Prevention of unintended pregnancies by using emergency contraception: the differences between levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate. A theoretical model using data from a survey on the use of emergency contraception in Spain, 2017.

Objective: To estimate the differences in unintended pregnancies avoided using either levonorgestrel (LNG) or ulipristal acetate (UPA) emergency contraception (EC). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Survey carried out in Spain. Participants: 1000 Spanish women reporting unprotected sex in 2017. Main measurements: EC use, reasons for not using EC, calculation of the number of unintended pregnancies avoided. Results: 39% of Spanish women having had unprotected sex used EC. 61% of those women did not use EC and 11% did not know the existence of this resource. In 2017 the use of EC prevented 101,271 unintended pregnancies. If instead of using LNG every woman had used UPA another 15,979 additional pregnancies could have been prevented. Conclusions: If all Spanish women having unprotected sex used EC we could expect a significant decrease in the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions. Using UPA instead of LNG would have a greater impact on that reduction with the corresponding benefit for women and society as a whole.

Trends in contraception use in Spanish adolescents and young adults (15 to 24 years) between 2002 and 2008.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in the use of contraceptive methods, and induced abortion rates, in Spanish adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years, between 2002 and 2008. STUDY DESIGN: Representative samples of Spanish men and women aged 15 to 24 years were surveyed in 2002 (N = 1826) and 2008 (N = 2000). RESULTS: The rate of use of contraceptive methods increased from 61% in men and 60% in women in 2002 to 80% and 75%, respectively, in 2008. The most commonly used method was the condom (51% in 2002 and 71% in 2008), followed by the contraceptive pill (18% in 2002 and 18% in 2008). None of the adolescents and young adults surveyed used natural methods or the diaphragm, or had undergone sterilisation. The induced abortion rate increased from 9.28 to 13.48 per 1000 women in the group aged between 15 and 19 years, and from 14.37 to 21.05 per 1000 women in the group aged 20 to 24 years. CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in the use of effective birth control methods, the rates of abortion rose during the study period, which may indicate that compliance with the use of condoms is inadequate. There is an urgent need to develop educational campaigns or to design specific policies addressing contraception-related issues for young people.

Contraceptive practices of women requesting induced abortion in Spain: a cross-sectional multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: To collect information on (i) contraceptive methods used immediately before unwanted pregnancy, and (ii) planned contraception following induced abortion among Spanish residents. METHODS: Eight centres officially accredited to perform abortions participated in a cross-sectional study. The study population included 2475 women requesting induced abortion between 1 January and 31 March 2007. RESULTS: Contraceptive methods used before unwanted pregnancy were condoms in 40% of the cases, combined hormonal contraception in 14%, and other methods (mainly natural methods and withdrawal) in 10%. Thirty-six percent of women did not use any contraceptive method. Failure of the method due to incorrect use was reported by 77% of those using condoms and by 84% of those using hormonal contraception. Only 23% of women planned to use a contraceptive method after abortion. Almost half of the women were immigrants. CONCLUSION: Despite the use of effective contraceptive methods, the majority of women requesting induced abortion in Spain became pregnant during the use of these methods. These data reflect a lack of compliance. More education programmes are needed to improve compliance rates. The long-acting reversible contraceptive methods could constitute an appropriate approach.

Eligibility criteria for Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): a position statement from a consortium of scientific societies for the use of MHT in women with medical conditions. MHT Eligibility Criteria Group.

This project aims to develop eligibility criteria for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The tool should be similar to those already established for contraception A consortium of scientific societies coordinated by the Spanish Menopause Society met to formulate recommendations for the use of MHT by women with medical conditions based on the best available evidence. The project was developed in two phases. As a first step, we conducted 14 systematic reviews and 32 metanalyses on the safety of MHT (in nine areas: age, time of menopause onset, treatment duration, women with thrombotic risk, women with a personal history of cardiovascular disease, women with metabolic syndrome, women with gastrointestinal diseases, survivors of breast cancer or of other cancers, and women who smoke) and on the most relevant pharmacological interactions with MHT. These systematic reviews and metanalyses helped inform a structured process in which a panel of experts defined the eligibility criteria according to a specific framework, which facilitated the discussion and development process. To unify the proposal, the following eligibility criteria have been defined in accordance with the WHO international nomenclature for the different alternatives for MHT (category 1, no restriction on the use of MHT; category 2, the benefits outweigh the risks; category 3, the risks generally outweigh the benefits; category 4, MHT should not be used). Quality was classified as high, moderate, low or very low, based on several factors (including risk of bias, inaccuracy, inconsistency, lack of directionality and publication bias). When no direct evidence was identified, but plausibility, clinical experience or indirect evidence were available, "Expert opinion" was categorized. For the first time, a set of eligibility criteria, based on clinical evidence and developed according to the most rigorous methodological tools, has been defined. This will provide health professionals with a powerful decision-making tool that can be used to manage menopausal symptoms.

