Contraceptive Technology Update – December 1, 2004
December 1, 2004
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Adverse event reports spark discussions on safety of Evra contraceptive patch
Did the office telephone lines start buzzing when the media broadcasted reports of adverse events linked to use of the transdermal contraceptive Ortho Evra? Theres no doubt that clinicians have, since those reports, fielded many questions about the safety of the patch, which has been used by about 4 million women since its November 2001 approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). -
Progress under way on the microbicide front
Promising advances are being made on the microbicide front: U.S. funding appears imminent for microbicide research and development, a new corporate partnership has been struck with an international research group to step up testing of antiviral AIDS gels, and a number of potential candidates are moving through the research pipeline. -
Don’t time first teen visit to first Pap test
Adolescents and their parents may have become confused on when to schedule a teens first gynecologic exam when updated cervical cancer screening guidelines were issued in November 2002 by the Atlanta-based American Cancer Society. The 2002 guidelines called for Pap tests beginning either at age 21 or three years after a woman first has sexual intercourse; previous recommendations advised an initial Pap screen shortly after first intercourse or by age 18, whichever occurred first. -
Tips on what to cover in an initial teen exam
What do you cover when you conduct a teens first gynecologic exam? Understand that an adolescents initial visit may not necessarily include a pelvic examination or a Pap test, but that it should cover a wide spectrum of issues facing a young woman of reproductive age. -
Emergency contraception moves into mainstream
What is the policy for providing emergency contraception (EC) at your facility? About 81% of respondents to the 2004 Contraceptive Technology Update Contraception Survey say their facilities prescribe EC on site and provide emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) at any time, which continues a trend of strong support for the method. -
Washington Watch
The increasing federal investment in abstinence-only education is one of the more notable social policy trends of the past decade. Programs must exclusively promote abstinence and therefore cannot discuss the positive benefits of contraception or condoms, because doing so would purportedly undermine the abstinence message. -
Ask the Experts: Answering your questions on DMPA use and weight
Should a woman who is obese and continues to gain weight on Depo-Provera [depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), Pfizer, New York City] be allowed to continue its use if she so desires? Are providers contributing to the health risk of obesity by allowing a woman to do so? -
2004 Salary Survey Results: Family planning providers hold the line in salary and staffing levels in 2004
Good news for family planning providers: Salary levels are reflecting a modest increase in 2004, according to the results of the annual Contraceptive Technology Update salary survey. The survey was mailed in July 2004 to 1,247 subscribers and had a response of 229, for a response rate of 18.36%.