence as with all methods of progestogen-only contraception and this limits its acceptability for women. Amenorrhoea can be achieved in the majority of women within 12 months of insertion.