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Jäntti C, Toffol E, Partonen T, Haukka J, Heikinheimo O. Contraceptive plans and purchase after an induced abortion: A nationwide register study from Finland. Contraception 2024; 129:110299. [PMID: 37804948 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the types of hormonal contraceptive methods chosen at the time of the abortion, and how they correspond to post-abortion hormonal contraceptive purchase. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective register-based study. We identified the present cohort of 8428 women undergoing induced abortion between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018, using the Prescription Centre, Social Insurance Institution database and the Finnish National Register of Induced Abortions. From the Register of Induced Abortions, we gathered information on planned post-abortion contraception. The redeemed prescriptions of hormonal contraception were identified from the Prescription Centre until December 31, 2019. We analyzed the hormonal contraceptive methods planned at the time of the abortion, and how they corresponded to hormonal contraceptive purchase during the 1-year follow-up. We also assessed factors (age, socioeconomic status, education, civil status, and reproductive history) affecting post-abortion contraceptive purchase by using Poisson regression models. RESULTS At the time of the abortion, 83% (n = 7023) of the women were planning to start using hormonal contraception. Planning any hormonal contraception at the time of the abortion was associated with a higher probability to purchase hormonal contraception after the abortion (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.30, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 2.07-2.55), especially in cases of the vaginal ring (IRR 42.66, 95% CI 33.89-53.71) and contraceptive patch (IRR 156.33, 95% CI 111.31-219.55). The following variables were associated with lower incidence rates for purchasing hormonal contraception after the abortion: educational level of bachelor at the highest or missing information on education, civil status as married or divorced, and history of delivery or induced abortion. CONCLUSIONS The majority of women undergoing abortion plan to use hormonal contraceptive method for post-abortion contraception. Planning any hormonal contraceptive method at the time of an induced abortion is an important predictor of purchasing the method within the year after the abortion. IMPLICATIONS Hormonal contraceptive purchase after an abortion is associated with pre-abortion contraceptive planning. Many background factors for not purchasing hormonal contraception can be identified, which may guide counseling dedicated to these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Jäntti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hyvinkää Hospital, Hyvinkää, Finland
| | - Elena Toffol
- Department of Public Health, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo Partonen
- Mental Health Unit, Department of Public Health Solutions, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Haukka
- Department of Public Health, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oskari Heikinheimo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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Hogmark S, Envall N, Gemzell‐Danielsson K, Kopp Kallner H. One-year follow up of contraceptive use and pregnancy rates after early medical abortion: Secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of immediate post-abortion placement of intrauterine devices. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2023; 102:1694-1702. [PMID: 37614066 PMCID: PMC10619601 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intrauterine devices (IUDs) effectively prevent unwanted pregnancies. Little is known about long-term outcomes of women choosing an IUD after early medical abortion. MATERIAL AND METHODS We present secondary outcome data of continuation rates, factors associated with continuation and discontinuation, choice of IUD type, women's satisfaction with IUD, and IUD expulsions, subsequent pregnancies, and abortions within 1 year post-abortion in a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial on IUD placement within 48 hours compared with placement 2-4 weeks after medical abortion up to 63 days' gestation (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03603145). RESULTS Of the 240 women studied, 112/120 (93.3%) in the intervention group vs 113/120 (94.2%) in the control group completed the 12-month follow-up. The rate of IUD use at 12 months was 84/112 (75%) in the intervention group vs 75/113 (66.4%) in the control group (P = 0.19). Attendance at the IUD placement visit was the only predictor of long-term IUD use (relative risk [RR] = 5.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03-16.0; P = 0.001). The main reason for choosing an IUD was high contraceptive effectiveness. The most common reasons for IUD discontinuation were bleeding problems and abdominal pain. IUD expulsion was rare and did not differ between groups. Satisfaction among IUD users at 1 year was high (>94%) and the majority of all participants would recommend IUD to a friend (65.8%). Use of no contraception and experience of unprotected intercourse were less common in the intervention group (11/112 [9.8%] vs 25/113 [22.1%], P = 0.02 and 17/112 [15.2%] vs 32/113 [28.3%], P = 0.02, respectively). There was no difference in the rate of subsequent pregnancies and abortions (pregnancies 14/112, 12.5% in the intervention group vs 8/113, 7.1% in the control group, P = 0.19; abortions 5/112, 4.5% vs 3/113, 2.7%, P = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS IUD placement after medical abortion led to high continuation and satisfaction rates with no difference between groups. We found no difference in IUD expulsions after immediate compared with later placement. Unprotected intercourse was significantly less common in the immediate group. In clinical practice, immediate placement of IUDs available free of charge at the abortion clinic is likely to increase attendance to the placement visit and continued use of IUDs after abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hogmark
