Textbook of Contraceptive Practice

The Textbook of Contraceptive Practice is a current overview of population control. The authors are John Peel, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Hull and Malcolm Potts, Director of Medical Studies, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Individual chapters cover the various methods: the oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, withdrawal, diaphragm, spermicides, safe period, sterilization and abortion. Each method is described in detail with respect to its mode of action, suggestions for its optimal use by the patient, its effectiveness and side effects. Additional chapters consider the population explosion, the history of contraception, and medical, ethical, and legal aspects. This scope and the inclusion of recently recognized side effects of the oral contraceptives make this book unique. The oral contraceptives seem to be responsible for an increased incidence of thromboembolic phenomena, abnormal glucose tolerance curves and increased serum lipids. (Hypertension should be added to this list.) The book is clearly and well written. The small size and large print of the book (also available as a paperback) prevent in-depth documentation; selected references are provided. The authors summarize complex problems accurately and, in general, their opinions are reasonable. With the information presently available, the authors conclude that the woman who takes oral contraceptives has a greater likelihood of being alive one year later than the woman who chooses to have a baby or use some less effective method of contraception. This book should be of interest and value to everyone concerned with women. In the opinion of Dr. Alan Guttmacher, author of an earlier standard text in this field and president of Planned-Parenthood World Population, "Textbook of Contraceptive Practice is a splendid book. It is the sanest and clearest presentation of the topic I have ever read." ARNOLD EISENFELD