Contraceptive Technology Update 2003-02-01

Rapid HIV testing method approved — prepare now to apply new strategies

How many times have you tested patients to determine their HIV status, never to see them return for the test results? Get ready for that scene to change; the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) recent approval of a new test designed to detect HIV-1 antibodies in fingerstick whole blood samples will allow you to deliver the results in about 20 minutes.

Check counseling skills with rapid HIV tests

Will your facility soon be implementing the OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test? If so, there are several resources to help you get up to speed in offering this new service.

HPV vaccine research yields promising results

What if you could offer your patients a vaccine for protection against human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer? Just-published results from a randomized double-blind study indicates that an investigational vaccine developed by West Point, PA-based Merck & Co. reduced the incidence of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) infection in 100% of women who previously had not been infected with the STD.

Male contraception: Search is on for options

When women enter your family planning clinic, you have a wide array of contraceptive options to offer them. But when men ask about prevention methods, you have three choices: hand them condoms, advise abstinence, or counsel on vasectomy.

Abortion rates continue to drop in U.S. women

While U.S. abortion rates are dropping, particularly among teens, the decline is not equally shared among all women. Rates have increased among those who are economically disadvantaged, according to just-published research from the New York City-based Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI).

More generic OC options on the way

Get set to add more generic oral contraceptives (OCs) to your list of available birth control options as Corona, CA-based Watson Pharmaceuticals is rolling out its brand equivalents of Ortho-Cyclen and Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, two popular pills originally developed by Raritan, NJ-based Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical.

Answers to EC protocol, DMPA impact on lipids

Puzzled about protocols for dispensing emergency contraception (EC) to male partners? Wondering about the impact of depot medroxy-progesterone acetate (DMPA, Depo-Provera, Pharmacia Corp, Peapack, NJ) on lipid levels?

Contraceptive Technology Reports: Sterilization in the Office: The Concept Now is a Reality

Editors note: This article discusses a use of quinacrine that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

STD Quarterly: Herpes vaccine research may hold key to stemming STD

You have just finished counseling a young woman who is frightened and confused after hearing she has contracted genital herpes. While you are able to offer her daily suppressive therapy to help reduce the frequency of outbreaks, you discuss the fact that there is no cure for this sexually transmitted disease (STD).

STD Quarterly: Syphilis rate rises for first time since 1990

Put syphilis detection on your radar screen: Overall rates of primary and secondary syphilis have increased slightly for the first time in more than a decade, according to a new report from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1

STD Quarterly: Register now for HIV prevention conference

Contraceptive Technology Update – February 1, 2003

February 1, 2003