Relationship between long-acting reversible contraception and acne in a cohort of adolescents and young adults.

BACKGROUND: The use of progestin-only long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) may be a risk factor for acne. Few studies have focused primarily on the effects of hormonal LARC on the development or exacerbation of acne in adolescents and young adults. We sought to understand the incidence and management of acne following hormonal LARC insertion in this adolescent/young adult population. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted of prospectively collected quality improvement (QI) data from the Adolescent Medicine LARC Collaborative. Subjects were evaluated by clinicians in adolescent medicine clinics at participating study sites, and acne severity was documented using a standardized recording instrument and scale. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies and percentages for categorical variables or mean and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics by those who had worsening acne, accounting for site inter-correlation using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests for categorical variables and linear generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression for continuous variables. RESULTS: Of 1319 subjects who completed LARC insertion, 28.5% (376/1319) experienced worsening acne following use of progestin-only LARC. Acne was a contributing factor to LARC removal in only 3% (40/1319), and the sole reason for removal in 0.4% (5/1319) of all subjects. As this was a secondary analysis of prospectively collected QI data, limitations of this study include incomplete or inaccurate documentation of acne severity. Moreover, LARC insertions without follow-up/removal visits or with only follow-up/removal within 8 weeks of insertion were excluded from our study, which may also bias results. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and young adults seeking progestin-only LARC should be counseled about the potential for developing acne or experiencing a worsening of existing acne during LARC use. However, acne was not a common reason for LARC discontinuation.

Contraception in Medically Complex Adolescents and Young Adults.

Contraception is a significant part of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care for adolescents and young adults (AYA). While providers may assume that AYA with chronic illness are not sexually active, studies have shown that there are no differences in their sexual practices compared to their counterparts without an illness. This assumption may result in less SRH screening, preventative services, and counseling by providers resulting in decreased basic sexual knowledge, increased risk of unplanned pregnancy, and other health disparities. Sexually active AYA with medical complexity are particularly in need of contraception for a variety of reasons. A better understanding of the complexities around contraception counseling can help increase utilization rates, improve shared-decision making around family planning, and reduce the stigma around sexual health counseling in this population. We have included three sections. First, a general overview of contraception methods. Next, an overview of contraceptive methods currently available, their efficacy, and medical eligibility criteria for their use in AYA who have certain characteristics or medical conditions. Finally, cases adapted from real clinical scenarios to highlight specific recommendations for contraception in AYA women living HIV, autoimmune conditions, and those who have received a solid organ transplant. This information will help providers to consider the multiple factors that influence contraception decision-making (including clinical status, thrombosis risk, medication interactions, safety), and optimize care for AYA living with chronic illness.

Continuation rates of hormonal intrauterine devices in adolescents and young adults when placed for contraceptive and non-contraceptive indications.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate and compare continuation rates of hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) when placed for contraceptive or menstrual management indications in adolescents and young adults. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospectively collected database of all hormonal IUD insertions from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2020, with at least 1-year follow-up, across four Adolescent Medicine practices. IUD insertions without known indication were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 936 IUD insertions were attempted, 45% for contraception only, 18% for menstrual management only, and 37% for both indications. Insertion was successful in 868 (93%) attempts, and success did not differ by indication (p = 0.74). The mean age at insertion was 18.9 years (SD = 2.4 years), with no difference by indication. Of the completed insertions, 650 (75%) had at least one follow-up during the data analysis period. Excluding those without follow-up, the overall continuation rates were 77% at 1 year, 66% at 2 years, and 54% at 3 years. While continuation rates did not differ by indication at 1 year, at 3 years, continuation was highest among those who sought the device for menstrual management only (contraception = 53%, menstrual = 57%, both = 53%, p < 0.01) Malposition was rare (4.0%), as was device expulsion (2.5%), and these did not differ by indication. CONCLUSION: IUD continuation rates were high among adolescents and young adults and did not significantly differ when placed for contraceptive or non-contraceptive indication in the first year of use. IMPLICATIONS: Adolescents and young adults may seek the hormonal IUD for contraception and/or menstrual management. Our study found that IUD continuation rates were high at 1 year regardless of the indication for utilization.

