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Postpartum IUDS: keys for success.

Intrauterine device (IUD) insertion is convenient and efficient in the postplacental and immediate postpartum periods. Insertion at these times is demonstrably safe, having a low incidence of infection, few bleeding problems, and low perforation rates. IUD expulsion rates can vary widely, and are a function of timing of insertion, type of IUD, and insertion technique. When a copper T device is inserted postplacentally or immediately postpartum by an experienced and trained clinician, expulsion rates of about 7-15 per 100 users at six months can be expected. Women must be told how to detect expulsions and instructed to return for reinsertion or for another method. Most investigators emphasize that high fundal IUD placement will reduce the expulsion rate. Unplanned pregnancy rates for postplacental IUD insertion range from 2.0-2.8 per 100 users at 24 months when using modern copper IUDs, correct insertion technique, careful postinsertion instructions and good follow-up. Postplacental insertions are performed manually or with a ring forceps. Immediate postpartum insertions (10 minutes to 48 hours after delivery) are performed with the ring forceps.

Contraception

One-year clinical experience with FlexiGard.

In 1988, a clinical study with a new copper-containing IUD, the FlexiGard, was initiated at the Family Planning Center of the UMSD, Debrecen, Hungary. The aim of this trial was to measure the overall performance of the device with special attention to its frameless design and anchoring system. In one year (from May 1988 through May 1989), 344 FlexiGard devices were inserted in parous women during the first seven days of their menstrual cycle. This report summarizes the one-year results. By the end of the 12 -month follow-up period, 3484 woman-months of use (WMU) were accumulated. The number of women who completed the one-year follow-up period was 264. During this period, 33 cases were terminated for different reasons. The net continuation rate is 89.7 at the end of the first year of use. The device was well retained by the uterus (cumulative expulsion rate 1.5 at 12 months). The cumulative removal rate for bleeding/pain is 4.4 at 12 months and the cumulative pregnancy rate 0.6 at 12 months. The results confirm those of previously conducted multicenter studies with the device. This new generation intrauterine copper contraceptive (ICC) is well tolerated, which is attributed to its design characteristics. Besides, the device is highly effective, and its insertion is easy and safe. Removal of the ICC is equally easily accomplished.

Adolescent

Benefits and risks of oral contraceptive use.

As a general rule, the lowest-dose oral contraceptive should be prescribed that minimizes side effects while maintaining contraceptive protection. A woman who experiences mild side effects should be encouraged to tolerate symptoms for three menstrual cycles before a decision is made to change the prescription. Compliance may also be improved by informing women of the noncontraceptive health benefits of oral contraceptives: less menstrual blood loss and a lower incidence of menorrhagia, irregular bleeding, benign breast disease, endometrial cancer, dysmenorrhea, ovarian cysts or tumors, and salpingitis. Adequate patient education and supportive counseling are key factors in patient satisfaction and hence compliance.

Age Factors

Selectivity and minimal androgenicity of norgestimate in monophasic and triphasic oral contraceptives.

The contraceptive progestin norgestimate (NGM) has a high affinity for uterine progestin receptors and a lack of affinity for androgen receptors similar to that of natural progesterone. NGM's selectivity results in excellent efficacy, cycle control, and minimal androgenicity when it is combined with ethinyl estradiol (EE). Clinical studies of a monophasic regimen of NGM/EE indicate a positive impact on lipid metabolism, revealing an increase in serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with a concomitant and significant decrease in the low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Little impact on carbohydrate metabolism was noted. Serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin, an indicator of androgen-estrogen balance, also increased significantly with NGM/EE in accordance with its low androgenic activity. A significant between-regimen difference in SHBG was seen in a comparison study of NGM/EE and LNG/EE triphasic formulations (a mean rise of 68.6% with NGM/EE vs a decrease of 6.1% with LNG/EE). NGM's lack of estrogenicity was evidenced by unchanged prolactin levels and absence of effect on the coagulation system. In a large study of the monophasic formulation in 59,701 women, some improvement in acne was reported as well as minimal weight gain. An overview of clinical data is provided from United States and European trials as well as some preclinical data relevant to NGM's selectivity.

Acne Vulgaris

Choosing condoms.

