Research Briefs on Hormonal Contraception

Hormonal contraceptives are among the most popular family planning methods.  For about 150 million women worldwide, hormonal contraception is the method of choice.  These briefs discuss recent research on hormonals, including a study that indicated that hormonal contraceptives do not appear to increase the overall risk of acquiring HIV.

Providing More Than One Cycle of Oral Contraceptive Pills Is Cost-Effective (2009)

A study in Jamaica suggests that when women start using oral contraceptives, they are less likely to miss pills if their health care providers give them several packages of contraceptives at their first appointments. This practice can also reduce expenses for clinics and providers.

Antiretroviral Therapy Not Likely to Interfere with Effectiveness of Popular Contraceptive (2008)

Results of a clinical trial by scientists at Family Health International and the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, in Brazil, suggest that combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy is not likely to affect the contraceptive effectiveness of the injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).

The Potential Role of Contraceptive Implants in Sub-Saharan Africa (2008)

A study by investigators at Family Health International and University College London suggests that a large number of unintended pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa could be averted if even a fraction of women who use short-term hormonal contraceptives (pills and injectables) would switch to contraceptive implants.

Advantages of the "Immediate-Start" Approach to Initiating Hormonal Contraception (2008)

A new Cochrane review suggests that the "immediate-start" approach to initiating hormonal contraception may be more acceptable to clients than a standard approach. However, women who use the immediate-start approach may have different experiences depending on the contraceptive method they choose.

Updated Cochrane Review Compares Three Hormonal Methods of Contraception (2008)

An updated Cochrane review highlights similarities and differences between combined oral contraceptives and some newer contraceptive alternatives.

Study Demonstrates Feasibility of Important Clinical Trial (2008)

Results of a survey suggest that women in South Africa and Jamaica would be interested in participating in a clinical trial to examine the possible relationship between hormonal contraception and increased risks of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Results also show a high rate of STIs at the survey sites — another sign that a clinical trial would be feasible.

USAID-Supported Research Influences International Family Planning Guidelines (2008)

The World Health Organization has changed its recommendation on the timing of re-injection for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). The new guidelines encourage health care providers to allow a longer grace period for a woman to return for her next injection of this popular hormonal contraceptive.

Research from Three Developing Countries Confirms Hierarchy of Contraceptive Effectiveness (2007)

Results from a recent analysis underscore the counseling message that when it comes to preventing pregnancy, injectable contraceptives are more effective than combined oral contraceptive pills, which are more effective than condoms.

Unintentional Discontinuation of Injectable Contraceptives Can Be Prevented (2007)

Research from Family Health International, the University of Cape Town, and the Walter Sisulu University in South Africa shows that being late for a re-injection can lead to unintentional discontinuation of injectable contraceptives. Results of the study also suggest that family planning providers can take certain steps to help clients who do not wish to stop using the method.

Progestin-Only Injectables Appear Safe for Women with Sickle Cell Disease (2007)

A Cochrane review from Family Health International suggests that women with sickle cell disease may safely use the progestin-only injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). These findings are particularly relevant in sub-Saharan Africa, where the popularity of DMPA is increasing and sickle cell disease is widespread.

Future Appears Bright for Contraceptive Implants in Kenya (2007)

Contraceptive implants appear to have a bright future in Kenya, according to a recent study from Family Health International. The demand has remained high and the costs have dropped substantially since implants were first introduced to Kenya more than 20 years ago.

Hormonal Contraceptives Have Little Effect on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Healthy Women (2007)

A new Cochrane review from Family Health International suggests that the use of hormonal methods of family planning has little effect on how healthy women metabolize sugars and starches. However, little is known about the effects of these contraceptives on the use of carbohydrates in women at risk for diabetes.

Little Evidence Supports Strategies to Improve Contraceptive Continuation (2006)

Despite extensive efforts to increase hormonal method continuation rates, about a third of oral contraceptive and injectable users worldwide discontinue use within one year of starting, leaving many at risk of unintended pregnancy. A Cochrane review conducted by Family Health International emphasizes the urgency of identifying effective strategies for improving hormonal method continuation rates.

Research Supports Over-the-Counter Provision of Oral Contraceptives (2006)

Over-the-counter provision of oral contraceptives by pharmacists is a safe, effective, and practical way to distribute this popular contraceptive method in Jamaica, according to research published in the journal Studies in Family Planning.

Partner Violence Threatens Women's Ability to Use Pills Openly in Bolivia (2006)

According to research by Family Health International, method-related partner violence or fear of violence may help explain the high rate of covert contraceptive use in Bolivia, estimated by the researchers to be nearly 19 percent for women using oral contraceptives.

Oral Contraceptives Offer No Benefit for Functional Ovarian Cysts (2006)

Contrary to common clinical practice, combined oral contraceptives do not help functional ovarian cysts go away faster than they would without treatment, according to a recent Cochrane review conducted by Family Health International.

Evidence Inconclusive about Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Bone Fracture Risk (2006)

Whether hormonal contraceptive use increases the risk of bone fracture later in life cannot be determined from current data. This was the conclusion of a recent Cochrane review conducted by Family Health International.

Less is More in Helping Women Understand What to Do When They Miss Contraceptive Pills (2006)

Unintended pregnancies resulting from women missing their oral contraceptive pills could be reduced if women better understood what to do when they forget to take their daily pill. Research from Family Health International demonstrates that instructions explaining the steps to take when pills are missed are more readily comprehended when in graphic format, featuring simplified information.

Monophasic Regimens Should Be First Choice for New Pill Users (2006)

A new Cochrane review conducted by Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands and Family Health International suggests that monophasic regimens should be the first choice over triphasic regimens for new oral contraceptive users.

Hormonal Contraception Does Not Appear to Increase Overall HIV Risk (2006)

Neither combined oral contraceptives nor the injectable contraceptive depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) increases a woman's overall risk for acquiring HIV infection, according to a large study led by Family Health International.