Use of Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Before and After a State Policy Mandated Inpatient Access.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use in a multihospital health care system 2 years before and after the policy was implemented, and to assess factors associated with LARC use and repeat pregnancy rates within 12 months after delivery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients giving birth at three Cleveland Clinic Ohio hospitals from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2019. We reviewed the inpatient medication reconciliation to identify the LARC initiation rate. We compared all patients who received inpatient postpartum LARC to a 1:3 matched sample of patients who did not receive LARC, matched by delivery date and location, to identify patient characteristics associated with LARC use. The electronic medical record (Epic) was reviewed to identify new pregnancies occurring within 12 months postdelivery. RESULTS: We identified 17,848 deliveries prepolicy and 18,555 deliveries postpolicy. Immediate postpartum LARC was used by 0.5% (monthly range 0-2.1%) of patients prepolicy and 11.6% (monthly range 8.3-15.4%) of patients postpolicy. Levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (IUDs) were used by 56.5%, implants by 29.1%, and copper IUDs by 14.5% of LARC users. Characteristics associated with LARC use included younger age, public insurance, non-White race, Hispanic or Latina ethnicity, higher body mass index, sexually transmitted infection in pregnancy, and tobacco use. Long-acting reversible contraceptive users had a lower rate of repeat pregnancy at 12 months postpartum compared with the non-LARC group (1.9% vs 3.6%, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Immediate postpartum LARC use increased after a state policy change mandated universal access and was associated with decreased pregnancy rates in the first year postdelivery.

Free-of-charge long-acting reversible contraception: two-year discontinuation, its risk factors, and reasons.

BACKGROUND: Since 2013, the residents of the city of Vantaa, Finland, have been offered their first long-acting reversible contraceptive method (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, implant, and copper intrauterine device) free of charge. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to assess the 2-year cumulative discontinuation rates of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods when provided free of charge for first-time users in a real-world setting. Additional aims were to describe factors associated with discontinuation and to evaluate the reasons for discontinuation. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective register-based cohort study of 2026 nonsterilized women aged 15 to 44 years, who initiated a free-of-charge long-acting contraceptive method in 2013-2014 in the city of Vantaa. Removals within 2 years after method initiation and reasons for discontinuation were obtained from electronic health records and from national registers. We calculated the 2-year cumulative incidence rates of discontinuation with 95% confidence intervals for each method. Furthermore, we assessed crude and adjusted incidence rate ratios of discontinuation with 95% confidence interval by Poisson regression models comparing implants and copper intrauterine device with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems. RESULTS: During the 2 -year follow-up, 514 women discontinued, yielding a cumulative discontinuation rate of 28.3 per 100 women-years (95% confidence interval, 26.2-30.4). Among the 1199 women who initiated the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, the cumulative discontinuation rate was 24.2 per 100 women-years (95% confidence interval, 21.7-26.9); among the 642 implant users, 33.3 per 100 women-years (95% confidence interval, 29.5-37.4); and among the 185 copper intrauterine device users, 37.8 per 100 women-years (95% confidence interval, 31.0-45.7). Compared with women aged 30 to 44 years, women aged 15 to 19 years (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.14) and 20 to 29 years (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.63) were more likely to discontinue. We observed a higher discontinuation rate in women who had given birth within the previous year (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.65), spoke a native language other than Finnish or Swedish (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.63), and had a history of a sexually transmitted infection (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.46). No association was found in marital status, overall parity, history of induced abortion, socioeconomic status, education level, or smoking status. The most common reason for discontinuation was bleeding disturbances, reported by 21% of women who discontinued the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, by 71% who discontinued the implant, and by 41% who discontinued the copper intrauterine device. One in 4 women who discontinued the copper intrauterine device reported heavy menstrual bleeding, whereas only 1% who discontinued the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and none who discontinued implants reported this reason. Abdominal pain was the reported reason for discontinuation in 20% of both intrauterine device users and in only 2% who discontinued implants. CONCLUSION: At 2 years, the use of implants and copper intrauterine devices was more likely to be discontinued than that of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Women younger than 30 years and those who gave birth in the preceding year, spoke a native language other than Finnish or Swedish, or had a history of sexually transmitted infections were more likely to discontinue. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system was least likely to be removed owing to bleeding disturbances.

