Three-year efficacy, safety, and tolerability outcomes from a phase 3 study of a low-dose copper intrauterine device.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess 3-year efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the Cu 175 mm intrauterine device (IUD).

Study Design: This single-arm trial recruited participants at risk of pregnancy aged 17 to 45 years at 42 U.S.

EVO100 prevents chlamydia and gonorrhea in women at high risk of infection.

Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of infection for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are increasing in the United States. EVO100 is an investigational antimicrobial, pH-modulating, vaginal gel with active ingredients L-lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate that is being evaluated for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Objective: The objective of this phase 2B/3 study was to assess the efficacy and safety of EVO100 for the prevention of chlamydia and gonorrhea.

A novel vaginal pH regulator: results from the phase 3 AMPOWER contraception clinical trial.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the contraceptive effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of a novel vaginal pH regulator over seven cycles of use.

Study Design: A single-arm, open-label, phase 3 study was conducted across 112 sites in the United States in sexually active 18-35-year-old women at risk of pregnancy. Women administered the study treatment ≤ 1 h before each episode of intercourse.

Effects of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Injection Timing on Medical Abortion Efficacy and Repeat Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of timing of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injection on medical abortion outcome and risk of repeat pregnancy within the subsequent 6 months.

Methods: In a multinational randomized trial, we assigned women undergoing medical abortion who wanted depot medroxyprogesterone acetate to administration either with mifepristone (Quickstart group) or after the abortion (Afterstart group). We ascertained abortion outcome, pregnancies, and contraception use over 7 months.

Effect of Immediate Compared With Delayed Insertion of Etonogestrel Implants on Medical Abortion Efficacy and Repeat Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of insertion of etonogestrel implants with mifepristone compared with after the abortion on the risks of medical abortion failure and repeat pregnancy over the subsequent 6 months.

Methods: In a randomized trial, we assigned patients undergoing medical abortion to receive etonogestrel implants either with the mifepristone (Quickstart group) or after the abortion (Afterstart group). We followed them for 7 months to ascertain abortion outcome, pregnancies, and contraception use.

Understanding women's desires for contraceptive counseling at the time of first-trimester surgical abortion.

Objective: The objective was to investigate whether or not women presenting for a first-trimester surgical abortion want to discuss contraception on the day of their procedure.

Study Design: Between October 2012 and January 2013, an anonymous self-administered survey was distributed to women receiving first-trimester surgical abortions at four northern California family planning clinics. The survey obtained demographic information about each woman and inquired about her desire for contraceptive counseling during her appointment.

Addressing barriers to safe abortion.

The latest World Health Organization data estimate that the total number of unsafe abortions globally has increased to 21.6 million in 2008. There is increasing recognition by the international community of the importance of the contribution of unsafe abortion to maternal mortality.

A multicenter randomized clinical trial of one-rod etonogestrel and two-rod levonorgestrel contraceptive implants with nonrandomized copper-IUD controls: methodology and insertion data.

Background: Comparative data on etonogestrel and two-rod levonorgestrel contraceptive implants are lacking.

Study Design: A multicenter, open, parallel-group trial with random allocation of implants was performed. For every second implant user, an age-matched woman choosing an intrauterine device (IUD) (TCu380A) was admitted.

The use of hormonal contraception among women taking anticonvulsant therapy.

Background: Drug interactions between hormonal contraceptives and anticonvulsants, resulting in reduced contraceptive effectiveness and/or increased seizure activity, have been published.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review, searching PUBMED and The Cochrane Library for articles in any language on use of hormonal contraceptive methods among women taking anticonvulsant therapy from 1966 through 3 May 2010. Forty-three articles were identified and evaluated.

Critical gaps in universal access to reproductive health: contraception and prevention of unsafe abortion.

Unsafe abortion accounts for a significant proportion of maternal deaths, yet it is often forgotten in discussions around reducing maternal mortality. Prevention of unsafe abortion starts with prevention of unwanted pregnancies, most effectively through contraception. When unwanted pregnancies occur, provision of safe, legal abortion services can further prevent unsafe abortions.

Oral contraceptives and family history of breast cancer.

Background: Questions remain regarding whether oral contraceptive (OC) use among women with a family history of breast cancer increases disease risk.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review by searching MEDLINE and CENTRAL databases for evidence (in all languages) published in peer-reviewed journals from 1966 to July 2008 that provided estimates of breast cancer risk according to family history. Twelve articles were identified and the quality of each study was assessed using the United States Preventive Services Task Force grading system.

Use of contraceptive methods by women with current venous thrombosis on anticoagulant therapy: a systematic review.

Background: As nearly all women with venous thromboembolism (VTE) will be treated with anticoagulant therapy, it is important to consider how anticoagulation affects the safety of contraceptive use.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding use of contraceptive methods in women with current VTE on anticoagulant therapy. Due to the limited direct evidence that was identified, we expanded our search to include women on anticoagulant therapy for indications other than VTE and women with bleeding disorders.

Safety of contraceptive method use among women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence on the safety of contraceptive method use among women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Data Sources: We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, and LILACS databases for peer-reviewed articles published from database inception through January 2009, concerning the safety of contraceptive use among women with SLE.

Methods Of Study Selection: We included studies that examined health outcomes among women using a contraceptive method after the diagnosis of SLE.

The association of health insurance with use of prescription contraceptives.

Context: Given that substantial proportions of women of reproductive age lack health insurance coverage, it is important to assess whether lack of insurance is associated with the use of prescription contraceptives, which are the most expensive but also the most effective methods for preventing pregnancy.

Methods: Data from 26,674 females aged 18-44 who participated in the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (representing more than 25 million women in the U.S.

Changes in prescription contraceptive use, 1995-2002: the effect of insurance status.

Objective: To examine changes in prescription contraception use between 1995 and 2002 by insurance status among women at risk for unintended pregnancy.

Methods: Data from the National Survey of Family Growth, including 4,767 women at risk of unintended pregnancy in 1995 and 3,569 in 2002, were used to evaluate changes in primary contraception methods by health insurance status and year of survey. Logistic regression models tested differences in the likelihood of prescription contraceptive use among privately insured, publicly insured, and uninsured women in each year, after controlling for age, race and ethnicity, education, income, employment, marital status, number of children, religion, and self reported overall health.