BACKGROUND This paper explores recent developments in female contraception, using them to illustrate how adaptation of existing methods, improved service delivery and understanding contraceptive behaviour might increase contraceptive uptake and correct and consistent use, and how the development of new methods holds some promise for capitalizing on the potential non-contraceptive benefits. MET...

Emergency contraception (EC) involves women taking a high dose of regular oral contraceptives very shortly after unprotected intercourse. Specifically, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of intercourse in cases of known or suspected contraception failure or when no contraception was used. Adherence to this approach is now widely accepted as cap...

BACKGROUND Limited knowledge and practice of contraception is a global public health problem. Unintended pregnancies are the primary cause of induced abortion. When safe abortions are not available, as in Nigeria with restricted abortion laws, abortion can contribute significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity. Adequate information on the awareness and the use of emergency contraception i...

CONTEXT Little is known about how written family planning clinic policy regarding emergency contraception, as well as personal characteristics, behaviors and attitudes, may influence a woman to use emergency contraception. METHODS Between June 2001 and July 2002, women attending publicly funded family planning clinics in Pennsylvania were enrolled in an 18-month longitudinal study. Half atten...

Emergency contraception (EC) is a safe and effective method which is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Many of the unwanted pregnancies end in unsafe abortions. The search for an ideal contraceptive, which does not interfere with spontaneity or pleasure of the sexual act, yet effectively controls the fertility, is still continuing. Numerous contraceptive t...

This report reviews some of the new studies regarding new hormonal contraceptive formulations (e.g., Yaz, Qlaira(®), extended-cycle or continuous combined contraceptives, subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, and ulipristal acetate as an emergency contraceptive). Recent data on the relationship between hormonal contraceptive use and bone health are also reviewed.

BACKGROUND The recent commentary article in this journal by Chandra-Mouli et al. speaks of a never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception. We endorse the positive 'can-do' tone of the article, but noticed that at least four issues, which in our view are crucial, merit a comment. MAIN BODY First of all, the article suggests that there is some sort of...

The diffusion of 'modern' contraceptives-as a proxy for the spread of low-fertility norms-has long interested researchers wishing to understand global fertility decline. A fundamental question is how local cultural norms and other people's behaviour influence the probability of contraceptive use, independent of women's socioeconomic and life-history characteristics. However, few studies have co...

BACKGROUND Understanding why people do not use family planning is critical to address unmet needs and to increase contraceptive use. According to the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2011, most women and men had knowledge on some family planning methods but only about 29% of married women were using contraceptives. 20% women had an unmet need for family planning. We examined knowledge, a...