Patient-centered Contraceptive Counseling and Prescribing.

Learning how to best meet a patient's contraceptive needs improves her chances of using her birth control consistently and is crucial to providing patient-centered care. The best contraceptive method for an individual patient is the one that is safe and that she is most comfortable using. Women's health care providers must be equipped to talk to each patient about her needs and options.

Management of a rapidly enlarging new adnexal mass: a rare case of desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the ovary arising in pregnancy.

Background: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an extremely rare sarcomatous tumor, which is most commonly seen in men. Clinicians managing a patient with a rapidly enlarging mass in pregnancy should be aware of the risk for malignancy.

Case: A 31-year-old woman was found to have a newly enlarged ovarian mass in the second trimester.

Sterilization: A Review and Update.

Sterilization is a frequently used method of contraception. Female sterilization is performed 3 times more frequently than male sterilization, and it can be performed immediately postpartum or as an interval procedure. Methods include mechanical occlusion, coagulation, or tubal excision.

Intrauterine lidocaine infusion for pain management during outpatient transcervical tubal sterilization: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The study was conducted to examine the effects of a 4% intrauterine lidocaine infusion on patient-perceived pain during transcervical sterilization.

Study Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects received standard premedication with 800 mg ibuprofen, 2 mg lorazepam, a 10-mL 1% lidocaine paracervical block and transcervical instillation of 5 mL of either 4% lidocaine or saline 3 min prior to insertion of the hysteroscope.

Update on hormonal contraception and bone density.

Combination hormonal contraception and progestin-only contraception (including depot medroxyprogesterone acetate [DMPA]) are effective and convenient forms of reversible contraception that millions of women use worldwide. In recent years, observations of reduced bone mineral density in current users of these methods have led to concerns that this hormone-induced bone loss might translate into long-term increased fracture risk. Special focus has been placed on adolescent users who have not yet attained their peak bone mass as well as perimenopausal users.

Blood loss at the time of first-trimester surgical abortion in anticoagulated women.

Background: The objective of this study was to compare blood loss resulting from surgical termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks of gestation between women receiving anticoagulation therapy and healthy controls.

Study Design: Women using heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin or warfarin requesting surgical abortion were enrolled and prospectively matched with nonanticoagulated controls. The primary outcome was procedural blood loss.

Oral contraceptives vs injectable progestin in their effect on sexual behavior.

Objective: We sought to compare sexual function and hormone concentrations in combined oral contraceptive (COC) and injectable progestin users.

Study Design: Sexually active COC and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) users completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, a demographic data form, and had serum testosterone and estradiol levels measured. Multiple linear regression was used to measure associations of interest.

Sex education and contraceptive use at coital debut in the United States: results from Cycle 6 of the National Survey of Family Growth.

Background: The study was conducted to characterize the relationship between formal sex education and the use and type of contraceptive method used at coital debut among female adolescents.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional, nationally representative database (2002 National Survey of Family Growth). Contraceptive use and type used were compared among sex education groups [abstinence only (AO), birth control methods only (MO) and comprehensive (AM)].

Cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with prior contraceptive use among hospitalized obstetric patients in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess prevalence and correlates of prior contraceptive use among hospitalized obstetric patients in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Study Design: Medically eligible (e.g.

Contraceptive implants: an overview and update.

Contraceptive implants are safe, highly effective, and long-term methods of contraception that are widely applicable to any reproductive-aged woman. Implants require minimal user compliance and are cost-effective. The new single-rod system simplifies insertion and removal, making implants more accessible for both providers and patients.