Risk of abortion within 1-2 years after childbirth in relation to contraceptive choice: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to investigate whether the choice of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) was associated with the risk of abortion over a period of 24 months postpartum. The secondary objective was to analyse whether other significant factors were affecting the risk of abortion during this period.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analysed 11,066 women who had delivered in three Swedish cities during 2013 and 2014. Demographic and medical variables were obtained from medical records. Attendance at the postpartum visit, choice of postpartum contraception and history of abortion was noted. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with the risk of abortion. The main outcome measure was the proportion of women with abortion up to 24 months postpartum.Results: Data from 11,066 women were included in the final analysis. Within 12-24 months after delivery 2.5% of women had an abortion. The choice of LARC after childbirth reduced the risk of subsequent abortion (odds ratio 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60, 0.91; p =  .005). Smoking, age <25 years and have had a previous abortion significantly increased the risk of abortion during follow-up, whereas exclusive breastfeeding decreased the risk.Conclusions: Increasing the proportion of women who choose LARC postpartum could decrease the risk of abortion for up to 2 years after childbirth.

Improvement in contraceptive coverage and gynecological care of adult women with cystic fibrosis following the implementation of an on-site gynecological consultation.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of the introduction of a new gynecologic referral service in our adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) center on contraceptive coverage, gynecological follow-up regularity, and cervical cancer screening coverage. STUDY DESIGN: We implemented an on-site gynecological consultation in our adult CF center in 2015. We compared the results of two surveys conducted successively in 2014 and in 2017 in a cohort of women with CF attending the Lyon CF center. Women completed the same self-report written questionnaire as in 2014. Main outcome measures were the comparisons of contraceptive coverage, gynecological follow-up regularity, and cervical cancer screening coverage between 2014 and 2017. RESULTS: All the 136 women (100%) who attended the clinic in 2017 participated. Contraceptive prevalence rate increased from 69%(CI95%:60.3-78.1) to 86%(CI95%:79.6-92.9) between 2014 and 2017 (p = 0.005). Among transplanted patients, the contraceptive prevalence rate was 92.3%(CI95%:82.0-100) in 2017. Long acting reversible contraceptive use markedly increased from 10% to 21.6% (p = 0.005). The proportion of women that reported an access to gynecological care increased between 2014 and 2017 (74%(CI95%:66.3-82.0) vs 91%(CI95%:86.9-95.4), p < 0.005) and reached 100% among transplanted patients. Cervical cancer screening improved (55%(CI95%:51.2-68.8) vs 85%(CI95%:78.6-90.6) women ever screened) (p < 0.0005) and reached 100% among transplanted patients. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an improvement in contraceptive coverage and gynecological care of adult women with CF following the implementation of a dedicated gynecological consultation in the CF center. IMPLICATIONS: Service linkages and formal links between CF centers and gynecologists can facilitate access to disease-specific contraceptive counseling, adequate gynecological management and cervical cancer screening.

Projecting the fiscal impact of South Africa's contraceptive needs: Scaling up family planning post 2020.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-informed priority setting is vital to improved investment in public health interventions. This is particularly important as South Africa (SA) makes the shift to universal health coverage and institution of National Health Insurance. OBJECTIVES: To measure the financial impact of increasing the demand for modern contraceptive methods in the SA public health sector. We estimated the total cost of providing contraceptives, and specifically the budgetary impact of premature removals of long-acting reversible contraceptives. METHODS: We created a deterministic model in Microsoft Excel to estimate the costs of contraception provision over a 5-year time horizon (2018 - 2023) from a healthcare provider perspective. Only direct costs of service provision were considered, including drugs, supplies and personnel time. Costs were not discounted owing to the short time horizon. Scenario analyses were conducted to test uncertainty. RESULTS: The base-case cost of current contraceptive use in 2018 was estimated to be ZAR1.64 billion (ZAR29 per capita). Injectable contraceptives accounted for ~47% of total costs. To meet the total demand for family planning, SA would have to spend ~30% more than the estimate for current contraceptive use. In the year 2023, the 'current use' of modern contraceptives would increase to ZAR2.2 billion, and fulfilling the total demand for family planning would require ZAR2.9 billion. The base-case cost of implantable contraceptives was estimated at ZAR54 million. Assuming a normal removal rate, the use of implants is projected to increase by 20% during the 5-year period between 2019 and 2023, with an estimated 46% increase in costs. The cost of early removal of Implanon NXT is estimated at ZAR75 million, with total contraception costs estimated at ZAR102 million in 2019, compared with ZAR56 million when a normal removal rate is applied. CONCLUSIONS: The costs of scaling up modern contraceptives in SA are substantial. Early and premature removals of implantable contraceptives are costly to the nation and must be minimised. The government should consider conducting appropriate health technology assessments to inform the introduction of new public health interventions as SA makes the shift to universal health coverage by means of National Health Insurance.

