Assessment of the quality of cervical mucus among users of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system at different times of use.

Background And Objectives: The quality of cervical mucus (CM) among the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users is controversial. The objectives were to assess CM compared to the levels of oestradiol (E2) and the frequency of cycles with luteal activity among users of the LNG-IUS.

Materials And Methods: In total, 224 LNG-IUS users for between two months and five years were recruited at a Brazilian family planning clinic.

Human vaginal histology in long-term users of the injectable contraceptive depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Objectives: Apparently, depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) increases a woman's risk of acquiring HIV. The objective of this study was to test whether the vaginal mucosal thickness and Langerhans cell counts were significantly different in long-term DMPA users compared with women users of an intrauterine device (IUD) who had never used DMPA.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Management of missing strings in users of intrauterine contraceptives.

Background: A common question among health care professionals is how to manage nonvisible strings in users of intrauterine contraceptives (IUCs) at repeat follow-up visits. This study assessed the position of the IUCs in women who consulted repeatedly with nonvisible IUC strings.

Study Design: The medical records of the clinic were reviewed to identify new acceptors and switchers who had an IUC inserted between 1990 and 2009.

In vitro assessment of some sperm function following exposure to levonorgestrel in human fallopian tubes.

Background: The mechanism of action of levonorgestrel (LNG) as emergency contraception (EC) remains a subject of debate and its effect on sperm function has been only partially explained. The aim of this study was to assess whether LNG at a similar dose to those found in serum following oral intake for EC could affect spermatozoa when exposed to human fallopian tubes in vitro.

Methods: Fifteen mini-laparotomies were performed, the side on which ovulation occurred was recorded, and both tubes were removed and perfused with a suspension containing 1 × 10(6) motile spermatozoa, with or without LNG.

Long-term assessment of forearm bone mineral density in postmenopausal former users of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Background: There are many controversies on the association between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and bone mineral density (BMD). This study reevaluated BMD in postmenopausal women who had used DMPA as a contraceptive until they reached menopause and compared them with non-users. BMD had previously been measured in these women either at 1 year or 2-3 years after menopause and was reassessed in these women 2 years later.

Length of the endometrial cavity as measured by uterine sounding and ultrasonography in women of different parities.

Background: In view of current controversies regarding the need for new, shorter intrauterine devices (IUDs) that would reduce expulsion rates in nulligravida, endometrial cavity length was measured in women of different parities using uterine sounding and ultrasonography.

Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed including 570 women of 17-52 years of age, 260 of whom were nulligravida and 310 parous.

Results: The difference in mean length between measurements taken by uterine sounding and ultrasonography was 0.

Forearm bone mineral density in postmenopausal former users of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women who had used depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) or a copper intrauterine device (IUD) as a comparison group until menopause.

Study Design: BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the nondominant forearm for up to 3 years following menopause in 135 women aged 43-58 years: 36 former DMPA users and 99 former IUD users.

Results: Mean duration of use was (mean+/-SEM) 9.

Prostate-specific antigen in vaginal fluid after exposure to known amounts of semen and after condom use: comparison of self-collected and nurse-collected samples.

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in vaginal fluid indicates exposure to semen, and was used to assess condom effectiveness, although validity and reliability have not been fully evaluated. Our objective was to compare PSA in self-collected samples with samples collected by a nurse.

Methods: We conducted two studies, each with 100 women aged 18-48 years.

Usefulness of FSH measurements for determining menopause in long-term users of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate over 40 years of age.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) measurements for determining menopause in 40-55-year-old users of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).

Study Design: FSH levels were measured in 355 blood samples from 82 amenorrheic women during an 18-month period. Blood was collected every 90 days immediately prior to DMPA administration.

[The option for vasectomy and gender relations].

A qualitative study was performed to: investigate the process that leads couples to decide for vasectomy; characterize the gender relations involved in this process; and identify sources of information on vasectomy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 couples who had requested vasectomy at the outpatient clinic of the Center for Integrated Women's Health Care, State University in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. A structured form was used to collect social, economic, and demographic data.