Short report: cognitive behavioral therapy - a primary mode for premenstrual syndrome management: systematic literature review.

Most women in reproductive age experience at least one premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptom every month over many years, and about 5% experience significant impairment, requiring professional intervention. Offering effective and sustainable treatment, is essential. While research acknowledges the effectiveness of nonpharmacological methods, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and lifestyle modifications, as a treatment alternative, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or hormonal ovulation suppression continue to be recommended as a first-line treatment.

Use of copper intrauterine device is not associated with higher bacterial vaginosis prevalence in Thai HIV-positive women.

The study assessed and compared bacterial vaginosis (BV) prevalence in Thai women in reproductive age in four study groups - group 1, HIV-positive with copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD); group 2, HIV-positive without Cu-IUD; group 3, HIV-negative with Cu-IUD; and group 4, HIV-negative without Cu-IUD. We conducted a cross-sectional study. BV prevalence was assessed by Nugent score and Amsel criteria.

Low-level genital HIV shedding in Thai HIV-infected women with suppressed plasma viral load after menopause: a longitudinal study.

Objectives: First, to evaluate the longitudinal changes of HIV RNA in genital secretions in HIV-positive women with plasma HIV RNA <50 copies/mL before and after the onset of menopause. Second, to assess inflammatory markers and prevalence of comorbidities after the onset of menopause.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study with two time points.

Strategies to improve the uptake of effective contraception in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents.

Objective: To assess strategies to improve safe-sex practices in sexually active female adolescents living with HIV, through linking reproductive health (RH) care with HIV care.

Methods: A single arm, 48-week prospective study was conducted with 77 sexually active adolescents in five sites in Thailand. Guided RH education was carried out through video, brochures and individual counselling.

Carbohydrate, lipid, bone and inflammatory markers in HIV-positive adolescents on antiretroviral therapy and hormonal contraception.

Background: Little is known about the cumulative effect of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) and hormonal contraception (HC) on metabolism and inflammation in HIV-positive women.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of markers for carbohydrate, lipid, bone metabolism, inflammation and coagulation in HIV-positive adolescents on ART and HC (=37) versus on ART only (=51) in Thailand. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess differences between groups.

Contraceptive challenges in adolescents living with or at risk of HIV.

Many adolescents living with or without HIV are sexually active and in need of continuous free access to a variety of contraceptive methods. Dual contraception, condom use together with reversible effective contraception (hormonal contraception [HC] or intrauterine device), seems to be the most effective option for female adolescents for protection from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. When counselling on specific contraceptive choice, healthcare providers should be aware about possible interactions of some types of HC with the immune system, with possible changes in infectivity, as well as about drug interactions between mainly efavirenz and some types of progestins.

High Variability of Hormonal Levels and No Clinically Relevant Interaction Between Ethinyl Estradiol, Desogestrel and Lopinavir/Ritonavir in a Small Sample of HIV-positive Adolescents.

Background: We report the pharmacokinetic interactions of combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing ethinyl estradiol (EE2)/desogestrel (DSG) with lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in 16 HIV-positive adolescents.

Methods: We measured Ctrough of EE2 and etonogestrel (ENG), the active metabolite of DSG, in HIV-positives on LPV/r-based ART; Ctrough of LPV/r with and without COC; endogenous progesterone. EE2/ENG levels were compared with our own historical data of HIV-negative controls.

Low uptake of HIV testing and no HIV positivity in stable serodiscordant heterosexual partners of long-term treated HIV-infected Thais.

The objective of this study was to characterize HIV-serodiscordant heterosexual couples and to evaluate acceptance for HIV testing and HIV prevalence in nonindex partners. We conducted a cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative components. Two cohorts of 1767 HIV-positive people were screened to identify heterosexual HIV-serodiscordant couples.

Uptake and continuous use of copper intrauterine device in a cohort of HIV-positive women.

Copper intrauterine device (IUD) is not commonly used in many countries, though it provides effective reversible contraception with no or minimal primary systemic side effects. We assessed its uptake and continuation of use among HIV-positive Thai women. Sixty-six of 322 women of reproductive age, whom we approached for the study, met the eligibility criteria.

Efavirenz, in contrast to nevirapine, is associated with unfavorable progesterone and antiretroviral levels when coadministered with combined oral contraceptives.

Background: Effective contraception has been widely promoted for HIV-positive women. However, there are limited data on the interactions between combined hormonal contraceptives and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors .

Methods: This study assessed the steady-state contraceptive effectiveness and safety of combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 0.

Factors associated with the use of irreversible contraception and continuous use of reversible contraception in a cohort of HIV-positive women.

Background: Effective contraception can be lifesaving by reducing maternal mortality linked to childbirth and unsafe abortion and by reducing vertical and horizontal transmission of HIV, in the case of an HIV-positive woman.

Study Design: This study is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. We assessed factors associated with the use of irreversible contraception and the continuous use of reversible contraception in HIV-positive Thai women.

Contraception in HIV-positive female adolescents.

Sexual behavior of HIV-positive youths, whether infected perinatally, through risky behavior or other ways, is not substantially different from that of HIV-uninfected peers. Because of highly active antiretroviral therapy, increasing number of children, infected perinatally, are surviving into adolescence and are becoming sexually active and need reproductive health services. The objective of this article is to review the methods of contraception appropriate for HIV-positive adolescents with a special focus on hormonal contraceptives.