ScienceDaily: Birth Control News

Hormone levels may provide key to understanding psychological disorders in women

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:17:17 EDT

Women at a particular stage in their monthly menstrual cycle may be more vulnerable to some of the psychological side-effects associated with stressful experiences, according to a study from UCL.

Women altering menstruation cycles in large numbers

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:21:21 EDT

A surprisingly large number of women 18 or older choose to delay or skip monthly menstruation by deviating from the instructions of birth-control pills and other hormonal contraceptives, scientists have found

Medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may affect abortion rate in women

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:54:54 EDT

A new study reveals that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were on methotrexate, a drug commonly used to reduce inflammation caused by RA, had lower rates of induced abortions compared to women with RA who were not exposed to the medication.

Twelve principles for effective contraceptive counseling

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:48:48 EDT

New research has led experts to suggest 12 evidence-based principles that can be used to improve contraceptive counseling of adolescents in US health care clinics, doctor's offices, and health service organizations.

Debunking a myth: IUDs proven safe birth control for teenagers

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:45:45 EDT

Intrauterine devices are as safe for teenagers -- including those who have never given birth -- as they are for adults, according to new research.

Contraception in women over 40

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:34:34 EST

Despite declining fertility, women over age 40 still require effective contraception if they wish to avoid pregnancy. A review article outlines the risks and benefits of various contraceptive options for these women. The article is aimed at helping physicians find the best methods for their patients.

Parents of teen girls more accepting of birth control pills than other contraceptive methods, study finds

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:58:58 EST

Parents are more accepting of their teenage daughters using birth control pills than any other form of contraception, including condoms, according to a recent study. The most effective contraceptive methods, the implant -- a matchstick-sized rod that is inserted in the arm to prevent pregnancy -- and the intrauterine device (IUD), were acceptable to a minority of parents.

Certain hormonal contraceptive may pose risk of Type 2 diabetes for obese women

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:21:21 EST

A first-of-its-kind study by researchers indicates that healthy, obese, reproductive-age women who use long-acting reversible contraception containing the hormone progestin have a slightly increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes when compared to those who use non-hormonal contraception.

Morning after pill conscience clauses in UK risk unwarranted pregnancies, pharmacists argue

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:46:46 EST

Conscience clauses, which allow pharmacists to opt out of providing the "morning after pill" without a prescription, risk unwanted pregnancies and undermine the principle of universal healthcare in the UK's National Health Service, say pharmacists.

Abortions are safe when performed by nurses practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives, study suggests

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:41:41 EST

First trimester abortions are just as safe when performed by trained nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives as when conducted by physicians, according to a new six-year study.

Risk of blood clots two-fold for women with polycystic ovary syndrome taking combined oral contraceptives, study finds

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:16:16 EST

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are taking combined oral contraceptives have a two-fold risk of blood clots compared with women without the disorder who take contraceptives, according to a new study.

Electrically spun fabric offers dual defense against pregnancy, HIV

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:52:52 EST

Electrically spun cloth with nanometer-sized fibers show promise as a cheap, versatile platform to simultaneously offer contraception and prevent HIV.

IUDs don't cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, experts say

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:33:33 EST

The risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) is very low, whether or not women have been screened beforehand for gonorrhea and chlamydia, according to a study of nearly 60,000 women.

Military should reassess reproductive health care for women, researcher argues

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:29:29 EST

Noting that active-duty servicewomen have higher rates of unintended pregnancy than the general population and lower reported contraception use, one researcher is suggesting the answer might be a review of the health care offered to females in the military and veterans.

Mothers’ age at menopause may predict daughters’ ovarian reserve

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:17:17 EST

A mother’s age at menopause may predict her daughter’s fertility in terms of the numbers of eggs remaining in her ovaries, according to the new research.

Conscience legislation ignores medical providers committed to giving patients all necessary care

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:50:50 EDT

Advances in medicine allow doctors to keep patients alive longer, tackle fertility problems and extend the viability of premature babies. They also lead to a growing number of moral questions for both the medical provider and patient.

