Contraceptive Technology Update – February 1, 2021
February 1, 2021
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How Family Planning Providers Can Handle Challenges of COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
The coronavirus vaccine rollout faces challenges from logistical supply issues and vaccine hesitancy among healthcare staff and the general public. From a reproductive health provider perspective, the big question is how to handle the rollout and overcome challenges on both the supply and demand sides.
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Providers Can Reduce Vaccine Hesitancy Among Staff
As the COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out in the United States, many healthcare workers refused vaccination. Reproductive healthcare centers will need to obtain staff buy-in as they begin a vaccination program.
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Should Family Planning Clinics Volunteer to Vaccinate Patients?
One of the biggest challenges this spring will be to find enough trained medical staff and ambulatory sites to vaccinate hundreds of millions of people within a six- to seven-month time frame. Family planning centers might be lower on the priority list for vaccination because they serve a younger population.
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New Contraceptive Patch Is a Weekly Option
Twirla, a new low-dose contraceptive patch, is effective at preventing pregnancy among American women, according to researchers. Phase III clinical trial results were favorable for efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol transdermal delivery system. The new patch uses a progestin and contains less estrogen than prior patches.
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Pregnancy Risk Increases When Young Women Travel
Although most international trips, including students’ study abroad programs, were put on hold in 2020, these might resume this year after the COVID-19 vaccine reaches student populations. Reproductive health providers can help young women prepare for the contraceptive needs and uncertainties of travel. A new study revealed that young female travelers overwhelmingly say they will be abstinent during their travels, but their actual experience is the opposite.
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Study: IUD Counseling Can Appear Coercive
The results of a recent study revealed that providers might think they are promoting their young patients’ decision-making, but their focus on intrauterine devices and other long-acting reversible contraceptives can come across as coercive.