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Oral contraceptives use and weight gain in women with a Central European life-style.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to check and present data on the relation between combined oral contraceptives (COC) use and body weight in young women living in Poland. METHODS: Observational study on the group of young women on COC and the control group of young women who never used COC. Candidates for study (145 women) and control (218 women) groups were recruited in selected gynecological clinics in Poland during the period of 1-31 January 2002 (with the use of randomization). RESULTS: Both groups (study and control) were almost identical in age, anthropometric characteristics, number of pregnancies and deliveries. On the basis of this investigation it was found that there was no relation between use of COC and weight gain. Observed (in both groups) weight gain in young women was most probably related rather to time-passing (patients were getting older). The higher risk for overweight and obesity was found in the group of young women who had already had problems with overweight in their childhood. and in the group of women with high weight gain during the first pregnancy. CONCLUSION: COC use is not associated with weight gain in young women with a Central European life-style.

Adolescent↗

Vaginitis in a gynecologic practice in Israel: causes and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal symptoms are a leading reason for a patient to visit her gynecologist. Little is known about the prevalence of the different causes of vaginitis and the risk factors for this entity in Israel. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of the main forms of vaginitis: vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis, in a gynecologic practice in Israel. METHODS: We evaluated 208 patients presenting with vaginal symptoms to a gynecologic clinic; 100 asymptomatic women who attended the clinic for routine check-up served as controls. Demographic, medical and gynecologic histories were obtained, and a pelvic examination was performed in all patients. Vaginal specimens were tested for pH and amine reaction, smeared for Gram-staining and cultured for yeasts and Trichomonas vaginalis. Bacterial vaginitis was diagnosed using the Nugent scoring system. Candida infection was diagnosed by microscopic examination and by culture. RESULTS: Candida spp. was the most common pathogen, documented by microscopy and culture in 35.5% of symptomatic women and 15% of asymptomatic controls (P < 0.001). Detection by culture only (negative microscopy) was documented in 18.7% of symptomatic patients and 15% of controls (P = 0.5). Bacterial vaginosis (Nugent score > or = 7) was diagnosed in 23.5% of patients and 13% of controls (P = 0.04). Trichomoniasis was present in 8.1% of symptomatic women and 4% of controls (P = 0.1). The main risk factors were antibiotic use for candidiasis and lack of use of oral contraception and condom use for trichomoniasis. CONCLUSION: Candida was by far the most common pathogen detected in our population. A statistically significant difference between patients and controls was noted for the prevalence of microscopically diagnosed candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis.

Adult↗

In-vivo measurement of spin lattice relaxation time (T1) of bone marrow in healthy volunteers: the effects of age and sex.

Magnetic resonance images of the spine, sternum, femoral heads and upper femoral shafts were obtained from 90 healthy volunteers to determine the normal ranges of spin lattice relaxation time (T1) for different regions of the bone marrow. The influence of age, sex and oral contraceptive usage on bone marrow T1 was assessed. Differences observed between the T1 of the various regions of the bone marrow examined were consistent with the expected distribution of erythropoietic cells and fatty marrow. Bone marrow T1 was found to decrease with age, significantly lower mean T1 values being observed in subjects over 40 years of age than for those in the 20-40 years age group. The mean bone marrow T1 of females in the 20-40 years age group was significantly higher than that for males of comparable age. For subjects over 40 years of age, the difference in bone marrow T1 observed between males and females was not significant. Oral contraceptive usage had no effect on bone marrow T1.

Adult↗

Combined oral contraceptives do not increase the risk of back and pelvic pain during pregnancy or after delivery.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate whether the duration of previous use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) is associated with disabling back or pelvic pain during pregnancy and pain persisting eight months after delivery. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to a group of women at 36 weeks of pregnancy and eight months after their delivery. There were no exclusion criteria. Disabling pain was defined as moderate or severe pain restricting physical activity. Multiple logistic regression analysis of disabling pain during pregnancy and persistent pain after delivery comprised the duration of COC use adjusted for age, pain in a previous pregnancy and a history of back pain when not pregnant. RESULTS: The study comprised 161 women. Pain during pregnancy was classified as disabling in 57 of the women (35%), pain in a previous pregnancy being a risk factor, odds ratio (OR) 5.0 (95% CI 2.1; 12.1), whereas no association was found with the duration of COC use. Persistent pain eight months after delivery was reported by 41 women (26%), risk factors being a history of back pain when not pregnant; OR 7.5 (2.8; 19.5), disabling pain in the recent pregnancy; OR 5.0 (1.9; 13.4), and short use of COC; 0-<1 year; OR 4.2 (1.3; 12.9), 1-<5 years; OR 4.6 (1.5; 14.4) (reference=>10 years). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that non- or short term users of COC have an increased risk of persistent pain after delivery compared to long term users. No association was found between the duration of COC use and back or pelvic pain during pregnancy.