Elevated risk of blood clots in women taking birth control containing drospirenone, study shows

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:18:18 EDT

New research has found an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events and venous thromboembolic events -- commonly referred to as blockage of arteries and blood clots, respectively -- associated with drospirenone-containing birth control pills compared to four low-dose estrogen combined hormonal contraceptives.

Women whose first pregnancy was ectopic have fewer children and high risk of another ectopic pregnancy

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:01:01 EDT

Women whose first pregnancy is ectopic are likely to have fewer children in the following 20-30 years than women whose first pregnancy ends in a delivery, miscarriage or abortion, according to results from a study of nearly 3,000 women in Denmark. In addition, these women have a five-fold increased risk of a subsequent ectopic pregnancy.

Condom use drops when young women use hormonal contraceptives

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 17:41:41 EDT

Young women who start using hormonal contraceptives for birth control often stop using condoms, but a new study finds that if they later discontinue using hormonal contraceptives, they tend not to resume using condoms, increasing their risk of both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Men's views of abortion depend more on social class and circumstances than on fixed beliefs, interviews reveal

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:23:23 EDT

Interviews of unmarried men living with female partners revealed that their opinions on whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy were more dependent on financial and personal circumstances than on moral views about abortion.

Sperm's swimming skills: Discovery shed light on male infertility, yields clues to development of male contraceptive pill

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:32:32 EDT

New insights into the swimming skills of sperm shed light on male infertility, which affects one in 20 men, and could provide a new avenue to the development of a male contraceptive pill.

Abortion rates plummet with free birth control

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 20:09:09 EDT

Providing birth control to women at no cost substantially reduced unplanned pregnancies and cut abortion rates by 62 percent to 78 percent over the national rate, a new study shows.

Women with learning disabilities often do not have say in contraception

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 08:27:27 EDT

A study of the families of women with learning disabilities and staff who work with them revealed the influences on their choice of contraceptive. Less than a third have formal assessments for mental capacity, and just under 40 per cent make the final choice about contraceptives themselves.

A birth control pill for men? When?

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:38:38 EDT

When will men have their own birth control pill? Scientists have been predicting the debut of a male pill within five years for the last 30 years. The factors accounting for that delay -- and new optimism that a male pill will emerge within a decade -- are the topic of a new article.

Doctors who perform abortions are compelled by conscience, just like those who refuse

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:24:24 EDT

Exercising conscience in healthcare is usually defined as refusing to provide contested services, like abortion. But in an article to be published Sept. 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine, a University of Michigan faculty member says doctors can be "conscientious" providers of abortion.

Parents prefer some, often less-effective birth control methods for teens

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:40:40 EDT

Parents of teen girls are more ready to accept their daughters being offered birth control pills and condoms during doctor visits than other, more effective and long-acting contraceptive methods, according to a new study.

Two in five women in the United States do not use any form of birth control

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:28:28 EDT

Roughly two in five women in the United States do not use any form of birth control and many underestimate their risk for pregnancy, according to a recent survey about contraceptive practices in the United States.

Guys, take note: Male birth control pill may be ready soon

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:19:19 EDT

Attention men: The day may be coming soon when you can take your own birth control pill with no side effects, according to a new study.

Increased risk of prematurity and low birth weight in babies born after three or more abortions

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:51:51 EDT

One of the largest studies to look at the effect of induced abortions on a subsequent first birth has found that women who have had three or more abortions have a higher risk of some adverse birth outcomes, such as delivering a baby prematurely and with a low birth weight.

Distressing life events and poverty behind many abortions in U.S., study finds

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:50:50 EDT

Most women accessing abortion services in the United States have faced a major life stressor, such as job loss or separation, in the preceding year, new research finds.

A male contraceptive pill in the making?

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:20:20 EDT

Researchers have used a small molecule compound to generate reversible birth control in male mice.

