The combined etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol contraceptive vaginal ring.

Many factors influence the effectiveness of contraceptive methods. Oral contraceptives are the second most popular contraceptive method after female sterilization in the US. A total of 25% of women do not use their oral contraceptives correctly; 30% of women do not use them consistently.

Changes in bleeding patterns with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate subcutaneous injection 104 mg.

Objective: This study aims to assess changes in bleeding patterns with the use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) 104 mg/0.65 ml subcutaneous injection (DMPA-SC 104).

Study Design: An analysis was conducted using data from two 1-year, noncomparative clinical trials (N=1787) and a 2-year randomized study comparing DMPA-SC 104 (N=266) with DMPA intramuscular injection (DMPA-IM).

Women's and providers' attitudes toward menstrual suppression with extended use of oral contraceptives.

The United States Food and Drug Administration approved a dedicated extended regimen of oral contraceptive (OC) pill in the fall of 2003. Few studies have explored how women or providers feel about menstrual suppression. This study describes women's and providers' attitudes toward menstrual suppression.

Compelling reasons for recommending IUDs to any woman of reproductive age.

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a highly effective method of contraception that, as opposed to other countries around the world, is underutilized in the United States by women of all ages. Lingering concerns about the safety of IUDs are in large part responsible for their lack of adoption, but a systematic review published recently nullified some of the major safety concerns about IUD use. The author summarized the methodologically sound evidence regarding the risk of upper-genital-tract infection and infertility associated with IUD use and reported that a slightly increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) exists only in the first month following IUD insertion; that the risk of PID in women with symptomless sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) having an IUD inserted is similar to the risk in women not having an IUD inserted; and that there appears to be no negative effect on fertility following IUD removal.