Access to IUD removal: Data from a mystery-caller study

Retail availability of over-the-counter birth control pills at Texas pharmacies: Results from a mystery caller study

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the availability of the recently released over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill (Opill) in retail pharmacies and compare availability across pharmacies based on their chain status and setting.

STUDY DESIGN

In April and May 2024, we conducted a mystery caller study of a sample of 500 Texas retail pharmacies. Sampled pharmacies were contacted by female project staff posing as potential customers and asked whether they had OTC birth control pills in stock and, if not, whether they could be ordered. We characterized pharmacies by chain status (independent pharmacy, chain pharmacy inside retail outlet, chain pharmacy with standalone location) and, using geolocation, as located in either rural or urban areas.

RESULTS

Overall, 62% of pharmacies (N = 477) reported having Opill available for sale. This stock varied by pharmacy type, with independent pharmacies the least likely to stock it (25%) and standalone chain pharmacies the most likely (82%). Similar patterns were found in terms of pharmacies that had Opill in stock or were willing to order it. We found no significant differences between urban and rural pharmacies.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its recent (March 2024) launch, Opill was widely available in retail pharmacies in Texas, though independent pharmacies were less likely to stock it. While removing the need for prescriptions may make birth control pills more accessible, this access may vary by pharmacy type.

IMPLICATIONS

Following its retail launch, the first OTC birth control pill in the United States is already widely available in pharmacies in Texas. As they are highly likely to stock these OTC pills, chain pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid) may be well positioned to address existing barriers to accessing birth control pills.

Access to general obstetrics and gynecology care among Medicaid beneficiaries and the privately insured: a nationwide mystery caller study in the USA

BACKGROUND

The mean wait time for new patient appointments has been growing across specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, in recent years. This study aimed to assess the impact of insurance type (Medicaid versus commercial insurance) on new patient appointment wait times in general obstetrics and gynecology practices.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study used covert mystery calls to general obstetrician gynecologists. Physicians were selected from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists directory and stratified by districts to ensure nationwide representation. Wait times for new patient appointments were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Regardless of insurance type, the mean wait time for all obstetrician gynecologists was 29.9 business days. Medicaid patients experienced a marginally longer wait time of 4.8% (Ratio: 1.048). While no statistically significant difference in wait times based on insurance type was observed (P=0.39), the data revealed other impactful factors. Younger physicians and those in university-based practices had longer wait times. The gender of the physician also influenced wait times, with female physicians having a mean wait time of 34.7 days compared to 22.7 days for male physicians (P=0.03). Additionally, geographical variations were noted, with physicians in American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District I (Atlantic Provinces, CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) having the longest mean wait times and those in District III (DE, NJ, PA) the shortest.

CONCLUSIONS

While the type of insurance did not significantly influence the wait times for general obstetrics and gynecology appointments, physician demographic and geographic factors did.

Prospective Evaluation of Ease and Difficulties of 869 Cases of Intrauterine Devices Removals

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to describe the ease and difficulty of removing intrauterine devices (IUDs).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Faculty of Medical Sciences, UNICAMP. We included women who requested IUD removal. We excluded women with partial IUD expulsion in which the IUD was protruded at the external os. We identified difficult IUD removal when the removal was challenging, including the inability to visualize IUD strings extending from the cervical os.

RESULTS

A total of 869 women participated. Women were aged 29.4 ± 8.0 years (mean ± SD; range 14-51) and the duration of IUD use at the time of removal was 4.3 ± 4.2 years. We found that 702 (80.8%) women had visible strings at the external os and the removals were performed at the first attempt without difficulty in 692 (79.6%) participants. The pain was more intense (>4) in cases of difficult removals. After multivariate logistic analysis, difficult removals were associated with users of IUD ≥3 years (3 times higher risk); for each previous cesarean delivery, the risk increased by 1.5 times.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that IUD removal is an easy and safe procedure, with only a small proportion of women reporting significant pain with IUD removal.

Increasing access to LARC removal in pediatrics to support adolescent reproductive justice in the United States

BACKGROUND

In the United States (U.S.), adolescents and young adults are increasingly using contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) [e.g., subdermal implants (e.g., Nexplanon®) and intrauterine devices (IUDs)]; however, access to LARC device removal may be difficult for adolescents and young adults. Reproductive justice is the right to bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and safely parent the children we have.

METHODS

In this commentary, we discuss that while the specialties of family medicine and obstetrics and gynecology have incorporated the principles of reproductive justice into their contraceptive care, further work is needed to ingrain this philosophy into pediatrics training. Since LARC devices are historically only removable by health care providers, pediatricians may act as gatekeepers to removing LARC, obstructing the reproductive justice of adolescents and young adults.

