Contraceptive Technology Update – June 1, 2005
June 1, 2005
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Warning: Teenagers may view noncoital sex as a safe option
You have just finished taking a medical history of an adolescent patient who has come in for contraceptive counseling. You have provided information on ways to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and youve talked about the risks of being sexually active. But did your conversation specifically address oral sex? -
Update: Today contraceptive sponge returns to U.S. drugstore shelves
Women who have been waiting for news of the Today contraceptive sponges re-emergence on U.S. market shelves can relax; the popular over-the-counter contraceptive should return to drugstore shelves this summer following the Food and Drug Administrations (FDAs) recent approval of the sponges manufacturing facility. -
Are you offering enough information on IUD use?
If you think you are providing adequate information on intrauterine contraception during your reviews of birth control options, think again. Women are not getting the full message about this effective form of birth control. -
Draw the circle wide to add contraceptive ring
When reviewing contraceptive options with patients, what information do you provide on the vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing, Organon USA, Roseland, NJ). Recent information indicates that vaginal administration of contraceptive hormones can result in lower doses, steady drug levels, and less frequent administration than the oral route. -
Time to take aim at treating trichomoniasis
While trichomoniasis is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States,1 reports of metronidazole-resistant trichomoniasis are increasing. New evidence indicates that tinidazole (Tindamax, Presutti Laboratories, Rolling Meadows, IL), recently introduced in the United States, is an effective therapy for metronidazole-resistant trichomoniasis and is well tolerated even at high doses. -
Washington Watch: Health plans proposal poses access problems
The Bush administration and conservative members of Congress are touting legislation to create Association Health Plans (AHPs) as one of their answers to the growing problem of the nations uninsured, which totaled 45 million in 2003. These plans would allow professional and trade associations to band together to use their heightened purchasing power to offer insurance coverage to their members. -
Enter nominations now for clinician award
Nominations are being accepted for the Inspirations in Womens Health contest, sponsored by the Washington, DC-based National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Womens Health (NPWH) and the St. Paul, MN-based 3M Pharmaceuticals. The contest recognizes nurse practitioners who go above and beyond the call of duty in the areas of womens reproductive and sexual health.