Mental health conditions and contraception: current landscape, reproductive health and obstetric outcomes, and clinical guidance.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review presents the epidemiology of mental health conditions among reproductive aged people, common adverse reproductive outcomes, the hormonal profile of contraception and its relationship with psychiatric outcomes, and updated information for clinicians providing contraceptive counselling for this population. RECENT FINDINGS: There is variability among contraceptive behaviours and patterns across those who have mental health conditions, impacting reproductive, psychiatric, and perinatal outcomes. The endocrinology of hormonal contraceptives is well understood, however, the impacts of steroidal hormones on mental health outcomes continue to be less understood. Overall, hormonal contraceptives are safe to use among those with mental health conditions, and among those using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Additional considerations are needed when prescribing contraception among people who may be at risk of poor adherence, who use certain classes of antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, and who are <6 weeks postpartum. SUMMARY: Barriers to effective contraceptive use should be addressed and myths on negative psychiatric impacts of hormonal contraceptives should be dispelled. Healthcare clinicians should seek out opportunities to become proficient in contraception counselling to improve health outcomes among people with mental health conditions.

Male Contraception.

Approximately 40 to 50% of pregnancies are unintended. Contraceptive use significantly reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy. Approximately 70% of couples' contraceptive use is female and 30% is male, attributable to the reliance on condoms and vasectomies. Unfortunately, many women cannot use currently available contraceptives due to medical contraindications or side effects. At the same time, men want additional safe and effective contraceptive methods. Because of this, work to develop novel, safe, and effective male contraceptives is underway. This review will briefly discuss the pros and cons of condoms and vasectomies, and then describe research into the development of novel methods of male contraception, by the mechanism of action of the contraceptive. First, we will discuss male contraceptives that block sperm transmission. Next, we will discuss male contraceptives that impair sperm production. Lastly, we will discuss male contraceptives that impair sperm function.

Contraception and Cardiovascular Effects: What Should the Cardiologist Know?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women. This review highlights contraceptive options and their effects on the cardiovascular system (CVS). It provides guidance to cardiologists to make informed decisions regarding the safety of contraceptive use and cardiovascular risk stratification in the care of women of childbearing age. RECENT FINDINGS: Approximately 44% of American women live with some type of CVD. Many women use hormonal contraception during their lifetime. It is imperative that cardiologists have a robust understanding of the forms of contraception in current use and their cardiovascular effects. This contemporary review provides a comprehensive summary of available contraceptive methods to practicing cardiologists and aims to be used as a resource to guide cardiovascular specialists on contraception in the context of cardiovascular disease.

Contracepção em situações especiais / Contraception in special situations

A decisão de escolha do método contraceptivo em situações clínicas especiais é desafiadora tanto para médicos quanto para pacientes. Em parte, isso se deve às contraindicações reais que alguns contraceptivos apresentam. Porém, há uma estreita relação com a falta de conhecimento e medo de muitos profissionais em prescrever métodos que, na realidade, são seguros. A má escolha do método contraceptivo para pacientes portadoras de condições específicas pode levar a diversos desfechos ruins, como piora da condição de base, ocorrência de eventos adversos indesejáveis e preveníveis e ocorrência de gravidez de alto risco indesejada. Dessa forma, foi realizada uma revisão na literatura com o objetivo de auxiliar profissionais médicos na decisão contraceptiva de pacientes portadoras de doenças reumatológicas e musculoesqueléticas, epilepsia, esclerose múltipla, transtornos alimentares, anemia falciforme e obesidade, e que já foram submetidas a cirurgia bariátrica.(AU)

The decision to choose the contraceptive method in special clinical situations is challenging for both physicians and patients. In part, this is due to the real contraindications that some contraceptives present. However, there is a close relationship with the lack of knowledge and fear of many professionals in prescribing methods that are actually safe. The poor choice of contraceptive method in patients with specific conditions can lead to several bad outcomes, such as worsening of the baseline condition, occurrence of undesirable and preventable adverse events and occurrence of an unwanted high-risk pregnancy. Thus, a literature review was carried out in order to assist medical professionals in the contraceptive decision of patients with rheumatological and musculoskeletal diseases, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, eating disorders, sickle cell anemia, obesity and who have already undergone bariatric surgery.(AU)

Oral Contraceptive Pills and Hypertension: A Review of Current Evidence and Recommendations.

