Over-the-counter access to hormonal contraception: a global perspective.

Purpose Of Review: Oral contraceptive pills are among the most popular contraceptives worldwide, including among adolescents, and are available over the counter in over 100 countries. However, when a prescription is required, oral contraceptives may be difficult to obtain, particularly for adolescents. Recent approvals of over-the-counter progestin-only pills in the United Kingdom and United States have brought widespread attention to this topic.

A paediatric perspective on hormonal contraception and breast cancer risk: New literature about a recurring question.

recently featured an original research article, 'Contemporary Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of Breast Cancer'. (). This study of 1.

Feasibility of clinical detection of cervical dysplasia using angle-resolved low coherence interferometry measurements of depth-resolved nuclear morphology.

This study sought to establish the feasibility of using in situ depth-resolved nuclear morphology measurements for detection of cervical dysplasia. Forty enrolled patients received routine cervical colposcopy with angle-resolved low coherence interferometry (a/LCI) measurements of nuclear morphology. a/LCI scans from 63 tissue sites were compared to histopathological analysis of co-registered biopsy specimens which were classified as benign, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL).

Diversity of Cervicovaginal Cytokine Response to Incident Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Among a Prospective Cohort of Young Women.

Problem: Animal, in vitro, and ex vivo studies have identified several cytokines involved in host immunity to genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection. However, in vivo cytokine responses are not well described. Our objectives were to document cervicovaginal cytokine levels and intrawoman cytokine changes during incident CT in a prospective cohort.

Biological and behavioral risks for incident Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a prospective cohort.

Objective: To identify biological and behavioral risks for incident Chlamydia trachomatis among a prospective cohort of young women followed frequently.

Methods: Our cohort of 629 women from two outpatient sites was seen every 4 months (October 2000 through April 2012) for behavioral interviews and infection testing. C trachomatis was tested annually and any time patients reported symptoms or possible exposure using commercial nucleic acid amplification tests.

Adolescent contraception: review and guidance for pediatric clinicians.

The objectives of this article are to review current contraceptive methods available to adolescents and to provide information, guidance, and encouragement to pediatric clinicians to enable them to engage in informed up-to-date interactions with their sexually active adolescent patients. Pregnancy prevention is a complex and dynamic process, and young people benefit from having a reliable authoritative source for information, counseling, and support. Clinicians who provide services for adolescents have a responsibility to develop their skills and knowledge base so that they can serve as that source.

Active squamous metaplasia of the cervical epithelium is associated with subsequent acquisition of human papillomavirus 16 infection among healthy young women.

Background: Vulnerability of younger women to human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) infection has been attributed to the predominance of ectocervical columnar epithelia in this age group. However, squamous metaplastic tissue may be more influential. We examined the extent of ectopy and metaplastic activity as risks for HPV16 acquisition in a prospective cohort.

Cervical ectopy and the acquisition of human papillomavirus in adolescents and young women.

Objective: Higher rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) in adolescents and younger women have been attributed to their greater extent of "cervical ectopy," defined as columnar and metaplastic epithelia on the ectocervix. Our objective was to estimate associations between ectopy and incident HPV in healthy adolescents and young women.

Methods: Enrolled between October 2000 and October 2002, this prospective cohort included women aged 13-21 years who were sexually active, without previous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical procedures, or immunosuppression, with menarche within 6 years before enrollment, and negative for HPV DNA at baseline.

Higher levels of cervicovaginal inflammatory and regulatory cytokines and chemokines in healthy young women with immature cervical epithelium.

Young women aged 15-24 years have the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The vulnerability of adolescents is often attributed to risky sexual behaviors, whereas biological factors affecting mucosal immunity are poorly understood. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine associations between the type of cervical epithelium and protein levels of 11 cervicovaginal cytokines and chemokines in non-pregnant healthy young women.

Factors that influence the rate of epithelial maturation in the cervix in healthy young women.

Purpose: To examine the longitudinal changes in the epithelial topography of the cervix in healthy young women; and to determine the sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological factors associated with the rate of cervical epithelial maturation.

Methods: Healthy young women were enrolled from October 2000 to September 2002 as part of a larger study of human papillomavirus (HPV). At interval visits, interviews, infection testing, and colpophotography (3% acetic acid; 10x, 16x magnifications) were performed.

Sexual behaviors after universal screening of sexually transmitted infections in healthy young women.

Objective: To prospectively study the relationship between diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at entry to U.S. Marines recruit training and subsequent sexual behaviors during vacation.

Examination of the treatment and follow-up care for adolescents who test positive for Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Objective: To document the comprehensive management of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in sexually active 14- to 19-year-old adolescents.

Design: A chart review of both paper and electronic records to examine documentation of treatment and follow-up of adolescents who tested positive for C. trachomatis infection.