Contraceptive Technology Update – June 1, 2004
June 1, 2004
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Update your practice: Check new WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria
The new World Health Organization (WHO) Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) for Contraceptive Use are being released this spring. The changes made will dramatically affect the provision of contraceptives throughout the world. These are the 10 recommendations that have changed the most. -
FDA approves HIV oral fluid-based test
Get ready to implement new advances in your clinical setting: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of oral fluid samples with a rapid HIV diagnostic test kit to provide accurate screening in as little as 20 minutes. While there are three rapid HIV testing kits now on the market, the OraQuick Rapid HIV Antibody Test is the first to get clearance for use on oral fluid samples, which bypasses the need for needlesticks or fingerpricks for blood samples. -
EC provision doesn’t boost unprotected sex in teens
Does advance access to emergency contraception (EC) in adolescents lead to an increase in unprotected sex? Not according to findings from a newly published study, which indicate advance EC provision does not cause teens to have more unprotected intercourse or practice less consistent contraceptive use. -
Research eyes IUS use for menstrual bleeding
Many women may experience excessive menstrual bleeding, but for those with extreme menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), such blood loss often interferes with daily activities and can lead to anemia. Defined as total menstrual blood loss of more than 80 ml/cycle, menorrhagia affects 15%-20% of American women.As a clinician, you may opt to treat menorrhagia with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, progestins, or oral contraceptives. However, if these approaches prove ineffective, women may seek endometrial resection or ablation or undergo a hysterectomy -
Check new advances in natural family planning
Review the contraceptive options you currently discuss with your female patients. Where does natural family planning enter into the conversation? You may want to include a discussion of the Standard Days Method (SDM). Defined as a fertility-awareness-based method, the SDM is appropriate for women with regular menstrual cycles between 26 and 32 days long. It identifies days 8-19 of the menstrual cycle as the fertile window the days when pregnancy is very likely. -
Abortion, breast cancer not linked, data say
A new analysis of worldwide evidence on the possible relation between breast cancer and previous spontaneous and induced abortions reaffirms earlier findings that pregnancies that end in abortion do not increase a womans risk of developing breast cancer.