The Fourth Trimester of Pregnancy: Committing to Maternal Health and Well-Being Postpartum.

The postpartum period is a time of significant challenge and need as women adapt to hormonal and physical changes, recover from delivery, experience shifting family responsibilities, and endure sleep deprivation, all while caring for and nourishing their newborn. It is also a period of significant maternal health risk. Recent data on U.S. maternal mortality indicate a shift in the timing of maternal deaths over the past 10 years, with the majority of maternal deaths now occurring postpartum, from one day to one year after delivery. Postpartum care also marks a period of transition, as women shift from pregnancy-centered care to interpregnancy and primary care, yet current systems of care are marked by poor coordination of care between providers and patient care settings. Suboptimal postpartum follow-up is particularly worrisome for women with chronic health conditions or pregnancy complications who face both short- and long-term health risks. Given known challenges and medical risks, the single, 6-week postpartum visit women receive is woefully inadequate in addressing maternal health needs. Postpartum visits often fail to address the unique postpartum needs identified by mothers, inadequately connect women with primary care services, and have low attendance. Recognition of these unmet needs of "the Fourth Trimester" have led national organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), to call for a restructuring of postpartum care to reduce postpartum and long-term morbidity and improve postpartum well-being. Rhode Island has several recent initiatives with the potential to improve outcomes for mother-baby dyads including the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), the provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) immediately postpartum, and the addition of HPV immunization postpartum. These initiatives remove barriers of access to care and provide vital women's health services prior to discharge. The Fourth Trimester provides a rich opportunity for maternal risk reduction and health promotion at a time when women are motivated and engaged with health care.

Availability and Use of Contraceptive Implants in Jamaica: Results of a Review of Medical Records and a Survey of Reproductive Healthcare Providers in Six Public Health Centres / Disponibilidad y uso de los implantes anticonceptivos en Jamaica: resultados de una revisión de las historias clínicas y una encuesta de los proveedores de salud reproductiva en seis centros de salud pública

ABSTRACT Objective: The prevalence of sub-dermal contraceptive implant use in Jamaica is low, despite growing international acceptance of long-acting reversible contraception. This study assessed the availability, effectiveness, side-effects and utilization of sub-dermal contraceptive implants and described the characteristics of users over a one-year period. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of women aged 15-45 years who utilized contraceptive implant-related services at any of the six included public health centres in Jamaica during 2013, and surveyed 20 available reproductive healthcare providers. Results: In 2013, 738 women attended a Jamaican public health centre for contraceptive implant services: 493 (66.8%) for insertion, 202 (27.4%) for removal and 53 (7.2%) for follow-up visits (10 women had the same implant inserted and removed in 2013). The women's median age was 26.0 years, 24.3% were ≤ 18 years, and 85.9% had ≥ 1 child. Most women (68.5%) did not have documented side-effects; irregular bleeding, the most commonly documented side-effect, was recorded for 24%. Of the 493 women who had implants inserted, three (0.6%) were identified to be pregnant within three months of insertion. Among the 202 women who had implants removed, 11 (5.4%) experienced complications with removal. Reproductive healthcare providers highlighted the need for an expansion of contraceptive implant availability and provider training. Conclusion: Sub-dermal implants have few insertion complications and side-effects and are effective, but were underutilized in Jamaica. Increased implant availability and enhanced reproductive healthcare provider training may improve implant utilization and reduce unintended pregnancy rates in Jamaica.