Development and Psychometric Validation of a Screening Questionnaire to Detect Excessive Menstrual Blood Loss That Interferes in Quality of Life: The SAMANTA Questionnaire.

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) affects up to 35% of women at some point in their lives, and has an important impact on their quality of life (QoL). Current techniques to assess and quantify menstrual blood loss are inconvenient and the correlation between actual and perceived blood loss is poor. This study aimed to develop and validate a screening questionnaire in Spanish to identify HMB in women of reproductive age. Methods: The study consisted of two phases: the conceptual development of a set of items to discriminate between women with and without HMB and the assessment of the sensitivity and specificity of these items. Correlation of the screening tool with women's perception of the intensity of bleeding and the interference in their daily life activities was also assessed. Results: An initial set of 46 items were identified, from which 21 items were selected following the cognitive interviews. For the psychometric validation phase, 389 patients were enrolled, of whom 364 were assessable: 211 cases with Pictorial Blood loss Assessment Chart-confirmed excessive menstrual loss (EML) and 153 controls. Six items met entry criteria in the model and together yielded a sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 89.5% to identify cases and controls. These items were weighted according to their contribution to the final model to yield a tool that can be scored from 0 to 10 being 3 the cutoff point to diagnose EML that interferes in QoL. Conclusions: The 6-item SAMANTA questionnaire represents a valid screening tool to easily identify women with EML that interfere with QoL.

Self-described impact of noncompliance among users of a combined hormonal contraceptive method.

BACKGROUND: A number of factors related to the user and the method affect contraceptive compliance. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional multicenter study was designed to assess self-described impact of noncompliant behavior among 26,250 typical users of a combined hormonal contraceptive method who consulted their physicians for control visits. A self-administered questionnaire was completed. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of women used the pill, 23% the vaginal ring and 12% the transdermal patch. Noncompliant behavior (missing/delays in taking/application, insertion or removal of the pill/skin patch/vaginal ring) was recorded in 71% of pill users, 32% of patch users and 21.6% of vaginal ring users (p<.0001). Emergency contraception was requested by 14% of pill users, 11% of patch users and 6.3% of ring users. About 40% of women in all groups called or visited a physician. Seventy percent of women continued to have active sex life, and 60% used an additional contraceptive method. Noncompliant behavior negatively affected work activities and/or couple relationships in 10-20% of cases. More than 50% of women reported they were worried and about 20% were scared due to inconsistent use of the contraceptive method. After filling out the questionnaire, 64.7% of pill users continued to prefer the pill, 61.7% of patch users preferred the patch and 96.6% of women using the vaginal ring preferred the ring. CONCLUSIONS: Noncompliant behavior had noticeable effects on emotional well-being, prompted request for physicians' advice, and use of emergency contraception. Despite recognition of problems associated with inconsistent use, women tended to prefer the currently used contraceptive method.

Factors affecting women's selection of a combined hormonal contraceptive method: the TEAM-06 Spanish cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive efficacy and side effects are primary concerns of women when choosing a contraceptive method. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional multicenter study was designed to assess the reasons for selecting the contraceptive pill, the skin patch or the vaginal ring in 9700 women, aged 18-49 years, who consulted their doctors for starting or re-initiating combined hormonal contraception. A self-administered questionnaire regarding the reasons for the selection made and for the refusal of the remaining two methods was completed. RESULTS: The vaginal ring showed the highest acceptance (46%) compared with the pill (39%) and the skin patch (15%), particularly in women aged 35-39 years. The ring and the skin patch were mainly preferred because of the lower probability of inadvertent omission (62% of cases), convenience, and monthly or weekly frequency of use. The pill was preferred because of its proven efficacy (60% of cases) and ease of use. The acceptance of the skin patch increased with age and the pill was mostly accepted only by women in the youngest age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Convenience, frequency of use and lower probability of inadvertent omission were the primary determinants of contraceptive choice rather than the women's profile.

Experience with GyneFIX insertions in Spain: favorable acceptance of the intrauterine contraceptive implant with some limitations.

