Given the growing number of reproductive-aged individuals with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 the impact that weight might have on hormonal contraceptive efficacy is important for public health as well as for personal health. Although it does appear that obesity adversely affects contraceptive steroid hormone pharmacokinetics (e.g., drug levels and how drugs are metabolized), the literature has been conflicting regarding the impact on effectiveness. Shaalini Ramanadhan, MD, MCR, and Alison Edelman, MD, MPH, explored the issue for the 22nd edition of Contraceptive Technology. Read more…

During perimenopause, undesired pregnancies occur at ratios similar to or even higher than younger age groups, and almost half of these pregnancies will be terminated. In the United States, roughly one-third of pregnancies occurring in the 40- to 45-year age cohort are unintended. However, perimenopausal women may use contraception less consistently than younger women, possibly due to a lower perceived risk of pregnancy. Clinicians should continue to offer pregnancy prevention counseling and services to patients until…Read more…

The new 2024 US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (MEC) and the US Selected Practice Guidelines (SPR) were both just released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each brings new recommendations and updates to previous recommendations. The new MEC brings in new contraceptive methods, new doses or formulations of the contraceptive stand-by’s of pills, patches, rings, IUDs. Key revisions include recommendations for chronic kidney disease, breastfeeding, postpartum, postabortion, obesity, major surgery, deep venous thromboses and pulmonary embolism, thrombophilia Read more..