- Department of Clinical SciencesDanderyd Hospital, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Center for Clinical Research DalarnaUppsala UniversityFalunSweden
| | - Niklas Envall
- Department of Clinical SciencesDanderyd Hospital, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- School of Health and WelfareDalarna UniversityFalunSweden
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Kristina Gemzell‐Danielsson
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Research Training in Human ReproductionStockholmSweden
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive medicineKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Helena Kopp Kallner
- Department of Clinical SciencesDanderyd Hospital, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyDanderyd HospitalStockholmSweden
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Rosenberg JD, Raymond E, Shochet T. An examination of loss to follow-up and potential bias in outcome ascertainment in a study of direct-to-patient telemedicine abortion in the United States. Contraception 2023; 122:109996. [PMID: 36841460 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.109996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine associations between factors associated with loss to follow-up and effectiveness in the TelAbortion project, which provided medication abortion by direct-to-patient telemedicine and mail in the United States. STUDY DESIGN The study population for this descriptive analysis included abortions among participants enrolled in the TelAbortion study with data present in a web-based database tool from November 2018 to September 2021 who were mailed a medication package. The analysis included information on abortions across nine sites. In this analysis, we used generalized estimating equations to examine factors associated with loss to follow-up and effectiveness. RESULTS Of the 1831 abortions included in this analysis, 1553 (84.8%) were classified as having complete follow-up and 278 (15.2%) were classified as lost to follow-up. In a multivariable analysis, factors significantly associated with loss to follow-up included history of medical abortion, education, gestational age, study site, and whether the TelAbortion was performed pre- or post-COVID-19 onset (p < 0.05). The rate of treatment failure (i.e., abortions resulting in continuing pregnancy or uterine evacuation) reported in this study was 5.1%. The only covariate associated with both loss to follow-up and treatment failure was higher gestational age. However, using gestational age to impute missing abortion outcomes did not substantially change the estimated failure rate. CONCLUSIONS Abortions that were lost to follow-up differed substantially from those with complete follow-up, which could bias the effectiveness estimate. However, imputing outcomes based on available and appropriate pretreatment data did not substantially affect the estimate. This finding is encouraging, although it does not exclude the possibility of bias due to unmeasured factors. IMPLICATIONS Significant differences between abortion cases with complete follow-up and those lost to follow-up provide insights into abortion cases that may be at a higher risk for being lost. The low treatment failure rate indicates that the telemedicine provision of medication abortion is effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D Rosenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA; Guttmacher Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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Hogmark S, Liljeblad KL, Envall N, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Kallner HK. Placement of an intrauterine device within 48 hours after early medical abortion-a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:53.e1-53.e9. [PMID: 35970199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.07.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrauterine devices are safe, well-tolerated, and known to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies. At medical abortion, intrauterine devices are placed at a follow-up visit. Patients who miss this visit risk being left without contraception. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate if placement of an intrauterine device within 48 hours of completed medical abortion at up to 63 days' gestation leads to higher user rates at 6 months after the abortion compared with placement at 2 to 4 weeks after abortion. Furthermore, we aimed to compare continued use of intrauterine devices, safety, and patient satisfaction between groups. STUDY DESIGN We performed an open-label, randomized, controlled, multicenter, superiority trial (phase 3). A total of 240 patients requesting medical abortion at up to 63 days' gestation and opting for an intrauterine device were allocated to placement within 48 hours of complete medical abortion (intervention group) or at 2 to 4 weeks after abortion (control group). We defined the abortion as complete after bleeding with clots and cessation of heavy bleeding following the use of misoprostol. Patients answered questionnaires at 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome was use of intrauterine device at 6 months postabortion. Secondary outcomes included expulsion rate, pain at placement, adverse events and complications from the abortion, acceptability, and pregnancies and their outcomes. Differences in nonparametric continuous variables were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test and differences in dichotomous variables with the chi square or Fisher exact tests. