| August 2007 · Vol. 19, No. 08 UPDATE
NEW DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE CHANGING PATIENT CARE
CONTRACEPTION
A number of refinements in access to, or use of, hormonal contraception deserve our attention
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Fast Track
Providing the patient with emergency contraception in advance does not increase the number of sexual partners or rate of STD
64% of women who received the LNG-IUS removed themselves from a waiting list for hysterectomy at the end of 6 months
Extended OC regimens reduce ovarian activity and produce smaller follicles and a lower estrogen level than the standard 28-day regimen
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Sara
Newmann,
MD, MPHFellow in Family Planning, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductives Sciences, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California–San Francisco Philip
D.
Darney,
MD, MScProfessor and Chief, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California–San Francisco
A year ago, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted over-the-counter (OTC) status for Plan B, the levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive. In the past few years, we have accumulated data on the general impact of improved access to emergency contraception (EC), as well as evidence of its overall efficacy. We also have another year of experience with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) and its multiple benefits beyond contraception, and with extended hormonal contraceptive regimens. This article highlights what we know about these three forms of contraception.
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