Which Hormones and Contraception for Women with APS? Exogenous Hormone Use in Women with APS.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Use of exogenous estrogen carries significant risk for patients with prothrombotic disorders including those with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This review summarizes current knowledge of contraceptive and other hormone therapies for aPL-positive and APS women and highlights knowledge gaps to guide future research. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies support very low risk for most progestin-only contraceptives in patients with increased thrombotic risk, but suggest increased VTE risk with depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate. Highest efficacy contraceptives are intrauterine devices and subdermal implants, and these are recommended for women with aPL/APS. Progestin-only pills are effective and low risk. Perimenopausal symptoms may be treated with nonhormone therapies in aPL/APS patients: vasomotor symptoms can improve with nonhormonal medications and cognitive behavioral therapy, and genitourinary symptoms often improve with intravaginal estrogen that has limited systemic absorption.

Determinants of long acting contraceptive utilization among HIV positive reproductive age women attending care at art clinics of public health facilities in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2019: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Long acting and permanent contraceptive methods by far are the most effective, very safe and convenient methods than short acting contraceptive methods. But in less developed countries, use of long acting reversible contraceptive or permanent methods (LARCs/PMs) is very low. Therefore the aim of this study was to identify determinants of long acting contraceptive method utilization among HIV positive reproductive age women. METHODS: An institutional based case control study was conducted among random sample of 354 HIV positive reproductive age women (total of 97.8% response rate) at Anti-Retroviral Therapy clinics from February 20 to March 20, 2019. Case to control ratio was 1:2. A structured questionnaire and information recorded from ART card review were used to collect the data. Each variable was entered in Bivariate analysis with dependent variables and those variables with P-value of ≤ 0.25 were included in the Multivariate analysis. Significance was determined at the level of P-value < 0.05 with 95% CI of AOR. RESULTS: A total of 354 (33.3% cases and 66.7% controls) HIV positive reproductive age women were interviewed with response rate of 97.8%. The study revealed being in age group of 39 and above [AOR = 0.17, 95% CI (0.06, 0.48)], being divorced/separated and widowed [AOR = 0.05, 95% CI (0.003, 0.61)], having supportive opinion and strongly supportive opinion regarding family planning service availability in ART clinic [AOR = 5.01, 95% CI (1.79, 14.07)], [AOR = 7.81, 95% CI (2.54, 24.01)] and having no future fertility intention [AOR = 7.03, 95% CI (2.73, 18.06)] were statistically significant determinants for long acting contraceptive method utilization. CONCLUSION: Woman in age group of 39 and above, having no future fertility intention and being divorced/separated and widowed was found to be determinants of long acting contraceptive method utilization among HIV positive reproductive age women. In addition our study support the WHO Strategic Considerations for Strengthening the Linkages between Family Planning and HIV/AIDS Policies, Programs, and Services.

Women's attitudes and beliefs towards specific contraceptive methods in Bangladesh and Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Missing from the huge literature on women's attitudes and beliefs concerning specific contraceptive methods is any detailed quantitative documentation for all major methods in low- and middle-income countries. The objectives are to provide such a documentation for women living in Matlab (rural Bangladesh), Nairobi slums and Homa Bay (rural Kenya) and to compare the opinions and beliefs of current, past and never users towards the three most commonly used methods (oral contraceptives, injectables and implants). METHODS: In each site, 2424 to 2812 married women aged 15-39 years were interviewed on reproduction, fertility preferences, contraceptive knowledge and use, attitudes and beliefs towards family planning in general and specific methods. We analysed the data from round one of the prospective cohort study. RESULTS: While current users typically expressed satisfaction and held more positive beliefs about their method than past or never users, nevertheless appreciable minorities of current users thought the method might pose serious damage to health, might impair fertility and was unsafe for prolonged use without taking a break. Larger proportions, typically between 25% and 50%, associated their method with unpleasant side effects. Past users of pills and injectables outnumbered current users and their beliefs were similar to those of never users. In all three sites, about half of past injectable users reported satisfaction with the method and the satisfaction of past implant users was lower. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of contraceptive use can clearly co-exist with widespread misgivings about methods, even those that are widely used. Serious concerns about damage to health, long term fertility impairment, and dangers of prolonged use without taking a break were particularly common in the Kenyan sites and these beliefs may explain the high levels of discontinuation observed in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa. This documentation of beliefs provides useful guidance for counselling and informational campaigns. The generally negative views of past users imply that programmes may need not only to improve individual counselling but also strengthen community information campaign to change the overall climate of opinion which may have been influenced by dissatisfaction among past users.

