Contraceptive Technology Update – September 1, 2021
September 1, 2021
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Behavioral Change Techniques Are Needed to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies
Social and behavioral change are important factors to consider and incorporate into family planning, even before a woman enters a provider’s office. Some social and behavioral change tactics include shared decision-making, ideational models, multifaceted community campaigns, and value clarification exercises. -
Clinicians Need More Research Data to Learn Best Practices in Contraceptive Counseling
New research shows more supportive counseling in reproductive health is needed for adolescents, especially after sexual initiation, and in support of adherence or tolerance of side effects. Access to different types of birth control has increased in the past decade, but not as much progress has been made in supporting decision-making or counseling with respect to neurodevelopmental functioning. -
State Laws and Local Practices Hinder Birth Control Access for Minors
Access to contraceptives for reproductive-age minors varies across the United States but should be accessible to all, according to the authors of a recent paper. State laws often prevent minors from consenting to contraception by themselves or only allow access without parental permission if the minor is married. -
An Investigational Vaginal Film Could One Day Prevent Pregnancy, HIV, Herpes
Researchers are studying a novel contraceptive delivery system, which uses a vaginal film to produce antibodies to sperm. The same film also could be developed to protect against HIV infection and herpes. -
Smart Speakers Can Help Remind Women to Take Their Birth Control Pills
A new program using smart speakers could function as a birth control and other medication reminder, improving adherence, according to the authors of a recent study. -
Peer-Led Family Planning Intervention Can Help Women with Substance Use Disorder
Individuals with substance use disorder and higher rates of unintended pregnancies could benefit from a family planning intervention targeted for that population. The peer-led family planning navigation intervention employed women who were successful in connecting with study participants. -
STI Intervention Tactics in Rural Areas Should Be Prioritized
Rural areas in the United States have limited access to screening and testing of sexually transmitted infections. Tailored interventions for these populations are important. -
Study: Young Cisgender Women Are Less Adherent to PrEP
New research on the proportion of adolescents and young adults who are adherent to pre-exposure prophylaxis revealed that young cisgender women have a lower adherence rate than young men who have sex with men and serodiscordant heterosexual couples. -
Results of HIV Vaginal Ring Study Demonstrate Adherence
Adherence to the dapivirine vaginal ring, a topical HIV-1 agent to prevent HIV infection, improved over time, according to the results of a recent study. The vaginal ring is an investigational pre-exposure prophylactic agent that is inserted in the vagina. The silicone matrix ring is loaded with a microbicidal agent.