Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jill E. Long, Min S. Lee, Diana L. Blithe
Summary: New methods of male contraception are being developed, including both hormonal and nonhormonal options. The NICHD is supporting the development of reversible male contraceptive agents, but industry involvement remains limited.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ana Luiza Vilela Borges, Christiane Borges do Nascimento Chofakian, Osmara Alves Viana, Eveline do Amor Divino
Summary: The study aimed to estimate the total contraceptive discontinuity rates in the use of oral and injectable hormonal contraceptives, and male condoms, as well as dropout rates due to switches to more effective and less effective methods. The results showed high contraceptive discontinuity rates with varied reasons, with about half of the users switching to other methods after 12 months.
CADERNOS DE SAUDE PUBLICA
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Forslund, Johanna Melin, Simon Alesi, Terhi Piltonen, Daniela Romualdi, Chau Thien Tay, Selma Witchel, Alexia Pena, Aya Mousa, Helena Teede
Summary: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of different combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The findings showed that fourth-generation COCPs were effective in reducing body mass index (BMI) and testosterone levels compared to third-generation agents. Ethinyl estradiol (EE)/cyproterone acetate (CPA) was more effective in reducing hirsutism, biochemical hyperandrogenism, and BMI compared to conventional COCPs. However, due to the higher risk of venous thrombotic events (VTE) in the general population, EE/CPA is not recommended as a first-line COCP treatment for PCOS.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lisa B. B. Haddad, Jennifer H. H. Tang, Nicole L. L. Davis, Athena P. P. Kourtis, Lameck Chinula, Albans Msika, Gerald Tegha, Mina C. C. Hosseinipour, Julie A. E. Nelson, Marcia M. M. Hobbs, Pawel Gajer, Jacques Ravel, Kristina De Paris
Summary: Important questions remain on the effects of hormonal contraceptives on the female genital tract and its impact on susceptibility to HIV infection. This study investigated the effects of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and levonogestrel on the vaginal immune milieu and microbiota in Malawian women. Minimal effects were observed, with an association between DMPA use and changes in the IL-12/IL-10 ratio in vaginal fluid in women with HIV and a certain type of vaginal microbiota. However, no long-lasting alterations in immune markers or shifts in microbiota composition were observed.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rania Itani, Hani M. J. Khojah, Samar Karout, Rana Abu-Farha, Tareq L. Mukattash, Deema Rahme, Khouloud Housary, Hiam El Achi, Ali O. Safar, Ismail Karam Al Hajj, Abdalla El-Lakany
Summary: The shortage of oral contraceptive pills in Lebanon due to political instability, economic crisis, and currency devaluation has had serious negative consequences on women's reproductive health. A survey found that over three-quarters of women were unable to find their preferred contraceptive brands, with almost 40% affected by increased prices and 28.4% stockpiling pills. The shortage has led to unplanned pregnancies, dysregulation of menses, and various physical and psychological side effects. It is crucial for healthcare authorities to support the national pharmaceutical industry in producing affordable generic OCPs to meet women's reproductive health needs.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Krzysztof Nowosielski
Summary: The study found differences in sexual behaviors and function in women using oral combined contraceptive pills compared to nonusers, as well as varying impacts on body image, sexual problems, and sexual dysfunction. However, the use of oral combined contraceptive pills was not identified as a risk factor for worse sexual function or sexual dysfunction.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Natalie A. Cameron, Ciantel A. Blyler, Natalie A. Bello
Summary: Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are widely used as effective contraception, but they have a certain association with hypertension. Understanding the relationship between OCPs and hypertension is crucial for assessing the risks and benefits of use, and making individualized contraceptive decisions in light of the increasing prevalence of hypertension.
Article
Neurosciences
Caitlin M. Taylor, Daniella J. Furman, Anne S. Berry, Robert L. White, William J. Jagust, Mark D'Esposito, Emily G. Jacobs
Summary: Using positron emission tomography, this study found differences in dopamine function, particularly in dopamine synthesis capacity and cognitive flexibility, between hormonal contraceptive users and nonusers. The study highlights the importance of understanding the hormonal regulation of the dopamine system in the human brain.
Article
Economics
Gregor Pfeifer, Mirjam Stockburger
Summary: This study analyzes the impact of prescription-free access to morning-after pills on unintended pregnancy and abortion rates. The results show a significant increase in sales and manufacturers' revenues by more than 90%. However, the policy does not significantly reduce abortion rates but unexpectedly increases fertility rates by 4%, particularly among women aged 25-34. The study further investigates the mechanism behind this increase by examining within-country evidence from several EU countries, which suggests a decrease in the use of birth control pills due to easier access to morning-after pills.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isabella C. Young, Aryani Pallerla, Mackenzie L. Cottrell, Panita Maturavongsadit, Alka Prasher, Roopali Shrivastava, Gabriela De la Cruz, Stephanie A. Montgomery, Amanda Schauer, Craig Sykes, Angela D. M. Kashuba, S. Rahima Benhabbour
Summary: An injectable ultra-long-acting, biodegradable, and removable implant has been developed as a multipurpose prevention technology, effectively protecting against both HIV and unplanned pregnancy for 90 days.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Valerie L. Jentsch, Lisa Poetzl, Oliver T. Wolf, Christian J. Merz
Summary: Men and women respond differently to stress and the impact of stress on their cognition and emotion is also different. However, the effects of hormonal contraceptives on this interaction have been overlooked. This selective review highlights how hormonal contraceptives can modulate the effects of stress hormones on cognition and emotion. Several studies have shown that women using hormonal contraceptives may experience reduced or even absent stress effects on cognitive-emotional processes, compared to men or naturally cycling women. The findings suggest that hormonal contraceptives may affect the neuroendocrine stress response and central glucocorticoid sensitivity.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rhiana Mills, Oonagh Comerford, Rapha Krong, Paula Baraitser
Summary: This study aims to observe and document the design process of a WhatsApp delivered self-injectable contraceptive service, and explores how digital services can change the rhythm of healthcare interactions and the challenges of establishing legitimacy through WhatsApp.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Trinidad Montero-Vilchez, Andrea Valenzuela-Amigo, Carlos Cuenca-Barrales, Salvador Arias-Santiago, Ana Leyva-Garcia, Alejandro Molina-Leyva
Summary: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) in HS patients and found that HS patients receiving OCPs had a higher reduction in total abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count at 12 weeks compared to those without OCP treatment.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Alexis C. Edwards, Sara Larsson Lonn, Casey Crump, Eve K. Moscicki, Jan Sundquist, Kenneth S. Kendler, Kristina Sundquist
Summary: Oral contraceptive use may increase the risk of suicidal behavior among young women, but the risk decreases with increased duration of use. Analysis of former users suggests that women susceptible to depression/anxiety are more likely to cease hormonal contraceptive use. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether the observed association is attributable to a causal mechanism.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Primary Health Care
Ghada M. Khafagy, Hebatallah L. Shalaby, Nagwa E. Saad, Marwa D. Hasan
Summary: The study examined the impact of monthly injectable combined contraceptives and combined oral contraceptive pills on patients' mood, finding a higher risk of mild depression associated with both methods, with CIC users showing a slightly higher risk. It is recommended that healthcare providers inform patients about this potential risk and conduct follow-up evaluations.