Telemedicine for Adolescent and Young Adult Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Post-insertion Visits: Outcomes over 1 Year.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Telemedicine for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) care is understudied given the rapid implementation of these services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We compared outcomes over 1 year of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) attending a LARC post-insertion visit via telemedicine vs in person. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Four academic adolescent medicine clinics in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: AYAs (ages 13-26 years) who received LARC between 4/1/20 and 3/1/21 and attended a post-insertion visit within 12 weeks. INTERVENTIONS: none. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes over 1 year were compared between AYAs who completed this visit via telemedicine vs in person. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and regression models. RESULTS: Of 194 AYAs (ages 13.9-25.7 years) attending a post-insertion visit, 40.2% utilized telemedicine. Menstrual management (odds ratio (OR) = 1.02; confidence interval (CI): 0.40-2.60), acne management (P = .28), number of visits attended (relative risk (RR) = 1.08; CI: 0.99-1.19), and LARC removal (P = .95) were similar between groups. AYAs attending via telemedicine were less likely than those attending in person to have STI testing (P = .001). Intrauterine device expulsion or malposition and arm symptoms with implant in situ were rare outcomes in both groups. CONCLUSION: Roughly 40% of AYAs attended a post-insertion visit via telemedicine during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and had similar 1-year outcomes as those attending in person. The decreased likelihood of STI testing for those using telemedicine highlights the need to provide alternative options, when indicated, such as asynchronous or home testing. Our results support the use of telemedicine for AYA LARC post-insertion care and identify potential gaps in telemedicine care which can help improve clinic protocols.

Laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis and anti-Müllerian hormone levels: Findings from the Nurses' Health Study II.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-Müllerian hormone is a reliable measure of ovarian reserve associated with menopause timing and fertility. Previous studies have observed that individuals with endometriosis have lower anti-Müllerian hormone levels than those without. However, sample sizes have been small and information is limited regarding the long-term influence of endometriosis on anti-Müllerian hormone levels among the general population, which may have important implications for menopause timing and chronic disease risk. METHODS: Among 1961 premenopausal women in the Nurses' Health Study II who provided a blood sample and had not been pregnant in the last 6 months, we used generalized linear models to determine the association between laparoscopically-confirmed endometriosis and log-transformed plasma anti-Müllerian hormone level, adjusted for age (continuous and squared) and other potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Participants were on average 40 years old (interquartile range 37-42 years) at blood draw. Women with endometriosis diagnosed prior to blood draw (n = 119) had a lower mean anti-Müllerian hormone level (1.6 ng/mL [SD = 2.3]) than women without known endometriosis (n = 1842) (2.8 ng/mL [SD = 3.0]). In multivariable adjusted models, women with endometriosis had 29.6 % lower anti-Müllerian hormone levels (95 % CI: -45.4, -9.2 %) than women without. This association was greater among women with a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more (percent difference: -44.0 % (-63.7, -13.8)), compared to those with a body mass index of under 25 kg/m2 (percent difference: -19.8 % (-41.7, 10.4)), but did not vary by parity or infertility history. CONCLUSIONS: Lower anti-Müllerian hormone levels in women with endometriosis may be one mechanism through which endometriosis influences risk of infertility, younger age at menopause, and cardiovascular disease.

Subgroups of pelvic pain are differentially associated with endometriosis and inflammatory comorbidities: a latent class analysis.

ABSTRACT: Chronic pelvic pain is heterogeneous with potentially clinically informative subgroups. We aimed to identify subgroups of pelvic pain based on symptom patterns and investigate their associations with inflammatory and chronic pain-related comorbidities. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified subgroups of participants (n = 1255) from the Adolescence to Adulthood (A2A) cohort. Six participant characteristics were included in the LCA: severity, frequency, and impact on daily activities of both menstruation-associated (cyclic) and non-menstruation-associated (acyclic) pelvic pain. Three-step LCA quantified associations between LC subgroups, demographic and clinical variables, and 18 comorbidities (10 with prevalence ≥10%). Five subgroups were identified: none or minimal (23%), moderate cyclic only (28%), severe cyclic only (20%), moderate or severe acyclic plus moderate cyclic (9%), and severe acyclic plus severe cyclic (21%). Endometriosis prevalence within these 5 LCA-pelvic pain-defined subgroups ranged in size from 4% in "none or minimal pelvic pain" to 24%, 72%, 70%, and 94%, respectively, in the 4 pain subgroups, with statistically significant odds of membership only for the latter 3 subgroups. Migraines were associated with significant odds of membership in all 4 pelvic pain subgroups relative to those with no pelvic pain (adjusted odds ratios = 2.92-7.78), whereas back, joint, or leg pain each had significantly greater odds of membership in the latter 3 subgroups. Asthma or allergies had three times the odds of membership in the most severe pain group. Subgroups with elevated levels of cyclic or acyclic pain are associated with greater frequency of chronic overlapping pain conditions, suggesting an important role for central inflammatory and immunological mechanisms.

