Monthly Women's Health Research Review

LARC Training for Primary Care Necessary To Meet ACA Preventive Health Goals, Commentary States

November 24, 2015

In this commentary, the authors outline a model they created to teach primary care providers how to provide long-acting reversible contraception. They write that primary care providers must help provide contraceptive care "to realize the [Affordable Care Act's] promise to increase access to essential women's preventive services," and they urge primary care practices to offer such care and residency programs to consider including LARC provision in training programs.

Study Assesses Mental Health Diagnoses Three Years After Seeking Abortion Care

November 24, 2015

For this study, researchers examined rates of depression and anxiety among women in the three years following their decision to seek abortion care. According to the researchers, the findings affirm prior research showing that "abortion is not associated with adverse mental health outcomes" and "cal[l] into question the appropriateness of policies that mandate counseling of all women who obtain an abortion on the psychological effects that can accompany them."

Women Value Doula Care During Abortion Procedure, Study Finds

November 24, 2015

In this study, researchers examine why women appreciate doula care during an abortion despite no evidence of decreased discomfort or improved satisfaction with the experience. They find that women appreciated doulas' companionship and care during the abortion procedure. According to the researchers, "this study underscores the importance of providing women support during their abortion experience."

Commentary: Defunding Federal Family Planning Initiatives Would Have 'Catastrophic' Effects

November 24, 2015

In this commentary, the authors note that while "the nation seems to be on a path to universal coverage, with its strong protections for women's health," "complementary interventions" are needed to ensure that low-income women in medically underserved communities have access to care. The authors identify community health centers and Title X-funded family planning centers as integral women's health programs, and they detail how federal lawmakers' efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and Title X will harm women.

Study: Boosting Awareness of ACA's Expanded Contraceptive Coverage Is 'Essential' To Improve 'Use of Effective Contraception'

November 24, 2015

In this study, researchers assess privately insured women's awareness of the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive coverage benefits, which went into effect in 2012. They find that many women were unaware they could obtain long-acting reversible contraception at no cost under the ACA, and that nearly 1 in 5 would switch to a different method of birth control if cost was not an issue. The researchers concluded, "For the ACA contraceptive coverage mandate to affect the use of effective contraception, raising women's awareness of the expanded benefit is an essential first step."

IUDs, Contraceptive Implant Effectively Prevents Repeat Pregnancy Among Young Women, Study Finds

November 24, 2015

In this study, researchers examine the rates of discontinuation and repeat pregnancy among young women using postplacental intrauterine devices and postpartum contraceptive implants. The researchers find that young women tended to continue use of their chosen method, but they note that clinicians should emphasize the importance of follow-up care to IUD users because early postplacental IUD expulsion is relatively common and might not be recognized.

Study Examines Predictors of Contraceptive Discontinuation Rate Among Teens

November 24, 2015

In this study, researchers look at what factors predicted contraceptive discontinuation among teens at high risk for pregnancy in Bronx County, N.Y. They find that teens were more likely to discontinue contraceptive use if they used a method other than a long-acting reversible contraceptive, left school prior to high school graduation or had previously used hormonal contraception. They advise increased provider training for IUD insertion, as well as "improved education" to inform providers that medical societies recommend LARC as first-line contraceptives for teens.

Rights-Based Sexual Health Curriculum May Improve Sexual Health Outcomes in Adolescents, Study Finds

October 28, 2015

For this study, researchers compare the outcomes of ninth-grade students who received basic sexual health education to those who received a "rights-based" sexual health curriculum, "which seeks to integrate discussions of sexuality, human rights, and gender equality and is driven by recognition of adolescents' fundamental rights to sexual health information and services, self-determination, and nondiscrimination." They find that the rights-based curriculum had "significant, positive" outcomes one year later, but they urge longer-term research.

Study Examines Trends in LARC Use Among U.S. Women, 2009-2012

October 28, 2015

In this study, the authors examined the use of long-acting reversible contraception among U.S. women between 2009 and 2012. They found that LARC use rose from 8.5% to 11.6% in that time period, mostly driven by an increase in the use of intrauterine devices.

Fetal Tissue Research Is 'Professionally Responsible Success Story,' Commentary States

October 28, 2015

In this commentary, the authors trace the history of fetal tissue research and outline its societal benefits. Noting that the practice is supported from a legal, medical and ethical standpoint, they conclude that such research "should continue unhindered, to fulfill professional responsibility to current and future patients."

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