Adult↗

The clinical acceptability of a non-medicated vaginal ring.

In an open study the acceptability of a newly designed vaginal ring was evaluated. The ring, being developed for contraceptive purposes, was made of Silastic and did not contain any medication. Three groups of 10 healthy female volunteers were selected after informed consent. The 6 nulliparous and 24 parous women were equally distributed over the 3 groups. The volunteers were instructed to insert the ring as high in the vagina as possible. In each group a ring of a different stiffness was used for 3 cycles. The first cycle started with the insertion of the ring on day 5 of the menstrual cycle or on the day oral contraception was started. Each cycle consisted of 21 days of vaginal ring use, followed by a 7-day ring-free interval. Expulsions, reasons for removal and complaints were recorded. Vaginal cultures were obtained before insertion and after the third cycle. The vaginal ring was well accepted. There were no differences between the three groups of women using rings of different stiffness. Twenty-two women completed all 3 cycles. Four women (3 nulliparous) stopped after one day. One of the nulliparous women who stopped after one day complained of expulsions, the only one in the study. The 4 women who stopped after a longer period were all parous. In the first cycle several women complained of vaginal discharge, coital problems or foreign body feeling. The complaints decreased in the second cycle and almost disappeared in the third. The rings had no influence on the vaginal flora.

Adult↗

Succinylcholine pharmacodynamics in peripartum patients.

Serum cholinesterase activity decreases 30% during pregnancy and remains depressed during the postpartum period. However, succinylcholine recovery is not prolonged in term-pregnant patients. This contrasts with results obtained in other patients with decreased serum cholinesterase activity. To better understand this paradox, the authors compared serum cholinesterase activity and recovery from succinylcholine, 1 mg/kg, in nonpregnant (with and without oral contraceptive use), in term-pregnant, and in postpartum patients. Serum cholinesterase activity was lower in both term-pregnant (3.66 +/- 0.39 U/ml, means +/- SE) and postpartum (2.84 +/- 0.35 U/ml) patients than in nonpregnant patients not taking oral contraceptives (5.01 +/- 0.33 U/ml, P less than 0.05). Cholinesterase activity in postpartum patients also was significantly lower than in nonpregnant patients taking oral contraceptives (4.81 +/- 0.63, P less than 0.05). In contrast, the time to 25% twitch-height recovery did not differ between term-pregnant (470 +/- 56 s) and nonpregnant patients taking (499 +/- 29 s) or not taking (501 +/- 21 s) oral contraceptives, but was significantly increased in postpartum patients (685 +/- 22 s, P less than 0.001). The similar duration of action of succinylcholine in term-pregnant patients (with decreased serum cholinesterase activities) and nonpregnant patients may be related to the increased volume of distribution of succinylcholine at term.

Adult↗

Use of oral contraceptives and serum beta-carotene.

OBJECTIVE: Antioxidants, in particular carotenoids, may influence the risk for cardiovascular disease. This study investigates the influence of oral contraceptives (OC) on the serum concentration of beta-carotene, which may in turn affect the risk of cardiovascular diseases due to its antioxidative impact. DESIGN: Cross-sectional epidemiologic study. Examinations included a detailed questionnaire on medical history and lifestyle factors, a 7 day food record, and blood samples. SETTING: National health and nutrition survey among healthy people living in private homes in West Germany in 1987-1988. SUBJECTS: Nonpregnant and nonlactating women aged 18-44 (n = 610). RESULTS: Overall, the use of OC was negatively associated with serum beta-carotene concentration in bi- and multivariable analyses after adjustment for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary intake of beta-carotene, use of vitamin supplements, body mass index, pregnancies, and serum concentrations of total triglyceride and cholesterol. A strong interaction between OC use and age on beta-carotene concentration was observed. While no relationship between OC use and serum beta-carotene was seen in the youngest age-group (18-24 y), there was a modest but significant negative association between OC use and beta-carotene levels among 25-34 y old women. The use of OC was associated with a strong decrease in beta-carotene levels among 35-44 y old women. The interaction between OC use and age could partly be explained by age dependent use of OC with higher estrogen content. CONCLUSIONS: OC use seems to be strongly related to serum beta-carotene levels, particularly among women above the age of 35. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of this association and its implications for health risks of OC use.

Adolescent↗

Barriers to condom use among heterosexual male and female college students.

The authors used a questionnaire to assess gender differences in barriers to condom use among 198 female and 89 male heterosexual undergraduate college students. Participants were divided into three groups--consistent users, inconsistent users, and nonusers--based on their reported condom use. Factor analyses on each gender revealed similar barrier factor structures, but the barriers explained more of the variance in condom use among women than among men. Of the 9 or 10 predictors assessed, the low perceived need barrier was the most powerful predictor of condom use for both genders. Male and female participants who were nonusers, in a current monogamous relationship, and using oral contraceptives were more likely to report a low perceived need to use condoms. Implications for future research are discussed.

