Pregnancy and Birth

In general decline in fertility is associated with increasing age, most notably for women. Women are born with a fixed number of oocytes which diminish with age leaving few if any capable of fertilization in the peri menopause.

Contraceptive behavior is related to changing age structure, and change in upper age limits for OCs use. However, there are unpredictable factors affecting contraceptive use such as the publicity regarding OCs and breast cancer and concern about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including human immunodeficiency virus infection as well as abortion legislation.

Each year there are millions of unplanned, and often unwanted, pregnancies due to lack of contraception or contraception failure. We have all read about the epidemic of teen pregnancies in the United States and other countries.

(fig. 1) I was so astonished by the 3D image that I wanted to share with you.  Look at the shape of the copper coil, it's amazing.  Submitted by Daniel Margulies, Argentina. (fig. 2) "This is my best 3D Multiplanar Reconstruction of  Multiload IUD."Image provided by:Mrio Libardi, M.D.Multimagem Ultra-sonografiaBotucatu, Sao PauloBrasil (fig. 3) Image provided courtesy of Antwoord van dr. R.J.C.M. Beerthuizen, directeur Stichting Anticonceptie Nederland, Winterswijk (fig. 4) Image provided by:Mrio Libardi, M.D.Multimagem Ultra-sonografiaBotucatu, Sao PauloBrasilFor more images and information about IUDs, please click here CommentsMy gut tells me that this may be an image artifact that is unique to 3D sonography.  If any of you heard the lecture on 3D artifacts in Buenos Aries by Dr. Andrew Hull... he was clear that 3D introduces new categories of image artifacts and a new "twist" on old familiar artifacts.  You can see the interview of Dr. Hull at:http://www.obgyn.net/displaytranscript.asp?page=/avtranscripts/dubose_hull This is probably not useful pathologically, but as a phenomenon of 3D sonography it may be important educationally to us end users.  I would like to post it and see more discussion. Peace, Terry J. DuBose, M.S., RDMS Assistant Professor & Director, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program CHRP, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, Arkansas, USA 501-686-6510http://www.io.com/~dubose/http://www.uams.edu/CHRP/dmshome.htmhttp://www.obgyn.net/us/panel/panel.htm 

The contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra™ transdermal system) is a weekly hormonal birth control method that received Food and Drug Administration approval in November 2001. The product is an adhesive patch, similar to a large Band Aid®, that a woman places onto her skin to prevent pregnancy. The patch contains hormones that are released through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Recent research by members of the Population Council's International Committee for Contraception Research (ICCR) and other scientists shows that emergency contraceptive pills appear to work by interfering with ovulation, thus preventing fertilization of the egg.

Questions on Contraception answered by Marta Mendez, MD,

Questions on Contraception answered by Marta Mendez, MD

Questions on Puberty, Gyn Exam Procedures and Pap Smears answered by Marta Mendez, MD

Questions on Contraception

Questions on Pregnancy

Questions on Sex & STD's

Planning to start a family is an exciting time. Many women and their partners wonder if there is anything they can do to help make this both successful and safe. In fact there are many things that can be done to increase the chances of a healthy mother and baby.

This is the title of an excellent book by Toni Weschler, MPH, and is the perfect resource for the subject of this column. I feel every teen and young woman should receive this book once she starts having menstrual periods.

In an ideal world, contraceptives would be 100% effective, and they would be used correctly every time. But, like most things in life, birth control isn't perfect. Pills are missed; condoms break, are put on improperly, and sometimes are not used at all. And, unfortunately, situations occur in which women are forced to have intercourse against their will.

For young people sex is a thrilling subject. They romanticise it, seeing it as a source of joy, but at the same time they can be very afraid of it. By the age of 16 half of the young folk in the world have had sexual intercourse.

One of the great joys of life can be having a baby-when we are ready and are able to provide all the love and care a child needs. One of the great setbacks in life can be an unintended pregnancy-especially for a young woman.

The types of birth control that are most reliable for preventing pregnancy are birth control pills, injections, implants, IUDs, and sterilization. Of every 100 women who use one of these types of birth control for a year, about 1 to 5 women will become pregnant.

Family planning counselling which covers knowledge transfer about contraceptive mode of action, by enabling informed choice, improves compliance to and efficiency of contraceptive methods.

The progestogen component of oral contraceptives (OCs) has undergone changes since it was recognized that their chemical structure can influence the spectrum of minor adverse and beneficial effects.

Perforation of uterus by intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a known complication. However, to our knowledge, to have two IUCD perforating the uterus has never been reported. We present here this case which we believe is the first reported in literature, and discus the importance of careful evaluation prior to insertion of contraceptive loop and the management implemented.

Miscarriage and induced abortion are life events that can potentially cause mental distress. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the patterns of normalization of mental health scores after these two pregnancy termination events.

Neutrophils infiltrate the endometrium pre-menstrually and after long-term progestin only-contraceptive (LTPOC) treatment. Trafficking of neutrophils involves endothelial cell-expressed intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1).

This study assesses the consistency of responses among women regarding their beliefs about the mechanisms of actions of birth control methods, beliefs about when human life begins, the intention to use or not use birth control methods that they believe may act after fertilization or implantation, and their reported use of specific methods.

It has been proposed that the autonomy of women is one of the mechanisms of how education influences contraceptive use in developing countries. We tested this hypothesis in a national sample of women in Pakistan.

An excerpt from the Menopause & Perimenopause Ask the Expert column

This article aims to study the content of the teaching materials used by the medical students and possible effects on the development of their perception towards women’s health, using contraception as an illustration.

Of American women aged 15 to 44 years who are at risk of unintended pregnancy, 40% are currently using hormonal contraception, and more than 75% previously used hormonal birth control.

A number of perimenopausal women and their health care providers choose to either decline or prematurely discontinue use of oral contraceptives (OCs), despite the availability of formulations that can prevent pregnancy and address perimenopausal symptoms. This lack of use is due to several factors.

Who Might Benefit from the Pill?