RESUMEN Objetivo: La prevalencia del uso de implantes anticonceptivos subdérmicos en Jamaica es baja, a pesar de la creciente aceptación internacional de la anticoncepción reversible de acción prolongada. El presente estudio evalúa la disponibilidad, efectividad, efectos secundarios y utilización de los implantes anticonceptivos subdérmicos, y describe las características de los usuarios durante el período de un año. Métodos: Se revisaron las historias clínicas de mujeres de 15 a 45 años de edad, que utilizaron servicios relacionados con los implantes anticonceptivos en cualquiera de los seis centros de salud pública de Jamaica durante 2013, y se encuestaron 20 profesionales de salud reproductiva disponibles. Resultados: En 2013, 738 mujeres asistieron a un centro de salud pública de Jamaica para recibir servicios de implantes anticonceptivos: 493 (66.8%) para inserción, 202 (27.4%) para eliminación, y 53 (7.2%) para visitas de seguimiento (a 10 mujeres se les insertó y se les quitó el mismo implante en 2013). La edad promedio de las mujeres fue 26.0 años, 24.3% tenían ≤ 18 años, y el 85.9% tenían ≥ 1 niño. La mayoría de las mujeres (68.5%) no presentaban efectos secundarios documentados. El sangramiento irregular - el efecto secundario más comúnmente documentado - se registró en un 24%. De las 493 mujeres que tenían implantes insertados, se halló que tres (0.6%) resultaron embarazadas en el plazo de tres meses tras la inserción. De las 202 mujeres a las que se les había retirado el implante, 11 (5.4%) tuvieron complicaciones en el proceso de la eliminación. Los profesionales de la salud reproductiva destacaron la necesidad de expandir la disponibilidad de implantes anticonceptivos y la capacitación de proveedores. Conclusión: Los implantes subdérmicos presentan pocas complicaciones a la hora de su inserción, y tienen pocos efectos secundarios. Sin embargo, son subutilizados en Jamaica, a pesar de ser efectivos. Una mayor disponibilidad de implantes y una mejor capacitación de los profesionales de la salud reproductiva pueden mejorar la utilización de implantes y reducir las tasas de embarazos no intencionados en Jamaica.

Patient Education About the Affordable Care Act Contraceptive Coverage Requirement Increases Interest in Using Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.

BACKGROUND: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance to cover all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives at no cost to patients, including highly effective long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Our objective was to determine whether a brief educational intervention about these provisions would increase interest in LARC use. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey of women seeking contraceptive care in an urban outpatient obstetrics/gynecology clinic. We collected baseline contraceptive attitudes and knowledge of the ACA's contraceptive coverage provisions before the intervention. Our primary outcome was interest in using a LARC method before and after reading a short description of the ACA's contraceptive coverage provisions. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 316 participants. Most participants (52.8%) could not correctly identify any of the contraception coverage stipulations protected under the ACA. We observed a significant increase in LARC interest after the intervention in all participants (37.3% vs. 44.3%; p = .038), primarily among participants who did not originally identify any ACA provisions correctly (n = 167; 38.3% vs. 48.5%; p = .030). This subset also demonstrated a greater adjusted odds ratio of post-intervention LARC interest (odds ratio, 2.889; 95% CI, 1.234-6.723; p = .014). Interest in short-acting reversible contraception and contraception overall remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Most women seeking birth control lack comprehensive understanding of the contraceptive coverage protected by the ACA. Incorporating patient education about the ACA's no-cost contraception provision into routine contraceptive counseling may increase interest in LARC use and better enable women to make informed family planning decisions unrestrained by financial considerations.

Medical therapies for heavy menstrual bleeding in women with uterine fibroids: a retrospective analysis of a large commercially insured population in the USA.

OBJECTIVES: To report patterns and patient characteristics associated with initiation of and persistence with medical therapies for uterine fibroid-related heavy menstrual bleeding. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: US commercial insurance claims database. POPULATION: 41 561 women aged 18-54 years with uterine fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding who initiated medical therapies from January 2000 through December 2013. METHOD: Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess patient characteristics associated with initiation and persistence. Cox proportional hazards regression was used on propensity score-matched cohorts to examine change from index medication. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Initiation of and persistence with four first-line medical therapies: short- and long-acting reversible contraceptive steroids, leuprolide acetate, and tranexamic acid. RESULTS: Most women (79.4%) took short-acting reversible contraceptive steroids as first-line therapy (index medication), whereas 9.5%, 8.5%, and 2.7% used long-acting reversible contraceptive steroids, leuprolide acetate, and tranexamic acid, respectively. During follow-up, 16 594 women (39.9%) switched to nonindex medication (18.4%) or procedural treatment (81.6%). In comparison with women taking short-acting steroids, those receiving long-acting steroids were less likely to switch [hazard ratio (HR) 0.84, 95% CI 0.79-0.91], whereas women taking leuprolide acetate (HR 2.44, 95% CI 2.27-2.62) or tranexamic acid (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.26-1.65) were more likely to switch. Older age, emergency department visits, anaemia, and inflammatory disease diagnoses at baseline were associated with increased probability of discontinuing the index medication or switching to another therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Women with uterine fibroid-related heavy menstrual bleeding were more likely to persist with their initial therapy of long-acting reversible contraceptive steroid compared with other medical options. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: 80% women with fibroid-related heavy menstrual bleeding use SARC, but LARC users are more persistent.