This study evaluates the incidents associated with GyneFIX insertion and first-year expulsion and continuity rates within the usual intrauterine contraceptive practice of a working group of Spanish professionals (GESEG), formed specifically with this aim. It is a prospective, multicenter, observational study of GyneFIX insertion in 1684 women. Data were prospectively collected on a structured form and processed centrally. Interest was focused on difficulties encountered during the insertion procedure and symptoms experienced during insertion. All terms were defined by consensus. Among the total, 18.6% of the women were nulliparous. GyneFIX insertion was rated easy in 92%, with more difficulty in nulliparous women, who showed significantly more symptoms during insertion of the device. First-year expulsion and continuity rates were 5.6 and 88 per 100 women, respectively. The pregnancy rate was 0.3 per 100 women/years. The GyneFIX system is an interesting alternative to standard IUDs for intrauterine contraception with copper, particularly in women who have experienced expulsion of other types of IUDs. Experienced professionals in IUD insertion quickly acquire familiarity with the GyneFIX insertion system, but proper implantation does not completely eliminate the risk of expulsion. Thus, the insertion system should be further modified to achieve a simpler, safer technique.

Attitudes of Spanish women toward premenstrual symptoms, premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: results of a nationwide survey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the attitudes of women with premenstrual symptoms in relation to their perception of complaints and request for medical advice. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of a representative cohort of 2018 Spanish women aged 15-49 years. Participants were personally interviewed at home and completed the premenstrual symptoms screening tool. RESULTS: A total of 1554 women (73.7%) complained of some of the premenstrual symptoms during the last 12 menstrual cycles. The prevalence of moderate or severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was 8.9% and the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) 1.1%. Only 291 (18.7%) women had sought medical advice. The main reason given by 90.6% of symptomatic women for not seeking medical consultation was to consider that symptoms were normal. A total of 175 (60.1%) women received pharmacological treatment (hormonal contraceptives in 95% followed by analgesics in 50% and anti-inflammatory agents in 44%), 20% were not treated because physicians considered that symptoms were not important and would disappear spontaneously, and 12% received only advice to change life style. CONCLUSION: Women suffering from PMS or PMDD do not usually seek medical advice and among those seeking medical care, in many cases, an adequate response to their demands is not obtained.

Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in a representative cohort of Spanish women of fertile age.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms, premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in a cohort of women of fertile age representative of the general Spanish population. STUDY DESIGN: During the period between November 27th and December 22nd, 2008, a cross-sectional nationwide survey was conducted among a cohort of Spanish women aged between 15 and 49 years. Participants were personally interviewed at home and completed the premenstrual symptoms screening tool. RESULTS: Of the 2108 participants, 1554 women (73.7%) complained of some of the premenstrual symptoms during the last 12 menstrual cycles. A total of 1415 (91%) women presented isolated symptoms and 139 (8.9%) a moderate/severe premenstrual syndrome. Twenty-four (1.1%) women fulfilled criteria for a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of premenstrual symptoms (73.7%) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (1.1%) in Spanish women aged between 15 and 49 years is similar to that reported in other Western countries. Only women with moderate or severe premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, however, had daily life activities significantly impaired by premenstrual symptoms.

Trends in the use of contraceptive methods and voluntary interruption of pregnancy in the Spanish population during 1997-2007.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to acquire information about the use of contraceptive methods in order to reduce the number of elective abortions. STUDY DESIGN: Since 1997, representative samples of Spanish women of childbearing potential (15-49 years) have been surveyed by the Daphne Team every 2 years to gather data of contraceptive methods used. RESULTS: During the study period, 1997 to 2007, the overall use of contraceptive methods increased from 49.1% to 79.9%. The most commonly used method was the condom (an increase from 21% to 38.8%), followed by the pill (an increase from 14.2% to 20.3%). Female sterilization and IUDs decreased slightly and were used by less than 5% of women in 2007. The elective abortion rate increased from 5.52 to 11.49 per 1000 women. CONCLUSIONS: The factors responsible for the increased rate of elective abortion need further investigation.