Condoms for men are currently the most effective of the nonprescription contraceptive methods. They are readily available, simple to use, and relatively inexpensive, and they are not associated with major adverse effects. If used both properly and consistently, condoms can significantly reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other STDs. The protection offered by the latex condom may be increased by the concurrent use of a vaginal foam or cream containing nonoxynol 9. The practicing pharmacist should know about the variety of condoms available, be able to explain their correct use to maximize effectiveness, and compare condom use with other types of contraceptives. The practitioner should be available to answer patrons' questions and provide counseling on contraceptives and "safe sex" practices.

Choice Behavior

The safety of oral contraceptives: epidemiologic insights from the first 30 years.

Because oral contraceptives are used by tens of millions of healthy women, their safety for short-term and long-term use is an important issue that has been examined in a large number of epidemiologic studies. These studies have become more rigorous and have increased in size and analytic sophistication over the years. Although breast cancer remains the most important safety concern, the bulk of recent data suggests that oral contraceptives have no overall impact on a woman's risk of developing this disease. The results are less clear on the risk of cervical cancer and its precursors because of methodologic problems. However, the newer oral contraceptive formulations no longer appear to be associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction or stroke.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Effect of Norplant implants on liver, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

In this study involving 100 women, the metabolic changes seen with Norplant use were evaluated. Besides a significant increase in serum bilirubin, there were no other changes in liver function to suggest possible hepatocellular dysfunction at the end of five years. Even the raised mean levels of bilirubin remained within the normal clinical range for the local population. As regards lipid metabolism, total triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were decreased through the five years of Norplant use. The HDL-cholesterol showed a significant increase in the first year; it then decreased over the years to its preinsertion level at the end of five years. As a result, the HDL-cholesterol/Total cholesterol - HDL-cholesterol showed a significant increase in the first year and then decreased to almost its preinsertion value at the end of five years. The findings appear to indicate Norplant use not to be contributory to cardiovascular risk. The use of Norplant was not associated with any significant effect on carbohydrate metabolism.

Bilirubin

Clinical and metabolic considerations of long-term oral contraceptive use.

Newer lower dose formulations are associated with an improved cardiovascular disease risk marker profile, which supports their use for longer periods and among older women. Epidemiologic studies of the newer formulations are limited. Without clinical information, an evaluation of the effects of more recent formulations on metabolic risk markers for cardiovascular disease is useful. In a large cross-sectional study, a reduction in the progestin dose and use of alternative progestins substantially reduced the proportion of oral contraceptive users with values associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. No progression in metabolic changes was found by analyzing the effect of the duration of oral contraceptive use. The user's age interacted positively with the oral contraceptive--induced increase in serum triglyceride levels, but there was no interaction of age with the oral contraceptive's effect on oral glucose tolerance, glucose and insulin responses, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein subfraction 2 cholesterol levels.

Age Factors

Oral contraceptive type and functional ovarian cysts.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that multiphasic, low-dose monophasic, and high-dose monophasic oral contraceptives share a common protective effect against functional ovarian cysts. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cohort study using the automatic files of Maine Medicaid to assemble a population of 7462 women between the ages of 15 and 44 who were prescribed an oral contraceptive between Jan. 1, 1987, and Dec. 31, 1988. We included as cases 32 women with a principal diagnosis of a functional ovarian cyst confirmed by medical records as being greater than 20 mm in diameter. RESULTS: At comparison with the absence of an oral contraceptive prescription, we observed decreasing rates of functional ovarian cysts among women prescribed multiphasic pills (rate ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.3000 to 2.31), low-dose monophasic pills with less than or equal to 35 micrograms estrogen (rate ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.17 to 1.33), and high-dose monophasic pills with greater than 35 micrograms estrogen (rate ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 1.34). CONCLUSIONS: The protective effect of oral contraceptives against functional ovarian cysts reported previously for high-dose monophasic pills may be attenuated with newer pills of lower hormonal potency.

Adolescent

Oral contraceptives and gynecologic cancer: an update for the 1990s.

The most recent statistical evidence confirms a protective effect of oral contraceptive use against ovarian and endometrial cancers. Studies of the association between oral contraceptive use and cervical cancer continue to be hampered by confounding factors; however, results suggest that the overall risk of invasive cervical neoplasia is not increased. Although the association between oral contraceptive use and breast cancer remains controversial, existing data strongly suggest that overall risk of breast cancer is not increased by the use of oral contraceptives. In most candidates for oral contraceptive use, the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.

Breast Neoplasms

The underrated benefits of oral contraception: consequences of pregnancy and induced abortion in teenagers.

