The Latest in Teen Pregnancy Prevention: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Hormonal contraception for female athletes presents special needs and concerns

PURPOSE

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are commonly used by female athletes raising concerns regarding the possible adverse effects of OCs on physical performance, musculoskeletal injuries, and bone density. We aimed to review all current studies on the physiological effects of OCs in physically active women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of literature in electronic search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases from December 2002 to December 2022 using relevant keywords. The reference lists of the articles found eligible were also reviewed.

RESULTS

Out of 344 articles in the initial database, 54 clinical studies were eligible for inclusion in our literature review. OCs are used by about two-thirds of female athletes. Current research suggests that OCs' effects on endurance performance and muscle strength are mostly reassuring. OCs do not seem to have a major negative impact on bone health or sports injuries. In fact, new data suggests that they may even significantly reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

CONCLUSIONS

OCs can be safely used by young female athletes, who may also benefit from better menstrual cycle control. OCs offer newly realised protection from ACL injuries. The use of OCs must be carefully individualised according to their preferences, expectations, and experience.

A randomized double blinded clinical trial to explore the clinical outcomes of vaginal isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) administration six hours prior to T380A intrauterine device insertion in persons delivered only by cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE

To compare insertion pain and ease of insertion in participants with a prior caesarean delivery having copper intrauterine device (IUD) after pretreatment with isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) 900 mg vaginally or placebo.

STUDY DESIGN

From September 2020 to September 2021, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment at Aswan University Hospital in Egypt with participants who were delivered solely by caesarean delivery and desired copper T380A IUD insertion. The participants were randomly assigned to either vaginal INH or placebo six hours before IUD insertion in a 1:1 ratio. The primary objective of the research was the individuals' self-reported pain during cervical tenaculum placement, sound insertion, IUD insertion, and 5 minutes after the placement, as measured by a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Our secondary outcomes were ease of insertion, satisfaction, the need for analgesics, and adverse effects. IUD insertion ease was graded from 0 to 10 on a 10-cm VAS scale, with 0 suggesting very easy insertion and 10 denoting extremely difficult insertion.

RESULTS

When compared to the placebo group, the INH group experienced considerably less pain during IUD insertion (2.9±0.85vs.5.11±0.82;p<0.01), lower median ease of insertion score (3(1-4)vs.5(3-6);p<0.01), and better satisfaction (8.17±0.69vs.5.57±0.75). The two groups had comparable side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal INH administered before IUD insertion reduce the amount of discomfort participants feel throughout the process in individuals who had previously only been delivered via CD. It also has the potential to make insertion easier.

IMPLICATIONS

In participants who were delivered solely by CD before, vaginal INH given prior to IUD placement reduces the amount of discomfort participants experience throughout the procedure. Furthermore, it could increase the ease of insertion.

Factors associated with highly effective contraceptive use among reproductive-age women in Peru: Evidence from a nationwide survey

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the factors associated with highly effective contraceptive (HEC) use among reproductive-age women in Peru, using evidence from a nationwide survey.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed the data corresponding to a national representative sample of 30,169 Peruvian women aged 15-49 years, surveyed during the Demographic and Family Health Survey, 2017. Usage of HEC methods included pills, IUD, injections, sterilization and implant. We assessed the factors associated with its use using Poisson regression models, reporting the crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with their respective 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI).

RESULTS

The prevalence of HEC use was 29.9 %. Factors related to a more likely use of HEC methods were having one (aPR: 4.03; 95 % CI: 3.19-5.09) or more children (aPR: 5.60; 95 % CI: 4.42-7.09), and having a health insurance children (aPR: 1.14; 95 % CI: 1.05-1.24). Women from the highlands (aPR: 0.74; 95 % CI: 0.67-0.81), aged ≥35 years (aPR: 0.78; 95 % CI: 0.67-0.90), not currently married or cohabiting (aPR: 0.52; 95 % CI: 0.47-0.58), and who considered it really hard to have to take transportation when they need medical help or advice (aPR: 0.92; 95 % CI: 0.86-0.99) were less likely to use highly effective contraception.

CONCLUSION

Quality and access to reproductive health is still a challenge in Peru. Family planning programs should be better disseminated and integrated. Similarly, promotion of educational campaigns and easy access to HEC methods are needed.