Associations between nutritional intake, stress and hunger biomarkers, and anxiety and depression during the treatment of anorexia nervosa in adolescents and young adults.

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with anorexia nervosa (AN) frequently have co-occurring anxiety and depression, which can negatively impact prognosis. To inform treatment of co-occurring anxiety and depression, we assessed the association of nutritional intake and hunger/stress hormones on anxiety and depression using a six-month longitudinal study of 50 AYA females receiving care for AN. At baseline and six months, we measured anxiety (Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), body mass index (BMI), 3-day dietary intake (total calories and proportion of fat, carbohydrate, protein), and serum cortisol, leptin, and adiponectin. We performed mixed effects linear regression analyses, adjusting for age, duration of AN, and percentage of median BMI (%mBMI). At baseline, median age was 16.3 (interquartile range [IQR]=2.5) years, duration of AN was 6 (IQR=8.8) months and %mBMI was 87.2 (IQR=10.5)%. Fifty-six percent had clinically significant anxiety; 30% had depression. Over 6 months, participants had significant improvements in %mBMI (+2.2[IQR=9.2]%, p<.01), STAI (-9.0[IQR=25.0], p<.01), and BDI (-5.0[IQR=13.8], p<.01) scores. Participants with larger improvements in caloric intake had greater improvements in STAI (p=.03) and BDI scores (p=.04). Larger improvement in BDI was significantly associated with increased fat intake (p<.01), but not carbohydrate or protein intake. Change in STAI was not associated with changes in fat, carbohydrate, or protein intake. Changes in STAI or BDI scores were not associated with changes in cortisol, leptin, or adiponectin. Increased caloric intake may augment treatment of co-occurring anxiety and depression, and increased fat intake may improve depression for AYA with AN.

Differences in characteristics and use of complementary and alternative methods for coping with endometriosis-associated acyclic pelvic pain across adolescence and adulthood.

Introduction: Over four million women in the US alone have been diagnosed with endometriosis. For those living with this disease, surgery and hormonal treatment reduce associated pelvic pain in some, while others continue to experience life impacting pain. Therefore, identification of accessible and cost-effective methods of pain reduction to compliment current treatment is urgently needed. Our objective was to quantify the prevalence of complementary and alternative methods used to manage acyclic pelvic pain and their reported benefit among women of different age groups living with endometriosis. Methods: We used baseline questionnaire data from laparoscopically-confirmed endometriosis cases who completed a WERF EPHect compliant questionnaire in the longitudinal cohort of The Women's Health Study: From Adolescence to Adulthood (A2A). Participants with acyclic pelvic pain were asked to indicate specific methods or activities that either helped or worsened their pelvic/lower abdominal pain. Differences among age groups [adolescent (<18 years), young adult (18-25 years), and adult (>25 years)] were assessed using Fisher's exact test. Results: Of the 357 participants included in analysis, sleep for coping was reported more frequently among adolescents (n = 59, 57.3%) compared to young adults (n = 40, 44.0%) and adults (n = 19, 31.1%; p = 0.004). Adolescents also reported more frequent use of music (n = 29, 21.2%) than young adults (n = 10, 7.0%) and adults (n = 7, 9.1%; p = 0.001). Exercise worsened pain most commonly among adolescents (n = 82, 59.9%), followed by younger adults (n = 67, 46.9%), and adults (n = 27, 35.1%; p = 0.002). Discussion: Our analysis of participants in the A2A cohort showed that the prevalence of complementary and alternative methods used for coping with endometriosis-associated acyclic pelvic pain varied by age group. Future studies should aim to provide information that will further inform decisions in making care plans for managing endometriosis-associated pain that is effective, accessible, and tailored to the preferences of the patient.