RESULTS

We describe that adolescents and young adults in the U.S. face unique barriers to LARC removal including limited access to the health care system, potential breaches in confidentiality, and provider bias. These barriers may lead adolescents and young adults to remove their own LARC device when experiencing unwanted side effects or desiring pregnancy. While IUD self-removal is a safe and accessible option, safety and efficacy data on subdermal implant self-removal is currently limited.

CONCLUSION

In order to promote reproductive justice in adolescents and young adults, we recommend that (1) pediatricians should address potential barriers to LARC removal prior to insertion, (2) pediatricians must offer unbiased LARC removal, (3) pediatricians who place LARC must be knowledgeable about complicated LARC removal, and (4) pediatricians should discuss LARC self-removal options with adolescents and young adults.

Patient Barriers to Discontinuing Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

OBJECTIVES

To describe how frequently a national sample of patients with experience discontinuing or desiring discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) experienced barriers to discontinuation.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey of individuals ages 18 to 50 in the United States who had previously used and discontinued or attempted to discontinue LARC. We recruited respondents using the Amazon platform MTurk. Respondents provided demographic information and answered questions regarding their experience discontinuing LARC, including reasons removal was deferred or denied. We analyzed frequency of types of barriers encountered and compared these by demographic factors.

RESULTS

Of the 376 surveys analyzed, 99 (26%) described experiencing at least one barrier to removal. Barriers were disproportionately reported by those who had public health insurance, a history of abortion, and a history of birth compared to those who did not report barriers to removal. They also more frequently identified as Latinx, Asian, or Middle Eastern. Most barriers were provider-driven and potentially modifiable.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Barriers to LARC discontinuation are common and may be provider- or systems-driven. Providers should be mindful of biases in their counseling and practices to avoid contributing to these barriers.

Contraceptive Method Switching and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Removal in U.S. Safety Net Clinics, 2016-2021

OBJECTIVE

To describe patterns of contraceptive method switching and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) removal in a large network of community health centers.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using individual-level electronic health record data from 489 clinics in 20 states from 2016 to 2021. We used logistic regression models, including individual-, clinic-, and state-level covariates, to calculate adjusted odds ratios and predicted probabilities of any observed contraceptive method switching and LARC removal among those with baseline incident LARC, both over 4-year time periods.

RESULTS

Among 151,786 patients with 513,753 contraceptive encounters, 22.1% switched to another method at least once over the 4-year observation period, and switching patterns were varied. In patients with baseline LARC, the adjusted predicted probability of switching was 19.0% (95% CI 18.0-20.0%) compared with patients with baseline moderately effective methods (16.2%, 95% CI 15.1-17.3%). The adjusted predicted probability of switching was highest among the youngest group (28.6%, 95% CI 25.8-31.6% in patients aged 12-14 years) and decreased in a dose-response relationship by age to 8.4% (95% CI 7.4-9.4%) among patients aged 45-49 years. Latina and Black race and ethnicity, public or no insurance, and baseline Title X clinic status were all associated with higher odds of switching at least once. Among baseline LARC users, 19.4% had a removal (to switch or discontinue) within 1 year and 30.1% within 4 years; 97.6% of clinics that provided LARC also had evidence of a removal.

CONCLUSION

Community health centers provide access to method switching and LARC removal. Contraceptive switching and LARC removal are common, and clinicians should normalize switching and LARC removal among patients.

Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (EC) refers to several contraceptive options that can be used within a few days after unprotected or under protected intercourse or sexual assault to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Current EC options available in the United States include the copper intrauterine device (IUD), levonorgestrel (LNG) 52 mg IUD, oral LNG (such as Plan B One-Step, My Way, Take Action), and oral ulipristal acetate (UPA) (ella). These clinical recommendations review the indications, effectiveness, safety, and side effects of emergency contraceptive methods; considerations for the use of EC by specific patient populations and in specific clinical circumstances and current barriers to emergency contraceptive access. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of LNG IUDs for emergency contraceptive use; address the effects of repeated use of UPA at different times in the same menstrual cycle; assess the impact on ovulation of initiating or reinitiating different regimens of regular hormonal contraception following UPA use; and elucidate effective emergency contraceptive pill options by body mass indices or weight.

Intrauterine Device Training, Attitudes, and Practices Among U.S. Health Care Providers: Findings from a Nationwide Survey

BACKGROUND

Provider training in intrauterine device (IUD) procedures is a key strategy for improving evidence-based IUD care. We examined the influence of IUD training on IUD attitudes and practices among U.S. family planning providers.

METHODS

In 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of U.S. family planning providers. We performed logistic regression to examine associations between training in routine IUD placement and specific IUD safety attitudes, confidence performing IUD procedures, and specific IUD practices.