The Use of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives and the Relationship between Discontinuation Rates due to Menopause and to Female and Male Sterilizations / Uso de contraceptivos reversíveis de longa duração e a relação entre taxas de descontinuidade devido à menopausa e à esterilização de homens e mulheres

Abstract Introduction Women require effective contraception until they reach menopause. The long acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and the depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA, Depo-Provera(r), Pfizer, Puurs, Belgium) are great options and can replace possible sterilizations. Purpose To assess the relationship between the use of LARCs and DMPA and terminations ascribed to menopause and sterilizations in a Brazilian clinic. Methods We reviewed the records of women between 12 and 50 years of age attending the clinic that chose to use a LARC method or DMPA. Cumulative termination rates due to sterilization or because the woman had reached menopause were computed using single decrement life-table analysis over 32 years. We also examined all records of surgical sterilization at our hospital between the years 1980-2012. Results Three hundred thirty-two women had continuously used the same contraceptive until menopause, and 555 women had discontinued the method because they or their partners underwent sterilization. From year 20 to year 30 of use, levonorgestrel intrauterine-releasing system (LNG-IUS - Mirena(r), Bayer Oy, Turku, Finland; available since 1980), copper intrauterine device (IUD - available since 1980) and DMPA users showed a trend of cumulative higher discontinuation rates due to menopause when compared with the discontinuation rates due to sterilization. Over the study period, a steep decline in the use of sterilization occurred. Conclusion Over the past 15 years of research we have observed a trend: women usually preferred to continue using LARC methods or DMPA until menopause rather than decide for sterilization, be it their own, or their partners'. The annual number of sterilizations dropped in the same period. The use of LARC methods and DMPA until menopause is an important option to avoid sterilization, which requires a surgical procedure with potential complications.

Resumo Introdução Mulheres necessitam de contracepção até atingirem a menopausa. Os contraceptivos reversíveis de longa duração e o acetato de medroxiprogesterona de depósito (AMPD) são ótimas opções para substituir possíveis esterilizações. Objetivo Avaliar a relação entre o uso de contraceptivos reversíveis de longa duração (LARCs) e AMPD com terminações atribuídas à menopausa e a esterilizações em uma clínica brasileira. Métodos Revisamos os registros de mulheres entre 12 e 50 anos de idade atendidas em clínica e que escolheram usar LARC ou AMPD. Índices de terminação acumulada devido à esterilização ou à menopausa foram computados usando análise de tabela de vida durante 32 anos. Também examinamos todos os registros de cirurgias de esterilização em nosso hospital no período de 1980 a 2012. Resultados Trezentas e trinta e duas mulheres usaram continuamente o mesmo contraceptivo até a menopausa, e 555 mulheres não deram continuidade ao método pelo fato de elas ou seus parceiros terem se submetido à esterilização. De 20 a 30 anos de uso, usuários de sistema intrauterino de levonorgestrel, dispositivo intrauterino de cobre e AMPD apresentaram tendência de maiores índices de descontinuidade devido à menopausa quando comparados a índices de descontinuidade devido à esterilização. No período de estudo, ocorreu um declínio acentuado no uso de esterilização. Conclusão Nos últimos 15 anos do estudo, foi observada uma tendência na qual mulheres optaram mais por continuar usando LARC ou AMPD até a menopausa do que pela esterilização própria ou de seus parceiros. O número anual de esterilizações caiu no mesmo período. O uso de LARC e AMPD até a menopausa é uma opção importante para evitar a esterilização, que exige um procedimento cirúrgico com potenciais complicações.

Anticoncepcionais reversíveis de longa duração: Implante Liberador de Etonogestrel (Implanon®) / Long-acting reversible contraceptives: etonogestrel-releasing implant (Implanon®)

Apesar do crescente número de usuárias de métodos contraceptivos, 41% das gestações mundiais não foram planejadas. Os métodos de longa duração são uma alternativa eficaz de reduzir o número de gestações não planejadas diminuindo, assim, taxas de mortalidade materna e infantil. O implante é um método reversível de longa duração, com alta eficácia e taxa de continuidade. Este estudo tem como proposta fazer uma revisão sobre o implante liberador de etonogestrel, seus efeitos adversos e benefícios contraceptivos e não contraceptivos.(AU)

Despite the growing number of users of contraceptive methods, 41% of worldwide pregnancies were unplanned. Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS) are an effective alternative to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies thereby reducing maternal and child mortality. The implant is a LARC, with high efficacy and continuation rate. This study has the objective to review the use of the etonogestrel-releasing implant, its adverse effects and contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits.(AU)