Finally, the promise of male birth control in a pill: Compound makes mice reversibly infertile

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:19:19 EDT

Researchers have finally found a compound that may offer the first effective and hormone-free birth control pill for men. The study shows that the small molecule makes male mice reversibly infertile without putting a damper on their sex drive. When the animals stop taking this new form of birth control, their sperm rebound and they are again able to sire perfectly healthy offspring.

Continuous oral contraceptive pills offer women earlier pain relief

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:16:16 EDT

Taking oral contraceptives continuously, rather than as traditionally prescribed for each cycle, provides earlier relief for moderate to severe menstrual cramps -- dysmenorrhea -- according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine.

Oral contraceptive use in girls and alcohol consumption in boys linked to increased blood pressure in late adolescence

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:10:10 EDT

The substantial differences in blood pressure found in the study between those with a healthier or less favorable lifestyle "are likely to significantly affect their risk of both ischemic heart disease and stroke in adulthood," the investigators warn.

Contraceptive use averts 272,000 maternal deaths worldwide

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:29:29 EDT

Contraceptive use likely prevents more than 272,000 maternal deaths from childbirth each year, according to a new study. Researchers further estimate that satisfying the global unmet need for contraception could reduce maternal deaths an additional 30 percent.

New hormonal gel combination shows promise as reversible birth control for men

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:51:51 EDT

Male hormonal contraceptives applied daily to the skin reduce sperm production, finds a new study. Very low sperm counts resulted for about 89 percent of men using a new combination of hormones, the authors reported. They combined a transdermal (skin) gel containing the male hormone testosterone and a gel containing a new synthetic progestin called Nestorone.

70% of women use contraceptives during their first sexual encounter, Spanish study suggests

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:37:37 EDT

Contraceptive use in Spain during the first sexual encounter is similar to other European countries. Contraceptive use shows positive correlation in women with a university education and negative correlation amongst women from poor backgrounds.

IUDs, implants most effective birth control, study suggests

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:02:02 EDT

A study to evaluate birth control methods has found dramatic differences in their effectiveness. Women who used birth control pills, the patch or vaginal ring were 20 times more likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those who used longer-acting forms such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant.

More evidence on clot risks of non-oral contraceptives

Thu, 10 May 2012 22:48:48 EDT

A new study adds to the evidence that certain non-oral hormonal contraceptives carry a higher risk of serious blood clots than others.

Education, not abortion, reduces maternal mortality, study suggests

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:19:19 EDT

A study conducted in Chile has found that the most important factor in reducing maternal mortality is the educational level of women.

Timing pregnancy an important health concern for women

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:26:26 EDT

A new article highlights the importance of a woman's ability to time her childbearing. The author asserts that contraception is a means of health promotion and women who work with their health care providers to ensure they are healthy prior to conceiving can minimize their risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Injectable contraceptives linked to breast cancer risk in younger women

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:41:41 EDT

The first large-scale U.S.-based study to evaluate the link between an injectable form of progestin-only birth control and breast cancer risk in young women has found that recent use of a year or more doubles the risk.

Combined oral contraceptive pill helps painful periods

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:15:15 EST

A large Scandinavian study that has been running for 30 years has finally provided convincing evidence that the combined oral contraceptive pill does, indeed, alleviate the symptoms of painful menstrual periods – dysmenorrhoea.

Young women unknowingly pack on the pounds

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:34:34 EST

Researchers found that a significant number of women evaluated at six-month intervals did not recognize recent gains in weight. Self-perception of weight gain appears to be significantly influenced by race, ethnicity and contraceptive methods.

Contraceptive pill associated with increased prostate cancer risk worldwide, study finds

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:10:10 EST

Use of the contraceptive pill is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer around the globe, new research finds.

Hormone in birth control shot linked to memory loss

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:55:55 EDT

The birth control shot Depo Provera offers a convenient alternative for women who don't want to remember to take a daily pill. Ironically, new research has shown the shot actually may impair a person's memory.