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have been used as effective and popular forms of contraception since the middle of the last century. By 2019, over 150 million reproductive-aged individuals were using OCPs to prevent unintended pregnancies worldwide. Safety concerns regarding the effects of OCPs on blood pressure were reported soon after these pills gained approval. Although OCP doses were subsequently reduced, epidemiologic evidence continued to support a smaller, but significant association between OCPs and hypertension. Given the rising prevalence of hypertension, as well as the adverse effects of cumulative exposure to blood pressure elevations on cardiovascular disease risk, understanding the nature of the association between OCPs and hypertension is important for clinicians and patients to assess the risks and benefits of use, and make individualized decisions regarding contraception. Therefore, this review summarizes the current and historical evidence describing the association between OCP use and blood pressure elevations. Specifically, it identifies the pathophysiologic mechanisms linking OCPs to hypertension risk, describes the magnitude of the association between OCPs and blood pressure elevations, and distinguishes the effects of various OCP types on blood pressure. Finally, it describes current recommendations regarding hypertension and OCP use, as well as identifies strategies, such as over-the-counter OCP prescribing, to safely and equitably improve access to oral contraception.

Contracepção pós-parto e pós-abortamento: um compilado das evidências atuais / Postpartum and post-abortion contraception: a compilation of current evidences

Idealmente, a contracepção deve ser iniciada o mais precocemente possível após o parto ou após o abortamento, permitindo que as mulheres sejam protegidas contra uma gravidez não programada subsequente. O objetivo desta revisão é discutir a contracepção no pós-parto e pós-aborto, por meio da análise de ensaios clínicos e metanálises, além das principais diretrizes internacionais, com ênfase nas indicações e contraindicações, tempo de início do uso dos métodos contraceptivos e possíveis complicações. Nesta revisão não sistemática, são discutidos os principais métodos contraceptivos: dispositivos intrauterinos, métodos somente de progestagênios, métodos hormonais combinados, métodos de barreira, método de amenorreia lactacional e esterilização. O aconselhamento contraceptivo pós-parto deve começar durante o pré-natal e, em pacientes após abortamento, durante a internação hospitalar. Todas as mulheres devem ter acesso a informações claras sobre cada método contraceptivo, e o processo de tomada de decisão deve ser compartilhado com o médico assistente. Idealmente, métodos de contracepção reversíveis de longa duração devem ser priorizados em relação aos outros. Em conjunto, todas as evidências demonstram que o melhor método para cada paciente é aquele que combine altas taxas de segurança com o desejo da paciente de iniciá-lo e mantê-lo pelo tempo que desejar.

Contraception should ideally be started as early as possible after childbirth or abortion to allow women to be protected against a subsequent unplanned pregnancy. The aim of this review is to discuss postpartum and postabortion contraception, through the analysis of clinical trials and meta-analyses, in addition to the main international guidelines, with emphasis on indications and contraindications, time to start contraceptive method and possible complications. In this review, the main contraceptive methods are discussed: intrauterine devices, progestin-only methods, combined hormonal methods, barrier methods, lactational amenorrhea method and sterilization. Postpartum contraceptive counseling should start during prenatal care and during hospital stay in post-abortion patients. All women should have access to clear information about each contraceptive method and the decision-making process must be shared. Ideally, long acting reversible contraception methods should be prioritized over others. Taken together, all the evidence shows that the best method for each patient is the one that combines high safety rates with the patient's desire to start and maintain it for as long as she wants.

Contraceptive exposure associates with urinary tract infection risk in a cohort of reproductive-age women: a case control study.

