Contraceptive Pearl: Comprehensive Contraceptive Counseling

Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S are unintended, and teens are at highest risk for experiencing an unwanted pregnancy. Does comprehensive contraceptive counseling affect women’s decisions?

Contraceptive Pearl: Dual Method Protection

Using condoms along with the pill, patch, or ring reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI). This Contraceptive Pearl covers dual method protection.

Contraceptive Pearl: Non-Latex Condoms

Male condoms are one of the most inexpensive and easily accessible forms of contraception. Most condoms are made of latex. However, about 6% of the U.S population has a latex allergy. This Contraceptive Pearl discusses non-latex condoms.

Contraceptive Pearl: Risk of Pregnancy Following Emergency Contraception Use

Clinician Question: Is my patient more likely to get pregnant right after she uses EC? This Contraceptive Pearl covers the risks of pregnancy following the use to emergency contraception pills and what providers can do to avoid unintended pregnancies after emergency contraception use.

Contraceptive Pearl: Hormonal Contraceptives and Blood Pressure

Hormonal contraceptives’ effect on blood pressure depends on the type of synthetic estrogen/progestin and hormone dosage. This Contraceptive Pearl covers the risks of hormonal contraception and how to best establish medical eligibility for initiating hormonal contraception.

Contraceptive Pearl: Emergency Contraception Considerations for Timing, Weight and Efficacy

Are emergency contraception (EC) pills less effective for overweight patients? Unfortunately, the answer is yes – and the degree of this effect depends on the patient’s body mass index (BMI) and the type of EC. This Contraceptive Pearl discusses how BMI plays a roll in choosing the most effective emergency contraception for each patient.

Contraceptive Pearl: Permanent Birth Control for Men (Vasectomy)

Compared to female sterilization, vasectomy is simpler, less expensive, and less likely to cause complications. Vasectomy has efficacy over 99%. Given its many advantages, why is vasectomy so under-used?

Contraceptive Pearl: Permanent Birth Control Options

For patients who don’t want to have more children, there are several permanent birth control options available: tubal ligation and hysteroscopic sterilization for women, and vasectomy for men. This Contraceptive Pearl covers the pros and cons of each option.

Contraceptive Pearl: Headaches and Hormonal Contraception

Women with migraine headaches have a higher risk of stroke – migraine with aura raises the risk more – and estrogen-containing contraceptives raise the risk of stroke even further. May women with migraine headaches take estrogen-containing birth control?

Contraceptive Pearl: Sex, Education and Taking Sexual History of Teens

Seventy percent of teens report having had intercourse by their 19th birthday. However, 41% of teens aged 18-19 report that they know little or nothing about condoms, and 75% report that they know little or nothing about the contraceptive pill. This Contraceptive Pearl coves how best to talk to teens about contraception.