To My Patients,

I am pleased to announce that this year we will be sending monthly E-Newsletters to our subscribers. This month the topic is Contraceptive Updates. As the year progresses, I will be forwarding articles that I hope you find informative and useful for your continued good health.

CONTRACEPTIVE UPDATES 

In spite of effective and approved birth control methods that are available today, 50% of all pregnancies are unintended.
 

          Contraceptive efficacy varies per method:

                    Unprotected intercourse – 85 of couples will

                    conceive within one year

Condom – 12% failure rate

Spermicides – 26%

Oral contraceptives – 8%

Depo Provera – 3%

IUD - <1%

          New contraceptives include:

                    Implanon – Single implant protects for five years

                    Mirena – Progesterone releasing IUD with very low

                    failure rate.  After six months, average day of

                    bleeding per month is one day and after 12 months

                    no bleeding with only some spotting

                    Ortho-Evra – transdermal patch.  Same failure

                    rate as the pill but better compliance rate.

                    Not recommended for women who weigh over 198 lbs.

                    Nuva-Ring – Vaginal ring inserted once per month.

                    Efficacy not affected by vaginal yeast

                    medications, spermicides, or tampons.

                    Plan B – emergency contraception that can be

                    taken up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse.

                    May be approved for over the counter use.

Seasonale – allows for 4 menstrual cycles  annually. Slightly higher risk for breakthrough bleeding.

CycleBeads – colored coded string of beads

Representing days of woman’s cycle.  Intended

For women who want to implement a natural

Method immediately.

Of course, permanent sterilization either as a vasectomy for a male and a tubal ligation for a woman are still popular options.  Most studies indicate that women who plan for pregnancy live a better lifestyle.

If contraception is a concern for you, please call our office for a consultation.  To read previous E-News on the following topics, visit my website's E-News Index.

Randy Birken, MD
www.gynfo.com