[Effect of combined hormonal oral contraception on the somatic and psychic status of women of reproductive age].

The paper is devoted to the topical problem of maintaining somatic and psychic health of the women of reproductive age by rational pregnancy planning and prevention of abortions by modern methods of contraception including combined oral hormonal contraception. Unfortunately, this approach is rarely employed in this country (5-6%). Results of retrospective analysis of medical documentation, clinical efficacy and safety of modern combined oral hormonal contraception are presented.

Pregnancy resumption following contraceptive discontinuation: Hazard survival analysis of the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey Data 2007, 2012 and 2017.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to estimate the probability of pregnancy resumption after discontinuing reversible contraceptives-pills, injectables, implants and IUDs, and to examine the factors associated with the resumption of fertility. METHOD: The study uses pregnancy calendar data from Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys (IDHS) of 2007, 2012 and 2017. A hazard model survival method is used for estimating the time needed to resume pregnancy since discontinuing reversible contraceptives. Retrospective data on 4,573; 5,183 and 5,989 episodes of reversible contraceptive discontinuation at the three surveys respectively have been analysed. RESULTS: This study shows that women regained fecundity within one year of discontinuing IUD, pill, injectables or implants. Women using IUD could resume their pregnancy faster than those using implants, pills and injectables. Over the three IDHS 2007, 2012 and 2017 the age-specific percentages of women becoming pregnant after one year of contraceptive discontinuation vary between 72 and 85 for IUD, 75 and 81 for pills, 72 and 76 for implants and 64 and 67 for injectables, with the percentages being higher among younger women. The analysis further shows that length of contraceptive use, parity, prior sexually transmitted infections, knowledge of fertile period, household wealth status and place of residence have no impact on occurrence of pregnancy after contraceptive discontinuation. CONCLUSION: The analysis disproves a myth that reversible contraceptives make women infertile. Depending on the type of reversible contraceptive used, 65% to 85% of the women were able to conceive after one year of discontinuation.

Satisfaction and discontinuation of contraception by contraceptive method among university women.

This study examined the association between contraceptive method and satisfaction and discontinuation. Few studies have examined these issues in the university setting and how they may potentially impact unintended pregnancy rates. This study examined data from 172 college women aged 18-36 years enrolled in the Study on Contraceptive Knowledge in Students, a cross-sectional study conducted at a large, public university. Logistic regression was used to model the association between current type of contraceptive method used (non-coital dependent vs. coital dependent) and satisfaction as well as previous type of contraceptive method used and discontinuation of that method. Nearly 80% of contracepting women currently used a non-coital dependent method. After adjustment for age, race, and location where contraception was obtained, current non-coital dependent users were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their contraceptive method compared to women using coital dependent methods (OR = 4.73, 95% CI: 1.64, 13.63). After adjustment for age, race, and history of pregnancy, women who used non-coital dependent methods of contraception were 91% less likely to have discontinued their method compared to women who used coital dependent methods (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.20). Healthcare workers and public health professionals can counsel women on using contraceptive methods that best suit their needs. By doing so, patient satisfaction and consistent contraceptive use may improve and lead to a decrease in unintended pregnancies.

