Cost-effectiveness of emergency contraception options over 1 year

Reversible Contraception in Males: An Obtainable Target?

The last few decades have brought contraception to the forefront of research, with great strides made in effectively targeting and optimizing the physiology, pharmacology, and delivery processes that prevent pregnancy. However, these advances still predominantly target female contraceptives for the prevention of contraception, whereas targeting the male sex has lagged far behind. This has led to a marked deficiency in safe and effective male contraceptive agents, resulting in a heavy dependence on female contraceptives to prevent unwanted and unplanned pregnancies. Current research in the veterinary field and in rodents highlights several promising avenues whereby novel, safe, and effective male contraceptive alternatives are being developed-with an emphasis on reduced side effects and reversibility potential. This review aims to discuss current and novel male contraceptives (both human and veterinary formulations) while highlighting their efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages.

Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (EC) refers to several contraceptive options that can be used within a few days after unprotected or under protected intercourse or sexual assault to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Current EC options available in the United States include the copper intrauterine device (IUD), levonorgestrel (LNG) 52 mg IUD, oral LNG (such as Plan B One-Step, My Way, Take Action), and oral ulipristal acetate (UPA) (ella). These clinical recommendations review the indications, effectiveness, safety, and side effects of emergency contraceptive methods; considerations for the use of EC by specific patient populations and in specific clinical circumstances and current barriers to emergency contraceptive access. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of LNG IUDs for emergency contraceptive use; address the effects of repeated use of UPA at different times in the same menstrual cycle; assess the impact on ovulation of initiating or reinitiating different regimens of regular hormonal contraception following UPA use; and elucidate effective emergency contraceptive pill options by body mass indices or weight.

Emergency contraception subsidy in Canada: a comparative policy analysis

BACKGROUND

In Canada, cost prohibits access to emergency contraception (EC) which may assist to prevent unintended pregnancy. The drug, ulipristal acetate (UPA-EC), is more clinically effective and cost-effective than the prior standard levonorgestrel (LNG-EC). We analyzed provincial EC subsidization policies and examined underlying decision-making processes.

METHODS

We undertook documentary analysis of provincial EC subsidization policies in publicly available drug formularies. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants to explore the processes underlying current policies.

RESULTS

Quebec is the only province to subsidize UPA-EC, whilst all ten provinces subsidize LNG-EC. As such, provincial EC subsidization policies do not align with the latest UPA-EC evidence. Interviews revealed that evidence was valued in the policymaking process and formulary decisions were made through interdisciplinary consensus.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify a gap between EC subsidization policies and the latest evidence. Institutional structures affect policies reflecting evolving evidence. Increasing interdisciplinary mechanisms may encourage evidence-based policies.

Modeling the impact of a health coaching intervention to prevent teen pregnancy

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Health coaching is an effective intervention to improve adolescent contraceptive use outcome.

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A microsimulation model of teen pregnancy was developed and used to assess the health and economic impact of a health coaching intervention to prevent teen pregnancy.

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Health coaching intervention for adolescent contraceptive use is cost-effective.

Teenage pregnancy is an important public health issue in the United States, presenting significant health and economic risks to adolescents and the society. Health coaching is a potentially effective intervention in preventing teen pregnancy. In 2017, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia implemented a health coaching program among sexually active teenage girls, which improved their contraceptive continuation rates. However, the cost-effectiveness of the health coaching program is not clear. We developed a microsimulation model of teen pregnancy that can predict the number of teen pregnancies and related birth outcomes. Model parameters were estimated from the literature and the health coaching program. The teen pregnancy model was used to assess how the program could influence direct health care costs and pregnancy outcomes. Our model projected that the health coaching program could prevent 15 teen pregnancies per 1000 adolescents compared to no intervention. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for the intervention was $309 per pregnancy prevented, which was less than the willingness-to-pay threshold of $4,206 per pregnancy. Thus, the health coaching intervention was cost-effective. Our study provides promising data on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a health coaching intervention to reduce the burden of teen pregnancies. Health practitioners should consider implementing the program for a longer term and at a larger scale.

Contraception for Adolescents and Young Women with Type 2 Diabetes-Specific Considerations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews how to address contraception in young women with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The presence of obesity and comorbidities associated with insulin resistance increases the risk of thromboembolic disease and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have shown that adolescents with T2D are at high risk of unintended pregnancy with poor outcomes for the mother and offspring. Adolescents with T2D without severe obesity, micro- or macrovascular disease, or other cardiovascular risk factors can use any contraceptive method. However, only nonhormonal or progestin-only methods may be used when morbid obesity, severe hypertension, micro- or macrovascular disease, or multiple cardiovascular risk factors are present. The medical team must provide preconceptional counseling and contraception to reduce adolescent pregnancies in young women with T2D. Progestin-only or nonhormonal long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) should be recommended for women with T2D with compliance issues or adverse cardiovascular risk profiles.