Aborto farmacológico en el primer trimestre de la gestación / Medical abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy

Objetivo. Revisar y actualizar las pautas del aborto farmacológico. Material y método. Revisión de la literatura. Resultados. La pauta terapéutica más utilizada en gestaciones de menos de 9 semanas (63 días) es la que combina 200 mg de mifepristona seguidos, a las 24-48 horas, de 800 mcg de misoprostol administrados por vía bucal o vaginal. Con esta pauta las tasas de eficacia oscilan entre el 96,12 y el 97,43% y la tasa de efectos secundarios mayores se sitúa entorno al 0,2%. Conclusiones. El aborto farmacológico es eficaz y seguro hasta las 9 semanas de gestación y, por ello, debería de ser ofrecido, como una opción válida, a todas las mujeres que consultan para interrumpir una gestación de menos de 9 semanas (AU)

Objectives. To review and update the different treatment options of pharmacological abortion. Material and methods. Literature search and review. Results. The most widely used treatment in pregnancies of less than 9 weeks (63 days) is a combination of 200 mg of mifepristone followed by 800 micrograms of misoprostol at 24-48 hours administered either vaginally or orally. Efficacy rates vary from 96.12% to 97.43% and the incidence of severe effects is low (0.2%). Conclusions. Medical abortion is safe and effective and should be offered to all women requesting a termination up to 63 days of gestation (AU)

Estudio observacional, transversal, de una muestra representativa de las mujeres españolas en edad fértil, sobre los cuidados, hábitos y promoción de la salud previamente y durante el embarazo: Estudio GESTMUJER / Cross-sectional study of vitamin and folic acid supplementation in a representative sample of Spanish women of fertile age before and during pregnancy: The GESTMUJER study

Objetivo. Conocer los hábitos de las mujeres españolas en edad fértil, respecto al uso de suplementos vitamínicos y ácido fólico antes y durante el embarazo. Material y método. Encuesta telefónica realizada a una muestra representativa de 1.020 mujeres residentes en España de 15 a 49 años de edad, durante el mes de marzo del 2013. Resultados. Una de cada 4 mujeres españolas planifica su embarazo. Como consecuencia de esta falta de planificación, solo el 28,6% de las mujeres había tomado un suplemento de ácido fólico con anterioridad al momento de quedar embarazada. Conclusiones. Sigue existiendo la necesidad de informar y aconsejar a las mujeres en edad fértil sobre la conveniencia de utilizar ácido fólico previamente a un embarazo. Parecen necesarias campañas institucionales que promuevan tanto la planificación de un futuro embarazo, como el uso de suplementos vitamínicos antes y durante el mismo (AU)

Objective. To identify the use of folic acid and other vitamins in Spanish women of fertile age before and during pregnancy. Material and method. A representative survey of 1020 Spanish women aged 15 to 49 years was carried out in March 2013. Results. Only one quarter of Spanish women planned their pregnancies and,as a result, only 28.6% of women took folic acid before becoming pregnant. Conclusions. There is a lack of information about the role and importance of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects. Institutional campaigns are needed to promote both pregnancy planningand the use of vitamin supplements before and during pregnancy (AU)

La juventud española y el doble método: un análisis de la situación actual. Resultados de un estudio transversal de una muestra amplia / Spanish 15-24-year-olds and the «double method»: Analysis of the current situation. Results of a cross-sectional study in a broad sample

Objetivos: Conocer el porcentaje de jóvenes españoles de ambos sexos, con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 24 años, que utilizan o conocen el doble método. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado en el mes de marzo de 2005 mediante una encuesta nacional entre una muestra de 2.015 jóvenes españoles con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 24 años. Los datos fueron recogidos en una base de datos diseñada para el estudio y su tratamiento estadístico se realizó mediante el paquete SPSS. Resultados: El 70% de los jóvenes es sexualmente activo. El método anticonceptivo más utilizado es el preservativo. Sólo el 3,4% de los jóvenes varones españoles y el 7,3% de las mujeres han utilizado, en alguna ocasión, un doble método, y este porcentaje desciende hasta el 0,2 y el 2,9%, respectivamente, cuando se refiere a la última relación sexual mantenida. El 31% de los varones y el 36,8% de las mujeres conocen el doble método. Conclusiones: El uso y el conocimiento del doble método entre la población joven española son bajos

Objectives: To determine the percentage ofSpanish 15-24-year-olds of both sexes that use orknow about the double method.Material and methods: We performed a crosssectionalstudy in March 2005 through a national survey of a sample of 2015 Spanish 15-24-yearolds.The data were collected in a databasespecifically designed for the study and wereanalyzed using the SPSS statistical system.Results: Seventy percent of the 15-24-year-oldswere sexually active. The most widely usedcontraceptive method was the condom. Only 3.4%of males and 7.3% of females had ever used thedouble method and this percentage decreased to0.2% and 2.9%, respectively, in the last sexualrelationship. Thirty-one percent of males and 36.8%of females were aware of the double method.Conclusions: Use and knowledge of the double method are low among young Spaniards (AU)