Method-specific beliefs and subsequent contraceptive method choice: Results from a longitudinal study in urban and rural Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, shows that negative beliefs about contraceptive methods are associated with non-use. However, little is known about the relationship between contraceptive beliefs and subsequent method choice. METHODOLOGY: We used data from a two-year longitudinal survey of married women aged 15-39 years at enrollment from one urban site (Nairobi) and one rural site (Homa Bay) in Kenya. Analysis entails descriptive statistics and estimation of a conditional logit analysis to examine associations between method-specific beliefs and choice of injectables, implants or pills among women who were not using any method or were pregnant at baseline (round 1) but adopted these methods at 12-month follow-up (Nairobi, n = 221; Homa Bay n = 197). RESULTS: Beliefs about pills, injectables and implants among non-users were generally negative. With the partial exception of the pill in Nairobi, the majority thought that each method was likely to cause serious health problems, unpleasant side effects, menstrual disruption, and would be unsafe for long-term use. In both sites, satisfied past use of a method and the perception that a method is easy to use had a major influence on method choice. Concerns about menstrual disruption and safety for long-term use were unimportant in both sites. There were some marked differences between the two sites. Beliefs about long-term fertility impairment and perceived husband approval had strong influences on choice of injectables, implants or pills in the urban site but not in the rural site. CONCLUSION: The relative importance of beliefs, some erroneous, in predisposing women to choose one method over another appears to be conditioned by the social context. There is need for family planning counseling programmes to pay attention to erroneous beliefs and misconceptions about contraceptives.

Influence of Contraception Class on Incidence and Severity of Acne Vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of different contraceptive methods on the incidence and severity of acne. METHODS: Using a de-identified commercial claims database, we performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating the incidence of clinical encounters for acne in the first year after initiation of contraception among female patients aged 12-40 years who were new contraceptive users. To evaluate the association of contraception class with acne severity, a subgroup analysis was performed among a cohort of patients with a history of acne examining the incidence of treatment escalation from topical acne medications to an oral tetracycline-class antibiotic in the year after initiation of contraception. RESULTS: Among new contraceptive users with no history of acne (N=336,738), compared with combined oral contraceptives (OCs), the copper intrauterine device (IUD) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.14; 95% CI 1.01-1.29) and levonorgestrel IUDs (HR 1.09; 95% CI 1.03-1.16) were associated with increased risk of clinical encounters with acne. Among those with a history of acne (n=21,178), compared with combined OCs, the copper IUD (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.00-2.06) and levonorgestrel IUDs (HR 1.34; 95% CI 1.10-1.64) were associated with increased risk of treatment escalation from topical acne medications to an oral tetracycline class antibiotic. CONCLUSION: Combined OCs appear to be associated with a modest (or small) protective effect with respect to incident acne and treatment escalation compared with other contraceptive methods. However, absolute differences between contraceptive methods were small.

From research to practice: dissemination of the Contraceptive CHOICE Project.

Unintended pregnancy is a public health problem with societal consequences. The Contraceptive CHOICE Project (CHOICE) demonstrated a reduction in teen pregnancy and abortion by removing barriers to effective contraception. The purpose of the study was to describe the dissemination approach used to create awareness of and promote desire to adopt the CHOICE model among selected audiences. We used a 4-stage approach and detail the work completed in the first 2 stages. We describe stakeholder involvement in the first stage and the process of undertaking core strategies in the second stage. We examine insights gained throughout the process. Through our dissemination approach, we reached an estimated 300,000 targeted individuals, not including the population reached through media. We were contacted by 141 entities for technical assistance. The completion and reporting of dissemination processes is an important component of research. There is a need to fully document and disseminate strategies that can help facilitate practice change.

Moving towards the goals of FP2020 - classifying contraceptives.

With the renewed focus on family planning, a clear and transparent understanding is needed for the consistent classification of contraceptives, especially in the commonly used modern/traditional system. The World Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) therefore convened a technical consultation in January 2015 to address issues related to classifying contraceptives. The consultation defined modern contraceptive methods as having a sound basis in reproductive biology, a precise protocol for correct use and evidence of efficacy under various conditions based on appropriately designed studies. Methods in country programs like Fertility Awareness Based Methods [such as Standard Days Method (SDM) and TwoDay Method], Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and emergency contraception should be reported as modern. Herbs, charms and vaginal douching are not counted as contraceptive methods as they have no scientific basis in preventing pregnancy nor are in country programs. More research is needed on defining and measuring use of emergency contraceptive methods, to reflect their contribution to reducing unmet need. The ideal contraceptive classification system should be simple, easy to use, clear and consistent, with greater parsimony. Measurement challenges remain but should not be the driving force to determine what methods are counted or reported as modern or not. Family planning programs should consider multiple attributes of contraceptive methods (e.g., level of effectiveness, need for program support, duration of labeled use, hormonal or nonhormonal) to ensure they provide a variety of methods to meet the needs of women and men.