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS In the intervention group, 91 of 111 (82%) participants used an intrauterine device at 6 months after the abortion vs 87 of 112 (77.7%) in the control group, with a difference in proportion of 4.3% (95% confidence interval, -0.062 to 0.148; P=.51). Attendance rate and rate of successful intrauterine device placement were similar between the groups. Patients in the intervention group had lower pain scores at placement of the intrauterine device (mean pain score [visual analogue scale], 32.3; standard deviation, 29) compared with the control group (mean pain score [visual analogue scale], 43.4; standard deviation, 27.9; P=.002). Patients preferred their allocated time of placement significantly more often in the intervention group (83/111, 74.8%) than in the control group (70/114, 61.4%; P=.03). Use of ultrasound at intrauterine device placement (because of doubts concerning complete abortion) was more common in the intervention group (43/108, 39.8%) than in the control group (15/101, 14.9%; P<.001), and in one patient in the control group a retained gestational sac was found. Three patients in the intervention group and 2 in the control group had a vacuum aspiration. No difference was found in intrauterine device expulsion rates between the groups. Expulsion during the first 6 months after abortion was experienced by 9 of 97 (9.3%) patients in the intervention group and 4 of 89 (4.5%; P=.25) in the control group. There were no perforations or infections requiring antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION Placement of an intrauterine device within 48 hours after medical abortion at ≤63 days' gestation does not lead to higher user rates at 6 months after the abortion compared with intrauterine device placement at 2 to 4 weeks after abortion. When compared with placement at a follow-up visit after 2 to 4 weeks, intrauterine device placement within 48 hours after early medical abortion seems safe, is preferred by patients, and is associated with lower pain scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hogmark
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University, Falun, Sweden.
| | - Karin Lichtenstein Liljeblad
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas Envall
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Reproductive medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Kopp Kallner
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Baraitser P, Free C, Norman WV, Lewandowska M, Meiksin R, Palmer MJ, Scott R, French R, Wellings K, Ivory A, Wong G. Improving experience of medical abortion at home in a changing therapeutic, technological and regulatory landscape: a realist review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e066650. [PMID: 36385017 PMCID: PMC9670095 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To inform UK service development to support medical abortion at home, appropriate for person and context. DESIGN Realist review SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Peer-reviewed literature from 1 January 2000 to 9 December 2021, describing interventions or models of home abortion care. Participants included people seeking or having had an abortion. INTERVENTIONS Interventions and new models of abortion care relevant to the UK. OUTCOME MEASURES Causal explanations, in the form of context-mechanism-outcome configurations, to test and develop our realist programme theory. RESULTS We identified 12 401 abstracts, selecting 944 for full text assessment. Our final review included 50 papers. Medical abortion at home is safe, effective and acceptable to most, but clinical pathways and user experience are variable and a minority would not choose this method again. Having a choice of abortion location remains essential, as some people are unable to have a medical abortion at home. Choice of place of abortion (home or clinical setting) was influenced by service factors (appointment number, timing and wait-times), personal responsibilities (caring/work commitments), geography (travel time/distance), relationships (need for secrecy) and desire for awareness/involvement in the process. We found experiences could be improved by offering: an option for self-referral through a telemedicine consultation, realistic information on a range of experiences, opportunities to personalise the process, improved pain relief, and choice of when and how to discuss contraception. CONCLUSIONS Acknowledging the work done by patients when moving medical abortion care from clinic to home is important. Patients may benefit from support to: prepare a space, manage privacy and work/caring obligations, decide when/how to take medications, understand what is normal, assess experience and decide when and how to ask for help. The transition of this complex intervention when delivered outside healthcare environments could be supported by strategies that reduce surprise or anxiety, enabling preparation and a sense of control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Free
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Wendy V Norman
- Department of Family Practice, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Maria Lewandowska
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Meiksin
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa J Palmer
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rachel Scott
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rebecca French
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kaye Wellings
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alice Ivory
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Geoff Wong
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
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Pohjoranta E, Suhonen S, Gissler M, Ikonen P, Mentula M, Heikinheimo O. Early provision of intrauterine contraception as part of abortion care-5-year results of a randomised controlled trial. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:796-804. [PMID: 32266392 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can the incidence of subsequent termination of pregnancy (TOP) be reduced by providing intrauterine contraception as part of the abortion service? SUMMARY ANSWER Provision of an intrauterine device (IUD) as part of TOP services reduced the need for subsequent TOP but the effect was limited to the first 3 years of the 5-year follow-up. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY An IUD is highly effective in preventing subsequent TOP. Prompt initiation of IUD use leads to a higher usage rate during follow-up, as compliance with post-TOP IUD insertion visits is low. