Help Us Protect Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Today!
Written by Chelsea Faso, M.D. Reproductive coercion is defined as behaviors or policies that interfere with decision-making about contraception and pregnancy. In the US, clinicians have often been complicit in implementing and enforcing reproductive oppression and coercive practices, sending and reinforcing the message: certain groups of people are more fit to parent than others. This…
Written by Angeline Ti, MD, MPH The experience of pain combines cognitive, emotional, and sensory components, and is often a complex interaction between a person’s past experiences, current state of mind, and what nerves are being irritated. While there are a variety of pharmacologic options for pain control with IUD insertions, there are also non-pharmacologic…
Do hormonal contraceptives cause weight gain? One survey of American women indicated that concern about weight gain was the most common single reason for discontinuing combined OCPs.
Written by Deyang Nyandak, MD. Vasectomy is a safe and effective permanent birth control method. Six to eight percent of married couples in the world rely on this method¹. Compared to vasectomy, tubal ligation has 20 times the risk of major complications and three times the cost². Some patients regret vasectomy and wish to conceive. People…
Written by Sheila Attaie, D.O. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a treatable chronic illness. People with SUD have higher rates of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infertility, and mortality related to pregnancy; and lower rates of contraceptive use¹. People with SUD face profound stigma, barriers to care, and even criminalization when interfacing with the medical industrial complex.…
Written by Hannah Rosenfield, M.D. In the past, we suggested backup contraception for 1 week after insertion of a progestin IUD. Is this still necessary? A recent study examined one-month pregnancy rates among individuals who had an IUD placed as emergency contraception and reported intercourse within 7 days post-placement. This analysis included 268 participants who…
Updated November 29th, 2022 The three birth control patches available in the US deliver estrogen and progestin transdermally. Some people find a once-weekly patch easier to remember than a daily pill. The newest patch, Twirla, contains lower doses of hormones: Brand Name Estrogen Progestin Xulane 35 mcg 150 mcg norelgestromin Zafemy 35 mcg 150 mcg norelgestromin Twirla 30 mcg…
Written by Chelsea Faso, M.D. Many patients stop taking contraceptives due to an irregular bleeding pattern. Hormonal contraceptives often cause spotting, especially during the first 3-6 months. Anticipatory counseling about changes in bleeding patterns may help patients adjust to a new method. We can reassure patients that spotting is normal, and that they can stop…
Written by Mayra A Hernandez Schulte, M.D. The Intrauterine Device (IUD) is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. While pregnancy is rare with an IUD in place, it requires special management when it occurs. Pregnancies that occur with an IUD in place have a higher chance of being ectopic, so it is important to obtain…
Many clinicians or clinic protocols require a pregnancy test for patients who are starting contraception or receiving contraceptive care. However, a routine pregnancy test is not necessary for everyone starting contraception; it can act as a barrier to telehealth care and a negative test can provide false reassurance in some situations. The US Selected Practice…
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