Prevalence of contraceptive use in New Zealand women.

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of contraceptive use among New Zealand women and to measure changes in contraceptive use since the last population-based prevalence estimates were published in 1988. METHODS: Nine hundred and four women, aged 35-69 years were randomly selected from the electoral roll. A postal questionnaire was used to gather information on contraceptive use, socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for ovarian cancer. Data were collected in 2013-2015. Estimates of current and ever-use of contraceptives were made and compared with the findings of the 1988 study by Paul et al. In both studies, participants were members of the control arm of case-control studies. RESULTS: The study by Paul et al had a response proportion of 84%, whereas that of the current study was 47%. Oral contraceptives had the highest prevalence of ever-use among women aged 35-69 years (89% [347/389]), followed by condom use (54% [211/389]) and vasectomy (44% [170/389]). Compared to the previous study, there has been an increase in ever-use of condoms (24% [185/767] to 64% [148/231]), vasectomy (26% [202/767] to 40% [92/231]) and oral contraceptives (75% [575/767] to 89% [205/231]) among women aged 35-54 years. In contrast, a lower prevalence of tubal ligation (22% [168/767] to 8% [19/231]) was observed. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a change in patterns of contraceptive use among women aged 35-54 years. The prevalence of ever-use of oral contraceptives and vasectomy remains high in New Zealand compared with other countries.

Contraception usage and timing of pregnancy among pregnant teenagers in Cape Town, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate knowledge and use of contraception among pregnant teenagers in the Cape Town metropolitan area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled women aged 16 to 19 years who were pregnant and attending prenatal clinics, and prenatal and labor wards at regional hospitals and midwife-run obstetric clinics in the Cape Town area between March 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011. Data were collected using an administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The study enrolled 314 participants. Of the participants, 240 (76.4%) felt their pregnancies had occurred at the "wrong time" but only 38 (12.1%) were using contraception at the time of conception. The form of contraception that participants most commonly had knowledge of was injectable hormonal contraception (274 [87.3%]). Contraception use was low, with 126 (40.1%) participants having never used contraception. The forms of contraception used most commonly were the male condom (106 [33.8%]) and injectable contraception (98 [31.2%]). The majority of participants found it easy to get contraception (192 [61.1%]) and felt that information regarding contraception was readily available (233 [74.2%]). CONCLUSION: Contraception use is suboptimal but this may not simply be a reflection of ineffective family-planning services. Further research is needed to fully explain the lack of contraceptive use in this population.

Reproductive health care and family planning among women in Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: To describe findings from a validated survey examining access to care, contraceptive needs, access to surgical care, menstruation-related healthcare needs, and barriers to receiving reproductive health care in Nepal. METHODS: An analysis was undertaken using data obtained through a two-part population-based, cross-sectional, cluster-randomized survey corroborated by a visual physical examination performed nationwide between May 25 and June 12, 2014. Women aged 12-50years were included. The odds of delivering exclusively in a health facility, having a cesarean delivery, and using contraception were modeled using logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 876 female interviewees were of reproductive age (12-50years). Only 237 (27.1%) women were using contraception. Maternal education was the strongest predictor of delivering exclusively in a healthcare facility (odds ratio [OR] 7.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.48-12.79; P<0.001). The odds of having a cesarean delivery were doubled by urban living (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.09-4.13; P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, a predictor of using contraception was a history of having given birth (OR 9.61, 95% CI 4.62-20.01; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In Nepal, reproductive healthcare disparities for women are manifold. Education for women appears to be a significant determinant of accessing reproductive health care.

Evidence from cluster surveys on the association between home-based counseling and use of family planning in conflict-affected Darfur.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between home counseling and awareness and use of modern family planning (FP) methods among women in internally displaced person (IDP) camps in conflict-affected West Darfur, Sudan. METHODS: In a community-based cross-sectional study, two questionnaire-based surveys were performed in three camps. Home-based counseling had been introduced in March 2006. An initial survey (February 2007) and a follow-up survey (April 2009) targeted women of child-bearing age. A sample of 640 randomly selected women aged 15-49 years who had experienced pregnancy after joining the camp were interviewed for each survey. RESULTS: Overall, modern FP use increased from 10.9% (70/640) in 2007 to 21.6% (138/640) in 2009 (P<0.001). As compared with the initial survey, women in the follow-up survey were more likely to be aware of and to use any modern FP method (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9-7.4; and aOR 2.8, 95% CI 2.0-4.1, respectively). Contraceptive pills were the most common modern method used. Home counseling and loss of a child under 5years were the most significant predictors of awareness and use of modern FP methods. CONCLUSION: After the introduction of home-based FP counseling for couples and FP services in clinics, women's awareness and use of modern FP methods increased in a conflict-affected setting.