If complications occur within a pregnancy planned and brought to term, they often can be dealt with and accepted. They are even more traumatic when they occur in an unwanted pregnancy that could have been prevented through contraception. Teenagers, because of their physical and psychological immaturity and also because of their social environment, seem to suffer with undue frequency from the complications of induced abortion. Its result, for the teenager, is a handicapped future in comparison to other women. Hence, access to contraception is important for all women, and especially for teenagers, in order to avoid such prejudicial situations. It is important, then, to prescribe oral contraception for its efficacy and its short- and long-term innocuousness. Because of her immaturity, the pregnant teenager is at risk: of spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, anemia, hemorrhage, and prematurity. She is also at risk because of the social difficulties she will be facing. This is particularly true in families from developing countries. From birth, the child is also at risk: of low birth weight for the term, mortality in the first year of life, and all risks linked to abandonment, or education by a third party. In a proportion of 13 to 30% in western countries and in a proportion of 3% in East Asia or in Northwest Africa (Maghreb), induced abortions are a reflection of the following: early sexual activity without contraception even if fertility is still low in very young teenagers, absence of social protection or social independence, refusal of forced marriage, and presence or absence of liberal legislation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abortion, Induced

Reversible contraception for the woman over 35 years of age.

Methods of reversible contraception, oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, and Norplant (systemic progestin-only contraceptive; Wyeth-Ayerst, Radnor, PA), can be used for women over 35 years of age. Oral contraceptive formulations are safe and effective for healthy women up to the age of menopause. Oral contraceptives in women who do not smoke cigarettes do not result in a significant increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The incidence of breast cancer is not increased in women who have used oral contraceptives. A slight increase was found in younger women who had been on oral contraceptives based on a reanalysis of the contraceptive and steroid hormone study of the Centers for Disease Control. A reduction in the incidence of ovarian epithelial neoplasia by 40% was found in three European case-control studies. Two intrauterine devices are currently available on the US market: Paragard (GynoPharma, Somerville, NJ) and Progestasert (Alza Corp., Palo Alto, CA). Both of these provide highly effective contraception. A World Health Organization prospective randomized study found that there was an increase in pelvic inflammatory disease rates in the first 20 days after intrauterine device insertion. The intrauterine device itself did not increase the pelvic inflammatory disease incidence rates. The Norplant system exerts its contraceptive action through ovulation inhibition and alteration of cervical mucus. The major consumer complaint is irregular or prolonged uterine bleeding, which can be controlled by oral estrogen.

Adult

Contraception for midlife women.

Women wish to continue to be sexually active long after their desire to bear children. The risks associated with unintended pregnancy easily can be avoided by providing women with information about, and access to, contraceptives that are safe and effective. Because fertility naturally declines with age, different contraceptives may be more suitable for women toward the end of their reproductive years than were appropriate at periods of peak fertility. This article discusses the risks and benefits of various contraceptives for midlife women and the implications of this information on nursing practice.

Adult

The cervical cap.

The Prentif cavity rim (PCR) cervical cap offers American women a barrier method alternative that is safe, effective, and convenient. Despite its many advantages and benefits, disadvantages have been documented. These include limited availability and side effects, such as cap dislodgement, partner discomfort, and bad odor of the cervical cap. However, many women decide the benefits and advantages associated with the PCR cervical cap outweigh the risks and possible side effects, making it an appealing alternative.

Adult

Impediments to safer heterosexual sex: a review of research with young people.

This article reviews the existing British literature on the micro-social details of young people's heterosexual encounters, emphasizing the cultural factors which impede the adoption of health education advice. Most of the findings cited come from qualitative projects that relied primarily on detailed interviews or group discussions. Six issues are highlighted: difficulties in talking about sex; the gender-role expectations brought to an encounter; the primary function of condoms as contraceptives; problems in buying, carrying and using condoms; how the stage of a particular relationship affects behaviour, and gendered power relations. Several important issues are not addressed in the existing literature. The survey data on sexual behaviour suggest that HIV has had little impact on sexual activity, apart from a reported increase in condom use. Qualitative studies reveal the moral categories, gender-role expectations, power inbalances and other cultural factors that prevent a high level of knowledge about HIV transmission from being translated into safer heterosexual behaviour. Their findings provide important insights into how realistic and practical safer sex messages are. They suggest that to promote health in respect to HIV it is necessary not only to advocate specific precautionary behaviour, such as using condoms, but also to address wider cultural issues relating to the taboos around the discussion of sex and the empowerment of women.

Adolescent