The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: an updated review of the contraceptive and noncontraceptive uses.

The levonorgestrel containing intrauterine system is an effective and safe form of long-term yet reversible birth control. Intrauterine contraception use in the United States fell dramatically after early studies reported an association between intrauterine contraception use and later tubal infertility. Subsequent evaluation suggests that these early studies were biased.

Effective use of hormonal contraceptives: Part II: Combined hormonal injectables, progestogen-only injectables and contraceptive implants.

Our objective in this systematic review was to evaluate evidence regarding controversial issues in the clinical management of women using injectable and implantable contraceptives. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for reports of primary research, published from 1966 through April 2005 in peer-reviewed journals, related to the initiation of combined or progestogen-only injectables and contraceptive implants, the effects of late contraceptive injections or the duration of levonorgestrel implant effectiveness. Results of the studies we reviewed showed that initiating injectable and implantable contraceptives through day 7 of the menstrual cycle suppresses follicular activity.

Effective use of hormonal contraceptives: Part I: Combined oral contraceptive pills.

This systematic review examines evidence regarding when during the menstrual cycle a woman can initiate combined oral contraceptive (COC) use and what can be done if a woman misses COCs. We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for articles published from 1966 to March 2005 related to COC initiation and to the effects of late or missed COCs. We identified 11 studies related to COC initiation and 25 studies related to the effects of missed pills.

Contraception for women in selected circumstances.

Objective: To review new evidence regarding ten controversial issues in the use of contraceptive methods among women with special conditions and to present World Health Organization recommendations derived in part from this evidence.

Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE and PREMEDLINE databases for English-language articles, published between January 1995 and December 2001, for evidence relevant to ten key contraceptive method and condition combinations: combined oral contraceptive (OC) use among women with hypertension or headaches, combined OC use for emergency contraception and adverse events, progestogen-only contraception use among young women and among breast-feeding women, tubal sterilization among young women, hormonal contraception and intrauterine device use among women who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, have AIDS, or are at high risk of HIV infection. Search terms included: "contraception," "contraceptives, oral," "progestational hormones," "medroxyprogesterone-17 acetate," "norethindrone," "levonorgestrel," "Norplant," "contraceptives, postcoital," "sterilization, tubal," "intrauterine devices," "hypertension," "stroke," "myocardial infarction," "thrombosis," "headache," "migraine," "adverse effects," "bone mineral density," "breast-feeding," "lactation," "age factors," "regret," and "HIV.