RESULTS

Among 1,063 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, 85.1% reported training in routine IUD placement. Overall, IUD training was associated with accurately stating IUDs are safe for queried groups, including patients immediately postpartum (prevalence ratio [PR] 4.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-13.85). Trained providers reported higher confidence in routine IUD placement for parous (PR 7.71; 95% CI 1.31-45.3) and nulliparous (PR 7.12; 95% CI 1.17-43.5) women and in IUD removal (PR 2.06; 95% CI 1.12-3.81). Among providers with IUDs available onsite, IUD training was associated with frequent same-day IUD provision for adults (PR 7.32; 95% CI 2.16-24.79) and adolescents (PR 7.63; 95% CI 2.22-26.24). Trained providers were also less likely to routinely use misoprostol before IUD placement for nulliparous (PR 0.19; 95% CI 0.11-0.33) and parous women (PR 0.07; 95% CI 0.03-0.16).

CONCLUSION

Training in routine IUD placement was associated with evidence-based IUD safety attitudes, confidence in performing IUD procedures, and clinical practices aligned with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contraception guidance. Expanding IUD training might increase evidence-based care and patient access to the full range of contraception, including IUDs.

Recap of the sixth international symposium on intrauterine devices and systems for women's health

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sixth International Symposium on Intrauterine Devices and Systems for Women's Health was held as a series of seven 2-hour webinars between May 28, 2020, and June 22, 2021. This Symposium featured 48 different presenters and moderators covering a wide range of topics to highlight new IUD issues and update general IUD knowledge, just as it was done in previous symposia dating back to 1962 [1-5]. A total of 1346 people attended remotely to observe the events live. In this article, we share summaries of the presentations from the sixth symposium. These summaries, provided by the presenters, are meant to archive the symposium. This article gives the reader an overview of the topics and identifies the sessions' moderators and speakers charged with providing the content. Those interested in further detail, references, and information about the speakers can find more information on the conference website: www.iud2020.com. After the summaries, we share ideas for future IUD research and programmatic needs, as provided by Symposium's presenters and organizers. The authors' summaries are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of the Symposium's organizers or the medical community at large. The Symposium was recorded and the sessions are available for viewing free of charge at the website, www.iud2020.comor on YouTube. As of July 2022, approximately 1700 visitors have viewed the recordings.

Satisfaction, Resignation, and Dissatisfaction with Long-Acting Reversible Contraception among Low-Income Postpartum Texans

INTRODUCTION

Prior longitudinal studies of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) satisfaction and continuation guaranteed their participants access to LARC removal. Under real-world conditions, LARC users who wish to discontinue may experience barriers to LARC removal.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study recruited 1,700 postpartum Texans without private insurance from 8 hospitals in 6 cities. Our analysis included the 418 respondents who initiated LARC in the 24 months after childbirth. A content analysis of open-ended survey responses identified three categories of LARC users: satisfied, resigned, and dissatisfied. Satisfied LARC users were using their method of choice. Resigned users were using LARC as an alternative method when their preferred method was inaccessible. Dissatisfied users were unhappy with LARC. Multinomial logistic regression models identified risk factors for resignation and dissatisfaction. Cox proportional hazards models assessed differences in LARC discontinuation by satisfaction and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Participants completed 1,505 surveys while using LARC. LARC users were satisfied in 83.46% of survey responses, resigned in 5.25%, and dissatisfied in 11.30%. Resignation was more likely if respondents were uninsured or wanted sterilization at the time of childbirth. The risk of dissatisfaction increased with time using LARC and was higher among uninsured respondents. U.S.-born Hispanic LARC users were more likely than foreign-born Hispanic LARC users to be dissatisfied and less likely to discontinue when dissatisfied. Dissatisfaction-but not resignation-predicted discontinuation. Cost, lack of insurance, and difficulty obtaining an appointment were frequent barriers to LARC removal.

CONCLUSIONS

Most postpartum LARC users were satisfied, but users who wished to discontinue frequently encountered barriers.

Self-removal of long-acting reversible contraception: A content analysis of YouTube videos

OBJECTIVE

To explore publicly available information about the self-removal of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) on a popular video-sharing website.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a comprehensive keyword search of YouTube videos related to self-removal of LARC-namely intrauterine devices and implants. We analyzed video content to explore demographic characteristics, method and duration of LARC use, and motivations and experiences of self-removal.