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The objective of this randomised controlled trial was to assess the effect of early comprehensive provision of intrauterine contraception after TOP, with primary outcome being the incidence of subsequent TOP during the 5 years of follow-up after the index abortion. This study was conducted at a tertiary care centre between 18 October 2010 and 21 January 2013. Altogether, 748 women undergoing a first trimester TOP were recruited and randomised into two groups. The intervention group (n = 375) was provided with an IUD during surgical TOP or 1-4 weeks following medical TOP at the hospital providing the abortion care. Women in the control group (n = 373) were advised to contact primary health care for follow-up and IUD insertion. Subsequent TOPs during the 5-year follow-up were identified from the Finnish Register on induced abortions. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, duration of gestation ≤12 weeks, residence in Helsinki and accepting intrauterine contraception. Women with contraindications to IUD were excluded. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The overall numbers of subsequent TOPs were 50 in the intervention and 72 in the control group (26.7 versus 38.6/1000 years of follow-up, P = 0.027), and those of requested TOPs, including TOPs and early pregnancy failures, were 58 and 76, respectively (30.9 versus 40.8/1000, P = 0.080). Altogether 40 (10.7%) women in the intervention and 63 (16.9%) in the control group underwent one or several subsequent TOPs (hazard ratio 1.67 [95% CI 1.13 to 2.49], P = 0.011). The number of TOPs was reduced by the intervention during years 0-3 (22.2 versus 46.5/1000, P = 0.035), but not during years 4-5 (33.3 versus 26.8/1000, P = 0.631). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Both medical and surgical TOP were used. This may be seen as a limitation, but it also reflects the contemporary practice of abortion care. The immediate post-TOP care was provided by two different organizations, allowing us to compare two different ways of contraceptive service provision following TOP. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Providing TOP and IUD insertion comprehensively in the same heath care unit leads to significantly higher rates of attendance, IUD use and a significantly lower risk of subsequent TOP. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by Helsinki University Central Hospital Research funds and by research grants provided by the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation and Finska Läkaresällskapet. E.P. has received a personal research grant from the Finnish Medical Society. The City of Helsinki supported the study by providing the IUDs. The funding organisations had no role in planning or execution of the study, or in analysing the study results. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01223521). TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE 18 October 2010. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT 18 October 2010.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Pohjoranta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Suhonen
- Centralized Family Planning, Department of Social Services and Health Care, City of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Gissler
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Finnish Institute for Health and Wellfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirjo Ikonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maarit Mentula
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oskari Heikinheimo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Glasier A, Bhattacharya S, Evers H, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Hardman S, Heikinheimo O, La Vecchia C, Somigliana E. Contraception after pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2019; 98:1378-1385. [PMID: 31001809 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Whatever the outcome, pregnancy provides the opportunity to offer effective contraception to couples motivated to avoid another pregnancy. This narrative review summarizes the evidence for health providers, drawing attention to current guidelines on which contraceptive methods can be used, and when they should be started after pregnancy, whatever its outcome. Fertility returns within 1 month of the end of pregnancy unless breastfeeding occurs. Breastfeeding, which itself suppresses fertility after childbirth, influences both when contraception should start and what methods can be used. Without breastfeeding, effective contraception should be started as soon as possible if another pregnancy is to be avoided. Interpregnancy intervals of at least 6 months after miscarriage and 1-2 years after childbirth have long been recommended by the World Health Organization in order to reduce the chance of adverse pregnancy outcome. Recent research suggests that this may not be necessary, at least for healthy women <35 years old. Most contraceptive methods can be used after pregnancy regardless of the outcome. Because of an increased risk of venous thromboembolism associated with estrogen-containing contraceptives, initiation of these methods should be delayed until 6 weeks after childbirth. More research is required to settle the questions over the use of combined hormonal contraception during breastfeeding, the use of injectable progestin-only contraceptives before 6 weeks after childbirth, and the use of both hormonal and intrauterine contraception after gestational trophoblastic disease. The potential impact on the risk of ectopic pregnancy of certain contraceptive methods often confuses healthcare providers. The challenges involved in providing effective, seamless service provision of contraception after pregnancy are numerous, even in industrialized countries. Nevertheless, the clear benefits demonstrate that it is worth the effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Glasier
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Hans Evers
- Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sarah Hardman
- College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Edgardo Somigliana
- University degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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