BACKGROUND To explore associations between health status, contraceptive counseling and contraceptive use. METHODS Women aged 18-50 visiting one of 4 primary care clinics were invited to complete surveys after their visit. Perceived health status was measured using a 5-point scale. Among those considered at risk of unintended pregnancy, logistic regression was used to investigate associations ...

Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 2004: 30(3) Background It is estimated that 69% of women initiate breastfeeding in the UK.1 The number breastfeeding then falls and by 6 months postpartum only 21% of women continue.1 Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months or more is promoted worldwide to achieve optimal infant and maternal health.2 In the UK it is difficult to ascertain the...

The prospect of a hormonal male contraceptive is no longer distant. Data on the potential impact of this improvement in contraceptive provision, however, is limited, particularly between different cultures. We have therefore carried out a multi-centre study to assess men's attitudes to proposed novel hormonal methods. Questionnaire-based structured interviews were administered to men in Edinbur...

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to determine whether early initiation of combined hormonal contraception under direct clinical observation following successful medical abortion increases continuation rates with the method compared to traditional "Sunday start." STUDY DESIGN Women enrolled in a multicenter medical abortion trial with mifepristone and misoprostol who requested combined hormo...

Background Contraceptive discontinuation is a major barrier to reducing global unmet needs for family planning, but the reasons why women discontinue contraception are poorly understood. Here we use data from Ethiopia to investigate (i) the magnitude of contraceptive discontinuation in 2005-2011, (ii) how the risk of discontinuation varies with method type and education level and (iii) the barr...

PURPOSE This study was designed to investigate the relationship between serum relaxin concentration (SRC) and menstrual history and hormonal contraceptive use among elite collegiate female athletes. Evaluation of SRC in athletes is necessary, because relaxin has been associated with increased knee joint laxity and decreased anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) strength in animal models. METHODS N...

In this paper we discuss the causes of non-adherence to reversible contraceptives, especially hormonal methods, among women in rural Santarém in the Brazilian Amazon. The analysis is based on questionnaires with 398 women and visits to health centers. We consider the motives reported by women who: never used contraception; used some method in the past; and who at the time of the survey were usi...