Birth Control Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Birth Control, including details on methods, ethics, religion, condoms, the pill.

Availability of emergency contraception after its deregulation from prescription-only status: a survey of Ontario pharmacies.

Dunn S, Brown TE, Alldred J

In 2005 the emergency contraception formulation of levonorgestrel (Plan B) became available in Ontario pharmacies without a prescription. We surveyed 239 pharmacies 1 month before the regulatory change and 14-17 months after the change to determine whether availability of the drug increased. The response rates were 79% and 70% before and after the change in status. The proportion of pharmacies that had an in-stock supply of Plan B increased from 78% to 92% (p < 0.001). After the regulatory change, 87% of the surveyed pharmacies (95% confidence interval 82%-92%) reported that they had the drug in stock and were willing to dispense it behind the counter. Availability was similar for urban and rural pharmacies, but rural pharmacies had more restricted hours (e.g., 15% closed on weekends). Thus, as a result of the regulatory change, emergency contraception is more widely available, but access in rural areas is still limited by restricted pharmacy hours.

Published 12 February 2008 in CMAJ, 178(4): 423-4.
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Articles on Birth Control published 14 January 2008:

Infertility surgery is dead: only the obituary remains?   Fertil Steril, 89(1): 232-6.

Despite the multiple advantages of assisted reproductive technology compared with surgery, there remain several diagnoses for which surgery is still widely performed: distal tubal occlusion, regret of permanent sterilization, and endometriosis. Assisted reproductive technology is superior to surgery and should be offered as first-line treatment. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Immunocontraceptive properties of recombinant sperm protein DE: implications for the development of novel contraceptives.   Fertil Steril, 89(1): 199-205.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunocontraceptive properties of recombinant DE, a sperm epididymal protein involved in fertilization, via an experimental study in rats as a critical step toward the development of a human immunocontraceptive. DESIGN: In vivo study in rats. SETTING: Animal care facility of an academic research center. ANIMAL(S): Seventy-four 90-day-old Wistar male and female rats distributed into three groups. INTERVENTION(S): Animals received five injections (intramuscular and ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Birth Control published 31 December 2007:

Emergency contraception: a reasonable personal choice or a destructive societal influence?   Clin Pharmacol Ther, 83(1): 17-9.

A 2003 petition to the US Food and Drug Administration by the manufacturer to move levonorgestrel emergency contraception from prescription status to over-the-counter sale embroiled the Agency in politics and remains controversial in some circles. This essay addresses the current remaining main points of contoversy about the medication and the Agency's decision. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Emergency contraception update: a Canadian perspective.   Clin Pharmacol Ther, 83(1): 177-80.

Barriers to hormonal emergency contraceptive (EC) access in Canada and the United States led professional and lay groups to lobby for levonorgestrel (LNG) (PLAN B, Barr Pharmaceuticals, Pomona, New York) to be made available over-the-counter. In December 2000, British Columbia, Canada, granted EC prescriptive authority to pharmacists, followed by Quebec in December 2001 and Saskatchewan in September 2003. In April 2005, Health Canada placed LNG on non-prescription, behind-the-pharmacy-counter ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Birth Control published 22 November 2007:

Student pharmacist knowledge and attitudes regarding oral emergency contraception.   J Am Pharm Assoc (2003), 47(6): 711-6.

OBJECTIVES: To describe student pharmacist knowledge and attitudes regarding oral emergency contraceptives (OECs) and identify factors affecting student pharmacists' knowledge of and attitudes toward OECs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: United States, May through June 2006. PARTICIPANTS: Students enrolled in a U.S. school/college of pharmacy with an American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists chapter. INTERVENTION: 33-item electronic survey containing 9 questions ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Pharmacy access to emergency contraception: Perspectives of pharmacists at a chain pharmacy in San Francisco.   J Am Pharm Assoc (2003), 47(6): 702-10.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pharmacists' perception of their role in dispensing emergency contraception (EC) in San Francisco. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community chain pharmacies in San Francisco during summer 2002. PARTICIPANTS: 76 Walgreens community pharmacists. INTERVENTIONS: Self-administered survey mailed to all pharmacists (n = 122) working in all Walgreens units (n = 49) in San Francisco. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pharmacists' attitudes regarding EC provision. Variations in ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Birth Control published 6 November 2007:

Contraception and lactation.   J Midwifery Womens Health, 52(6): 614-20.

The benefits of breastfeeding for both the infant and the mother are undisputed. Longer intervals between births decrease fetal/infant and maternal complications. Lactation is an effective contraceptive for the first 6 months postpartum only if women breastfeed exclusively and at regular intervals, including nighttime. Because a high percentage of women in the United States supplement breastfeeding, it is important for these women to choose a method of contraception to prevent unintended ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Birth Control published 2 November 2007:

Contraception and adolescents.   Pediatrics, 120(5): 1135-48.

Although adolescent pregnancy rates in the United States have decreased significantly over the past decade, births to adolescents remain both an individual and public health issue. As advocates for the health and well-being of all young people, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly supports the recommendation that adolescents postpone consensual sexual activity until they are fully ready for the emotional, physical, and financial consequences of sex. The academy recognizes, however, that ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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