PURPOSE: Although non-barrier contraception is commonly prescribed, the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) with contraceptive exposure is unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from Vanderbilt University Medical Centre's deidentified electronic health record (EHR), women ages 18-52 were randomly sampled and matched based on age and length of EHR. This case-control analysis tested for association between contraception exposure and outcome using UTI-positive (UTI+) as cases and upper respiratory infection+ (URI+) as controls. RESULTS: 24,563 UTI + cases (mean EHR: 64.2 months; mean age: 31.2 years) and 48,649 UTI-/URI + controls (mean EHR: 63.2 months; mean age: 31.9 years) were analysed. In the primary analysis, UTI risk was statistically significantly increased for the oral contraceptive pill (OCP; OR = 1.10 [95%CI = 1.02-1.11], p ≤ 0.05), intrauterine device (IUD; OR = 1.13 [95%CI = 1.04-1.23], p ≤ 0.05), etonogestrel implant (Nexplanon®; OR = 1.56 [95% CI = 1.24-1.96], p ≤ 0.05), and medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable (Depo-Provera®; OR = 2.16 [95%CI = 1.99-2.33], p ≤ 0.05) use compared to women not prescribed contraception. A secondary analysis that included any non-IUD contraception, which could serve as a proxy for sexual activity, demonstrated a small attenuation for the association between UTI and IUD (OR = 1.09 [95%CI = 0.98-1.21], p = 0.13). CONCLUSION: This study notes potential for a small increase in UTIs with contraceptive use. Prospective studies are required before this information is applied in clinical settings. CONDENSATION: Although non-barrier contraception is commonly prescribed, the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) with contraceptive exposure is poorly understood. This large-cohort, case-control study notes potential for a small increase in UTIs with contraceptive use.

Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Risk of Depression Among Young Women With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have an increased risk of becoming teenage mothers. Adverse effects of hormonal contraception (HC), including depression, may affect adherence to user-dependent contraception and increase the risk for unplanned pregnancies and teenage births in women with ADHD. The current study analyzed whether girls and young women with ADHD are at increased risk for depression during HC use compared with women without ADHD. METHOD: A linkage of Swedish national registers covering 29,767 girls and young women with ADHD aged 15 to 24 years and 763,146 without ADHD provided measures of ADHD and depression diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases [ICD] code) and prescription of stimulant medication, HC, and antidepressant medication (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical [ATC] code). Cox regression models applying an interaction term (ADHD diagnosis × HC use) evaluated the excess risk of HC-induced depression in women with ADHD. RESULTS: Women with ADHD had a 3-fold higher risk of developing depression, irrespective of HC use (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 3.69, 95% CI = 3.60-3.78). Oral combined HC users with ADHD had a 5 times higher risk of depression compared with women without ADHD who were not using oral combined HC (aHR = 5.19, 95% CI = 4.94-5.47), and a 6 times higher risk in comparison with women without ADHD who were on oral combined HC (aHR = 6.10 (95% CI = 5.79-6.43). The corresponding risk of depression in women with ADHD who used a progestogen-only pill (aHR = 5.00, 95% CI = 4.56-5.49). The risk of developing depression when using non-oral HC was similarly moderately increased in both groups. CONCLUSION: Girls and young women with ADHD have an increased risk of developing depression when using oral HC compared with their unaffected peers. Information on risks with HCs as well as potential benefits with long-acting reversible contraceptives needs to be an integrated part of the shared decision making and contraception counseling for young women with ADHD.

Science-Based Approach to Harmonize Contraception Recommendations in Clinical Trials and Pharmaceutical Labels.

This review presents a European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association/PreClinical Development Expert Group (EFPIA-PDEG) topic group consensus on a data-driven approach to harmonized contraception recommendations for clinical trial protocols and product labeling. There is no international agreement in pharmaceutical clinical trial protocols or product labeling on when/if female and/or male contraception is warranted and for how long after the last dose. This absence of consensus has resulted in different recommendations among regions. For most pharmaceuticals, contraception recommendations are generally based exclusively on nonclinical data and/or mechanism. For clinical trials, contraception is the default position and is maintained for women throughout clinical development, whereas appropriate information can justify removing male contraception. Conversely, contraception is only recommended in product labeling when warranted. A base case rationale is proposed for whether or not female and/or male contraception is/are warranted, using available genotoxicity and developmental toxicity data. Contraception is generally warranted for both male and female subjects treated with mutagenic pharmaceuticals. We propose as a starting point that contraception is not typically warranted when the margin is 10-fold or greater between clinical exposure at the maximum recommended human dose and exposure at the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for purely aneugenic pharmaceuticals and for pharmaceuticals that induce fetal malformations or embryo-fetal lethality. Other factors are discussed, including contraception methods, pregnancy testing, drug clearance, options for managing the absence of a developmental toxicity NOAEL, drug-drug interactions, radiopharmaceuticals, and other drug modalities. Overall, we present a data-driven rationale that can serve as a basis for consistent contraception recommendations in clinical trials and in product labeling across regions.