[Reasons why sterilized women refused reversive contraceptive methods]. / Motivos de rejeição aos métodos contraceptivos reversíveis em mulheres esterilizadas.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the representations of contraceptive methods within a group of sterilized women, aiming at understanding the reasons why they refused those methods. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was carried out on 31 sterilized women, randomly selected from a list of patients attending the Family Planning Program of a university hospital. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview. Interview transcription was analyzed according to the Content Analysis method. RESULTS: Refusal to other contraceptive methods was based on representations formed from a mixture of technical information received at health service units, their previous experiences with contraceptive methods and information received in the social environment. Rejection of high efficacy methods (hormonal and IUD) was mostly based on their low innocuousness; refusal to fertility awareness methods (calendar calculation, Billings ovulation method) was due to their low efficacy; and rejection of barrier methods (condom, diaphragm) was due to a culturally patterned sexuality full of interdictions as well as to their low efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The option for female sterilization may be indicative of the refusal to the contraceptive alternatives offered by health services. Reproductive health professionals should increase in their practice the knowledge about personal, socio-economic and cultural factors that affect women's choice of a contraceptive method that could guarantee a better control over their own reproductive life.

[Use of oral contraceptives in the years 1994-2002: different but not less]. / Gebruik van orale anticonceptiva in de jaren 1994-2002: wel anders, niet minder.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of contraceptives among women aged 10-59, particularly in relation to the type of oral contraceptives (OCs) among starting users and women already using OCs. DESIGN: Descriptive. METHOD: Data on the use of medication in the period 1994-2002 by women in the age range 10-59 years were selected from the Interaction Database of North and East Netherlands. The study population was 33,795 women in 1994 and 102,894 in 2002. Cross-sectional studies were performed of prevalent and incident OC users per year and the contribution of the various types of OC was measured. RESULTS: The use of contraceptives among women aged 10-59 years has remained fairly constant since 1994, being about 33%. However, Dutch women started using OCs at an increasingly younger age: 47% of the 15-19-year-olds in 2002 compared with 35% in 1994. The use of third-generation OCs among young starting OC-users (10-19 years of age) in 2002 was very low (3.5% of all OCs). Among women who already used OCs, the switch from third- to second-generation OCs was less pronounced. In 2002, 23% of all OC-users used third-generation preparations compared with 46.5% in 1994. The proportion using cyproteron-ethinylestradiol increased slightly over the years. CONCLUSION: After 1994, mainly second-generation OCs have been prescribed. The switch from third- to second-generation OCs was especially marked among the young starting users. The use of cyproteron-ethinylestradiol increased slightly during the years.

Effect of previous induced abortions on postabortion contraception selection.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare contraceptive method selection in women undergoing their first pregnancy termination versus women undergoing repeat pregnancy termination in an urban abortion clinic. We hypothesized that women undergoing repeat abortions will select highly effective contraceptives (intrauterine device, subdermal implant, tubal ligation) more often than patients undergoing their first abortion. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all women undergoing first-trimester surgical abortion at John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County from October 1, 2009, to October 31, 2011. We compared contraceptive method selection in the postabortion period after receipt of contraceptive counseling for 7466 women, stratifying women by history of no prior abortion versus one or more abortions. RESULTS: Of the 7466 women, 48.6% (3625) had no history of previous abortion. After controlling for age, race and number of living children, women with a history of abortion were more likely to select a highly effective method [odds ratio (OR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.33]. Most significantly, having living children was the strongest predictor of a highly effective method with an OR of 3.17 (95% CI 2.69-3.75). CONCLUSIONS: In women having a first-trimester abortion, the factors most predictive of selecting a highly effective method for postabortion contraception include history of previous abortion and having living children. The latter holds true independent of abortion history. IMPLICATIONS: This paper is unique in its ability to demonstrate the high interest in highly effective contraceptive selection in high-risk, low-income women with prior abortion history. Efforts to integrate provision of highly effective methods of contraception for postabortion care are essential for the reduction of future unintended pregnancies.

Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: The Contraceptive CHOICE Project in Review.

The Contraceptive CHOICE Project (CHOICE) sought to reduce unintended pregnancies in the St. Louis Region by removing cost, education, and access barriers to highly effective contraception. CHOICE was a prospective cohort study of over 9,000 women 14-45 years of age who received tiered contraceptive counseling to increase awareness of all reversible methods available, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods. Participants were provided with contraception of their choice at no cost for 2-3 years. We studied contraceptive method choice, continuation, and population outcomes of repeat abortion and teen pregnancy. Seventy-five percent of study participants chose one of the three LARC methods (46% levonorgestrel intrauterine system, 12% copper intrauterine device, and 17% subdermal implant). LARC users reported greater continuation than non-LARC users at 12 months (87% versus 57%) and 24 months (77% versus 41%). In our cohort, LARC methods were 20 times more effective than non-LARC methods. As a result, we observed a reduction in the percent of repeat abortions from 2006 to 2010 in St. Louis compared with Kansas City and nonmetropolitan Missouri and found substantial reductions in teen pregnancy, birth, and abortion (34.0, 19.4, and 9.7 per 1000 teens, respectively) compared with national rates among sexually experienced teens (158.5, 94.0, and 41.5 per 1000, respectively). Improved access to LARC methods can result in fewer unintended pregnancies and abortions and considerable cost savings to the health care system.

Differential impact of antiepileptic drugs on the effects of contraceptive methods on seizures: Interim findings of the epilepsy birth control registry.

PURPOSE: To present the interim findings of the Epilepsy Birth Control Registry (EBCR) regarding the impact of various contraceptive methods on seizures, stratified by antiepileptic drug (AED) type. METHODS: This is an observational study that reports interim findings on the first 750 subjects. RESULTS: There are significantly greater relative risks (RR) for both seizure increase and decrease with hormonal contraception (HC) than with non-hormonal contraception (NHC). The rates of HC experiences associated with seizure increase (21.0%) are greater than with NHC (3.9%) (RR=5.39 [95% CI=3.77-7.73, p<0.0001]). The rates of HC experiences associated with seizure decrease (10.3%) are greater than with NHC (5.6%) (RR=1.85 [95% CI=1.30-2.62, p=0.0006]). While differences can reflect biological effects or reporting bias, the finding of a greater RR for seizure increase with hormonal patch than with combined oral contraceptive, perhaps related to the delivery of substantially higher concentrations of hormones, and a greater RR for seizure decrease with depomedroxyprogesterone, known to reduce seizure frequency when used in dosages which produce amenorrhea, support biological effects. All AED categories showed significantly higher frequencies of reports of seizure increase when combined with HC than with NHC. RR for seizure increase with HC was higher with valproate than with any other AED category. There were no significant differences among AEDs for seizure decrease with HC at this juncture of the study. Overall, NEIAEDs had the most favorable profile with regard to reports of seizure increase and decrease when used with HC. CONCLUSIONS: Interim EBCR findings suggest that contraception category and interactions between contraception category and AED category are predictive factors for changes in seizure frequency in WWE.

Modelling dissimilarity: generalizing ultrametric and additive tree representations.

Methods for the hierarchical clustering of an object set produce a sequence of nested partitions such that object classes within each successive partition are constructed from the union of object classes present at the previous level. Any such sequence of nested partitions can in turn be characterized by an ultrametric. An approach to generalizing an (ultrametric) representation is proposed in which the nested character of the partition sequence is relaxed and replaced by the weaker requirement that the classes within each partition contain objects consecutive with respect to a fixed ordering of the objects. A method for fitting such a structure to a given proximity matrix is discussed, along with several alternative strategies for graphical representation. Using this same ultrametric extension, additive tree representations can also be generalized by replacing the ultrametric component in the decomposition of an additive tree (into an ultrametric and a centroid metric). A common numerical illustration is developed and maintained throughout the paper.