Not your mother's birth control, same troubles

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:20:20 EDT

Today's hormonal forms of contraception are vastly different than earlier forms, both with lower levels of hormones and with different means of delivery (not just a pill), but many of the same problems related to women's pleasure remain. A new study that examined how newer forms of hormonal contraception affect things such as arousal, lubrication and orgasm, found that they could still hamper important aspects of sexuality despite the family planning benefits and convenience.

Some contraceptive pills more likely to cause blood clots, study confirms

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:09:09 EDT

A new study confirms previous findings that certain oral contraceptive pills are more likely to cause serious blood clots than others.

Hormonal contraception doubles HIV risk, study suggests

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:52:52 EDT

Researchers have found that women using hormonal contraception -- such as a birth control pill or a shot like Depo-Provera -- are at double the risk of acquiring HIV, and HIV-infected women who use hormonal contraception have twice the risk of transmitting the virus to their HIV-uninfected male partners, according to a new study.

Low zinc and copper levels might cause spontaneous abortion, study suggests

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:58:58 EDT

Spontaneous abortion is estimated to affect 15 percent of women, mainly in the first trimester of pregnancy. Now researchers in Spain believe they have evidence to show that low zinc and copper levels may be a culprit.

Researcher launches teen contraceptive website

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:34:34 EDT

In an attempt to provide a reliable and trustworthy source for reproductive health information for teenagers, one physician-researcher has launched the website Ask A Doc RI.

Birth control pills affect memory, researchers find

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:16:16 EDT

Women who use contraceptives like birth control pills experience memory changes, according to new research. Their ability to remember the gist of an emotional event improves, while women not using the contraceptives better retain details.

Researchers eye newer, safer birth control method

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:46:46 EDT

Researchers have uncovered a new contraceptive that is more focused, safer and, therefore, available for use among a larger population of women. This research in monkeys has demonstrated that targeting these enzymes can prevent the release of an egg from the ovary.

Anti-inflammatory drugs taken in early pregnancy more than double risk of miscarriage, study finds

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:12:12 EDT

The risk of miscarriage is 2.4 times greater for women who took any type and dosage of non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in early pregnancy, according to a new study.

Medicinal plants used in illegal abortions may help stop lethal bleeding in women after birth, African study suggests

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:12:12 EDT

Researchers from Denmark have examined a number of plants which are used for illegal abortions in Tanzania. Several of the plants can be used to stop lethal bleeding after birth.

Gradual bone reduction seen in some birth control pill users

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:38:38 EDT

Birth control pills may reduce a woman's bone density, according to a new study. Impacts on bone were small, depended on the woman's age and the pill's hormone dose, and did not appear until about two years of use. The researchers also reported how on bone density levels when a woman stops using the pill.

Conscientious objection to any procedure is doctor's right, say medical students

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:15:15 EDT

Doctors should be allowed to object to any procedure that conflicts with their personal, moral, or religious beliefs, reveals a survey of medical students.

Birth rates after ICSI increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 37

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:16:16 EDT

Women undergoing fertility treatment are more likely to give birth to a live baby after ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) if they are younger than 38 and 11 or more eggs have been retrieved from their ovaries in one ovarian stimulation cycle, according to analysis of one of the largest and longest-running ICSI programs at a single fertility clinic.

Immediate use of an IUD following abortion more likely to prevent unintended pregnancies, study finds

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:14:14 EDT

Women who receive a contraceptive known as an intrauterine device or IUD immediately following a first trimester abortion experience few complications and are less likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those who delay getting an IUD by several weeks, according to a new study.

Birth-control pill does not lead to weight gain, Swedish research finds

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:49:49 EDT

Many young women do not want to start taking the contraceptive pill because they are worried that they will put on weight, or come off it because they think that they have gained weight because of it. However, new research from Sweden has demonstrated that the combined contraceptive pill does not cause weight increase.