Body weight changes and duration of estrogen exposure modulate the evolution of hepatocellular adenomas after contraception discontinuation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The natural history of hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) remains to be better described, especially in nonresected patients. We aim to identify the predictive factors of HCA evolution after estrogen-based contraception discontinuation. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We retrospectively included patients with a histological diagnosis of HCA from three centers. Clinical, radiological, and pathological data were collected to identify predictive factors of radiological evolution per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1, and occurrence of complications (bleeding, malignant transformation). We built a score using variables that modulate estrogen levels: body mass index and duration of estrogen-based contraception. An external cohort was used to validate this score. 183 patients were included in the cohort, including 161 women (89%) using estrogen-based contraception for a median of 12 years. Thirty percent of patients had at least one HNF1A -inactivated HCA, 45.5% at least one inflammatory HCA, and 11% at least one HCA with activation of ß-catenin (bHCA). Twenty-one symptomatic bleedings (11%) and eleven malignant transformations (6%) occurred. Ages < 37 years old ( p = 0.004) and HCA > 5 cm at imaging were independently associated with symptomatic bleeding ( p = 0.003), whereas a bHCA was associated with malignant transformation ( p < 0.001). After a median follow-up of 5 years, radiological regression was observed in 31%, stabilization in 47%, and progression in 22% of patients. Weight loss was associated with regression ( p < 0.0001) and weight gain with progression ( p = 0.02). The estrogen exposure score predicted radiological regression (odds ratio, 2.33; confidence interval 95%, 1.29-4.19; p = 0.005) with a linear relationship between the rate of estrogen exposure and the probability of regression. This result was confirmed in an external cohort of 72 female patients ( p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Weight variation is strongly associated with radiological evolution after oral contraception discontinuation. A score of estrogen exposure, easily assessable in clinical practice at diagnosis, predicts regression of HCA.

Teratogenic medication use associated with favourable odds of contraception counselling in a cohort of women with systemic lupus erythematosus at a large tertiary academic medical centre.

OBJECTIVE: SLE primarily affects women of childbearing age, who have an increased risk of pregnancy complications, especially in the setting of active disease. Contraception counselling is particularly important given the teratogenicity of some medications used for SLE treatment. Our study describes the frequency of contraception counselling provided by multiple subspecialties to women with SLE and investigates associations between teratogenic medication use and receiving contraception counselling. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study of women (aged 15-46 years) diagnosed with SLE who were seen in various outpatient clinics at a large tertiary academic medical centre over a 2-year period. Demographic data were retrieved via the university-affiliated central data repository, and additional data, including documentation of contraception counselling, were obtained via manual chart abstraction. Univariable associations between variables and contraception counselling were assessed to produce unadjusted ORs and 95% CIs. Multivariable models were generated to evaluate independent associations between variables and contraception counselling. RESULTS: Data from 478 women (52% African American, 25% Caucasian) with SLE were included. Rheumatology was the subspecialty to document contraception counselling most frequently (57%). Nearly 80% of women received counselling from at least one subspecialty, 44% from at least two. Factors associated with having lower odds of receiving contraception counselling were older age and Caucasian race. Women on teratogenic medications (methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid, cyclophosphamide) had higher odds of receiving contraception counselling from at least one subspecialty (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.23 to 3.26), from two or more subspecialties (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.50 to 3.17), and from rheumatology (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.73). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, women with SLE on teratogenic medications had higher odds of receiving contraception counselling from rheumatology and from at least two subspecialties. Multidisciplinary approaches to enhance contraception counselling should be encouraged.

Estrogen-Eluting Ring for Contraception and Possible Issues of Severe Pulmonary Emboli.

BACKGROUND This case report demonstrates the relationship of an estrogen-eluting vaginal ring and thrombosis. There have been multiple reports in the literature demonstrating this scenario, but it is normally found that the patient is taking the medication orally. In this unique report we present the case of a patient with an acute severe pulmonary embolus while using an estrogen-eluting vaginal ring, with no other significant risk factors. CASE REPORT A 27-year-old African American woman who came to the Emergency Department due to new shortness of breath and tachycardia. She was discovered to have a pulmonary embolus found on CTA pulmonary. On further questioning, the patient noted using an estrogen-eluting ring for contraception. CONCLUSIONS We postulate that her use of this estrogen-eluting ring likely played a large part in her developing a pulmonary embolus, as this patient had little to no risk of developing a pulmonary embolism.