Effect of Mirena placement on reproductive hormone levels at different time intervals after artificial abortion

BACKGROUND

Improper methods of contraception greatly increase the risk of abortion, cervical or endometrial lesions, and the number of recurrent artificial abortions. These complications result in the deterioration of a patient’s outcome. Further, the proportion of artificial abortions is highest among unmarried females. Placement of an intrauterine device, such as the Mirena, after an artificial abortion may decrease the likelihood of an endometrial injury caused by recurrent abortions while significantly improving its contraceptive effects.

AIM

To discuss the effect of Mirena placement on reproductive hormone levels at different time points after an artificial abortion.

METHODS

Women (n = 119) undergoing an artificial abortion operation were divided into the study (n = 56) and control (n = 63) groups. In the study group, the Mirena was inserted immediately after the artificial abortion, whereas in the control group, it was inserted 4–7 d after the onset of the first menstrual cycle after abortion. All participants were followed-up for 6 mo to observe the continuation and expulsion rates and adverse reactions and to measure the levels of serum estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).

RESULTS

The continuation rates were 94.64% and 93.65% in the study group and the control group, respectively. The expulsion rates were 1.79% and 3.17% in the study group and the control group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were also no statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients with bacterial vaginitis, trichomonas vaginitis, or cervicitis between the groups (P > 0.05). Six months after Mirena placement, E2 Levels were 45.50 ± 7.13 pg/mL and 42.91 ± 8.10 pg/mL, FSH 13.60 ± 3.24 mIU/mL and 14.54 ± 3.11 mIU/mL, and LH 15.11 ± 2.08 mIU/mL and 14.60 ± 3.55 mIU/mL in the study and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in hormone levels between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were also no statistically significant differences in the proportions of abnormal menstruation, prolonged menstruation, or pain during intercourse between the study and control groups after Mirena placement (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in uterine volume, sexual desire, sexual activity, or the sexual satisfaction score between the study and control groups before and after Mirena placement (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Placement of a Mirena intrauterine device immediately after an artificial abortion does not increase the risk of adverse reactions and can help prevent endometrial injury caused by recurrent abortions.

Stepwise Approach to the Management of Endometriosis-Related Dysmenorrhea: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cost effectiveness of sequential medical and surgical therapy for the treatment of endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea.

METHODS

A cost-effectiveness model was created to compare three stepwise medical and surgical treatment strategies compared with immediate surgical management for dysmenorrhea using a health care payor perspective. A theoretical study cohort was derived from the estimated number of reproductive age (18-45) women in the United States with endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea. The treatment strategies modeled were: strategy 1) nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) followed by surgery; strategy 2) NSAIDs, then short-acting reversible contraceptives or long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) followed by surgery; strategy 3) NSAIDs, then a short-acting reversible contraceptive or LARC, then a LARC or gonadotropin-releasing hormone modulator followed by surgery; strategy 4) proceeding directly to surgery. Probabilities, utilities, and costs were derived from the literature. Outcomes included cost, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In this theoretical cohort of 4,817,894 women with endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea, all medical and surgical treatment strategies were cost effective at a standard willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY gained when compared with surgery alone. Strategy 2 was associated with the lowest cost per QALY gained ($1,155). Requiring a trial of a third medication before surgery would cost an additional $257 million, compared with proceeding to surgery after failing two medical treatments. The probability of improvement with surgery would need to exceed 83% for this to be the preferred first-line approach.

CONCLUSION

All sequential medical and surgical management strategies for endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea were cost effective when compared with surgery alone. A trial of hormonal management after NSAIDs, before proceeding to surgery, may provide cost savings. Delaying surgical management in an individual with pain refractory to more than three medications may decrease quality of life and increase cost.

Provision of contraceptive implants in school-based health centers: A cost-effectiveness analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of providing contraceptive implants in school-based health centers (SBHCs) compared to the practice of referring adolescents to non-SBHCs in New York City.

STUDY DESIGN

We developed a microsimulation model of teen pregnancy to estimate the cost-effectiveness of immediate provision of contraceptive implants at SBHCs over a 3-year time horizon. Model parameters were derived from both a retrospective chart review of patient data and published literature. The model projected the number of pregnancies as well as the total costs for each intervention scenario. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated using the public payer perspective, using direct costs only.

RESULTS

The health care cost of immediate provision of contraceptive implants at SBHCs was projected to be $13,719 per person compared to $13,567 per person for delayed provision at the referral appointment over 3 years. However, immediate provision would prevent 78 more pregnancies per 1000 adolescents over 3 years. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for implementing in-school provision was $1940 per additional pregnancy prevented, which was less than the $4206.41 willingness-to-pay threshold. Sensitivity analyses showed that the cost-effectiveness conclusion was robust over a wide range of key model inputs.

CONCLUSION

Provision of contraceptive implants in SBHCs compared to non-SBHCs is cost-effective for preventing unintended teen pregnancy. Health care providers and policymakers should consider expanding this model of patient-centered health care delivery to other locations.