RESULTS

Our keyword search identified 58 videos that met the criteria for inclusion, including 48 videos that featured individuals who removed an intrauterine device and 10 who removed an implant. Collectively, videos had over 4 million views. We identified most video creators as white (53%), 31% as Black, and 14% as Latinx. Users were motivated to remove their own device by both preferences and barriers to formal care. Most individuals in our sample (n = 56/58) successfully removed their device and described their experience in positive terms related to the ease of removal. Reasons for LARC discontinuation included negative side effects, fear of potential side effects, and desire for pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

This study builds upon prior research by describing publicly available information about LARC self-removal. The over representation of Black women in our sample may reflect a higher prevalence of LARC self-removal among this population. Positive experiences of self-removal and high levels of viewer engagement with online videos suggest a need for provider counseling on LARC removal at the time of insertion.

IMPLICATIONS

Prior to LARC insertion, patients should be made aware of any financial requirements for discontinuation. Provider counseling for self-removal at the time of insertion will likely minimize health risks and affirm patient reproductive autonomy.

Exploring the experience of IUD self-removal in the United States through posts on internet forums

OBJECTIVE

Some intrauterine devices (IUD) users self-remove their IUDs, and these experiences are not well understood. This study examines what IUD users post in internet forums about their experience, as well as advice and questions shared among IUD users about self-removal.

METHODS

This study uses qualitative analysis of internet health and parenting forum postings about IUD self-removal identified from an internet search engine. We analyzed the data using inductive and deductive content analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight sites, containing 1742 posts by 1197 unique users, satisfied our eligibility criteria. Users reported successful IUD self-removal attempts as "quick," "easy," and "painless"; it was rare to encounter IUD users describing complications of their self-removal attempts. Users described unsuccessful attempts as failure to find or grasp strings. Many IUD users described their successful removal techniques and gave advice to other users who were struggling with self-removal. Users frequently utilized the forum to ask questions about IUD self-removal methods and timing, pain, when to seek medical intervention, and the effects on future fertility.

CONCLUSIONS

Posts describing successful IUD self-removal report positive experiences. IUD users who have difficulty with self-removal may utilize internet forums to learn from others' experiences.

IMPLICATIONS

Exploring IUD users' experiences with and questions about self-removal may inform strategies to develop better resources for those who desire self-removal.

Women's Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception for Birth Timing and Birth Stopping

The use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods-intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants-has recently expanded rapidly in the United States, and these methods together approach the contraceptive pill in current prevalence. Research on LARCs has analyzed their use to reduce unintended pregnancies but not their use to enable intended pregnancies. Knowledge of both is necessary to understand LARCs' potential impacts on the reproductive life courses of U.S. women. We combine data from two nationally representative surveys to estimate women's likelihood and timing of subsequent reproductive events, including births resulting from an intended pregnancy up to nine years after discontinuing LARC use. We estimate that 62% of women will give birth, and 45% will give birth from an intended pregnancy. Additionally, 18% will have a new LARC inserted, and 13% will transition to sterilization. Most of these reproductive events occur within two years after discontinuing LARC use. Births from an intended pregnancy are especially common when no intervening switch to another contraceptive method occurs. We infer that women's motives for using LARC are varied but include the desire to postpone a birth, to postpone a decision about whether to have a(nother) birth, and to transition definitively to the completion of childbearing.

Contraceptive method type and satisfaction, confidence in use, and switching intentions

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether contraceptive method type, satisfaction with use, and confidence in correct use were independently associated with switching intentions, a precursor of switching behaviors.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were from a probability-based sample survey carried out in Delaware and Maryland in 2016 and 2017 among women ages 18 to 44. Women's current contraceptive methods were classified into 5 categories: coitally-dependent methods (barrier methods, withdrawal, and natural family planning); oral contraceptive pills, patches, and rings; injections; implants; and intrauterine contraception (IUC). Satisfaction, confidence, and switching intentions were dichotomized into being very versus less satisfied, being completely versus less confident, and having very low versus not very low switching intentions. We conducted binomial logistic regression to examine whether method type, satisfaction, and confidence were independently associated with having very low switching intentions, adjusting for a range of covariates including sociodemographics, perceived health, religious attendance frequency, sexual, contraceptive, and reproductive experiences, and state of residence (Maryland or Delaware).

RESULTS

Among 1,077 women using reversible contraception, those using IUC relative to implants, pills, patches, or rings, and coitally-dependent methods were more likely to have very low switching intentions. Among all survey respondents, those who were very satisfied and those who were completely confident in correct use were also more likely to report very low switching intentions.

CONCLUSIONS

Using IUC, being very satisfied, and being very confident in correct use were independently associated with having very low switching intentions.

IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest that those using IUC have very low intentions to switch for reasons in addition to satisfaction-level with their method. Other aspects of using IUC such as ease of use, perceived barriers to switching, or having very low switching intentions before beginning IUC may be such reasons.