[An update in intrauterine contraception]. / Nouveautés en contraception intra-utérine.

Intrauterine devices (IUD) are the oldest of the modern contraceptives. There are currently two types of IUDs: copper IUD (Cu-IUD) and levonorgestrel IUD (LNG-IUD). Both offer high contraceptive effectiveness. Although they have been used for decades, the literature still brings its share of new information on IUDs: impact on oncological risk, non-contraceptive benefits, rare adverse effects, and impact on women's well-being. In addition, Cu-DIU is recognized as the most effective emergency contraceptive and can be inserted up to 5-7 days after the at-risk sexual intercourse. Research is now looking at the effectiveness of LNG-IUD in emergency contraception. Finally, new IUD concepts are also being evaluated: they should allow a reduction in the rate of expulsion, intermenstrual and heavy menstrual bleeding, an increase in comfort and in IUDs duration of use. This article makes an update on the latest developments in terms of intrauterine contraceptives.

Le dispositif intra-utérin (DIU) est le plus ancien des contraceptifs modernes. On distingue les DIU au cuivre (Cu-DIU) et les DIU au lévonorgestrel (LNG-DIU). Ils offrent une haute efficacité contraceptive. Bien qu'ils soient utilisés depuis des décennies, la littérature apporte encore aujourd'hui son lot de nouvelles informations sur les DIU: impact sur le risque oncologique, bénéfices non contraceptifs, effets indésirables rares et impact sur le bien-être des femmes. Par ailleurs, le Cu-DIU est reconnu comme étant le contraceptif d'urgence le plus efficace, pouvant être inséré jusqu'à 5-7 jours après le rapport à risque. La recherche se penche maintenant sur l'efficacité du LNG-DIU en contraception d'urgence. Enfin, de nouveaux concepts de DIU sont aussi à l'étude : ils devraient permettre une réduction du taux d'expulsion, une diminution des méno- et métrorragies, une augmentation du confort et une plus longue durée d'utilisation. Cet article fait le point sur les dernières nouveautés en termes de contraceptifs intra-utérins.

Exogenous Hormones and Breast Cancer Risk: Contraception, Menopausal Hormone Therapy, and Breast Cancer Survivors.

The use of exogenous estrogen and progesterone/progestin medications spans the reproductive and postreproductive lives of millions of women providing control over pregnancy timing, management of premenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms, and prevention of disease, including endometrial and ovarian cancer. These same hormones can also increase the risk of breast cancer in some settings and their use in breast cancer survivors may increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Given both the benefits and risks of these exogenous hormones, a detailed understanding of the available scientific evidence is imperative to help counsel individuals in their use across various settings.

Surgical contraception of free-ranging female capybaras: Description and comparison of open and minimally invasive techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To develop, describe, and evaluate 2 surgical techniques for contraception of free-ranging female capybaras. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Cadaveric (n = 3) and free-ranging female capybaras (n = 21). METHODS: Preliminary studies of surgical anatomy were performed on 3 capybara cadavers. Two different techniques for partial salpingectomy were evaluated in free-ranging female capybaras: bilateral minilaparotomy (LTG; n = 11) or bilateral laparoscopy (LCG; n = 10). Data concerning body weight, tubal ligation time, total surgical time, incision size, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed, as well as the clinical status and incisional healing 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: Body weight (P = .214), ligation time of the left uterine tube (P = .901), and total surgical time (P = .473) were similar between the experimental groups. The ligation time of the right uterine tube was shorter in the LCG group (P = .0463). In the LTG, no differences were observed between the sides regarding the incision size (P = .478). No major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in either group. One LCG procedure had to be converted to LTG due to technical issues. All skin incisions healed without complication. CONCLUSION: Both procedures showed similar and satisfactory outcomes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed techniques may be a suitable alternative to conventional laparotomy for contraception of female capybaras, especially under field conditions.