KOREAN JOURNAL OF FAMILY MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Renee Heffron, Sharon L. Achilles, Laneta J. Dorflinger, Janet P. Hapgood, James Kiarie, Chelsea B. Polis, Petrus S. Steyn
Correction
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Renee Heffron, Sharon L. Achilles, Laneta J. Dorflinger, Janet P. Hapgood, James Kiarie, Chelsea B. Polis, Petrus S. Steyn
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sarah C. Keogh, Easmon Otupiri, Philicia W. Castillo, Doris W. Chiu, Chelsea B. Polis, Emmanuel K. Nakua, Suzanne O. Bell
Summary: The study shows that Ghanaian women value the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives in preventing pregnancy, but concerns about side effects, future fertility impairment, and long-term health issues are the main reasons for discontinuation. Inadequate counseling on these issues highlights the need for better tailored contraceptive counseling to meet individual needs.
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chelsea B. Polis, Carie M. Cox, Ozge Tuncalp, Alexander C. McLain, Marie E. Thoma
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah C. Keogh, Easmon Otupiri, Philicia W. Castillo, Naomi W. Li, Joana Apenkwa, Chelsea B. Polis
Summary: The study found that young Ghanaian women face challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. They prefer contraception methods like condoms, injectables, withdrawal, or implants, and are more likely to be influenced by friends in their contraceptive decision-making.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chelsea B. Polis, Easmon Otupiri, Suzanne O. Bell, Roderick Larsen-Reindorf
Summary: A significant portion of Ghanaian women of reproductive age are using fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs), with at least 18% likely using such methods. Most FABM users in Ghana also use other contraceptive methods concurrently. Older, wealthier, more educated, and women with fewer children are more likely to choose FABMs over hormonal methods/IUDs. While FABM users are more likely to correctly identify fertile times, there is still room for improvement in their knowledge and practices.
GLOBAL HEALTH-SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Onikepe Owolabi, Taylor Riley, Easmon Otupiri, Chelsea B. Polis, Roderick Larsen-Reindorf
Summary: The study reveals that overall, there is limited infrastructural capacity in public facilities in Ghana to provide comprehensive abortion care. However, there are persistent gaps in basic abortion care capacity within health facilities currently providing post-abortion care.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Communication
Zoe H. H. Pleasure, Lori F. F. Frohwirth, Naomi Li, Chelsea B. B. Polis
Summary: This study explored the disruptions in contraceptive care caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Through analyzing Reddit posts, the study found that many individuals faced barriers in accessing reliable and evidence-based information about contraception during the early pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of conversational and interactive means of seeking information, particularly during periods of limited access to clinics.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chelsea B. Polis, Ann Biddlecom, Susheela Singh, Boniface Ayanbekongshie Ushie, Lori Rosman, Abdulmumin Saad
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionate effects on people living in low- and middle-income countries, exacerbating weak health systems. Studies have shown that COVID-19 has impacted the demand for, provision of, and access to contraceptive and abortion-related services, as well as reproductive outcomes. These impacts include increased demand, reduced provision, and increased barriers to accessing these services.
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MATTERS
(2022)
Article
Demography
Chelsea B. Polis, Ann M. Moore, Abdallah Chilungo, Sara Yeatman
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Demography
Chelsea B. Polis, Easmon Otupiri, Michelle Hindin, Doris W. Chiu, Sarah C. Keogh, Cara Aidoo, Roderick Larsen-Reindorf, Suzanne O. Bell
STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chelsea B. Polis, Philicia W. Castillo, Easmon Otupiri, Sarah C. Keog, Rubina Hussain, Emmanuel K. Nakua, Roderick Larsen-Reindorf, Suzanne O. Bell
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah C. Keogh, Easmon Otupiri, Doris W. Chiu, Chelsea B. Polis, Rubina Hussain, Suzanne O. Bell, Emmanuel K. Nakua, Roderick Larsen-Reindorf
Meeting Abstract
Obstetrics & Gynecology
C. Polis, P. Castillo, E. Otupiri, S. Keogh, R. Hussain, E. Nakua, R. Larsen-Reindorf, S. Bell
Article
Demography
Sarah E. K. Bradley, Chelsea B. Polis, Akinrinola Bankole, Trevor Croft
STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING
(2019)