Adult↗

Human disposition and some biochemical aspects of methylxanthines.

The human disposition of caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine is essentially characterized by rapid and complete gastrointestinal absorption; minimal first pass metabolism; distribution throughout the total body water; extensive and, in the case of caffeine almost complete, biotransformation in the liver; and elimination of metabolites from the body via the kidneys. Methylxanthine metabolism is affected by such factors as diet, smoking, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, age, and disease state. These factors have been studied extensively in relationship to caffeine disposition, less so for theophylline, and minimally for theobromine as well as the metabolites of these compounds, in particular paraxanthine and the diaminouracils. The facts that the loss of the 3-methyl group from caffeine to form 1,7-dimethylxanthine (paraxanthine) is the preferential path of metabolism in humans and that an acetylated diaminouracil is one of the major end-products of caffeine metabolism would indicate the need for additional studies of these compounds. The variability often associated with caffeine disposition may be in part genetic in origin since the population is generally biomodally distributed in its ability to acetylate molecules possessing an amino functional group. In addition, caffeine metabolism may be useful as a diagnostic tool to determine an individual's ability to acetylate and thus eliminate potentially harmful compounds from the body, as well as a measure of liver function in terms of enzymatic metabolizing ability.

Caffeine↗

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women: a need for universal screening in high prevalence populations?

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen. Nevertheless, selective, rather than universal, screening for chlamydia has been recommended, largely because testing is expensive and requires considerable technical expertise. A total of 1,348 women in four family planning clinics in San Francisco, California, were screened from March 1987 to January 1988 to identify criteria for selective screening. Of these, 9.2% had a positive chlamydia test using direct fluorescence. Logistic regression analysis identified five factors associated with infection: age less than 25 years, cervical friability, single marital status, a new sexual partner within the past 3 months, and lack of barrier contraceptive use. No single risk factor or combination of risk factors had both a high sensitivity and a high positive predictive value for infection. While screening all women who were unmarried would detect 93% of those with chlamydia, the positive predictive value of 10.7% was not much higher than the overall prevalence. Conversely, screening all women with cervical friability, which had a positive predictive value of 23.2%, would only detect 11% of those with chlamydia. On the basis of the authors' findings, selective screening should not be used in high prevalence populations in which all women are at risk and should be screened for chlamydia.

Adolescent↗

Bromazepam pharmacokinetics: influence of age, gender, oral contraceptives, cimetidine, and propranolol.

Pharmacokinetics of the benzodiazepine bromazepam were evaluated in volunteer subjects who received single 6 mg oral doses followed by blood sampling during the next 48 hours. Age and gender effects were studied in 32 subjects, divided into young (aged 21 to 29 years) and elderly (aged 60 to 81 years) groups. Compared with young subjects, the elderly had significantly higher peak serum bromazepam concentrations (132 vs. 82 ng/ml), smaller volume of distribution (0.88 vs. 1.44 L/kg), lower oral clearance (0.41 vs. 0.76 ml/min/kg), and increased serum free fraction (34.8% vs. 28.8% unbound). However, gender had no significant influence on bromazepam kinetics. In 11 young female users of oral contraceptive steroids, compared with seven age- and weight-matched control women not using oral contraceptives, no differences in bromazepam kinetics were observed. Coadministration of cimetidine (1.2 gm daily) significantly reduced bromazepam clearance (0.41 vs. 0.82 ml/min/kg) and prolonged elimination half-life (29 vs. 23 hours). Propranolol (160 mg daily) significantly prolonged bromazepam half-life (28 vs. 23 hours), but the reduction in clearance associated with propranolol (0.65 vs. 0.82 ml/min/kg) did not reach significance. Bromazepam has the pharmacokinetic characteristics of benzodiazepines with half-life values between 20 and 30 hours. Consistent with its biotransformation pathway by hepatic microsomal oxidation, bromazepam clearance is significantly impaired in elderly individuals, by coadministration of cimetidine and possibly propranolol.

Administration, Oral↗

[Emergency contraception in Latin America and the Caribbean].

Introducing the post-coital birth control method in the family-planning services of Latin American countries has not been an easy task. Catholic and other conservative groups with great influence in the political arena have time and again stopped it from being adopted as an alternative method and have even succeeded in having it removed from official directives after formal acceptance by health authorities. The main objections are triggered by the erroneous supposition that "emergency contraception" pills are abortifacients. However, a large dose of cultural discrimination against women seems also to be involved. It has been extremely difficult to register dedicated products and make them available in drug-stores and even more difficult to distribute them without charge at public health centers. They are hard to find, expensive, and unavailable to adolescents at risk for unwanted pregnancies and to most low-income women, especially in rural areas. Dissemination of appropriate information has been scarce and slow and there are still great numbers of people that do not understand how or why the method works. Brazil has been the only exception, as its open society has readily accepted this method of contraception. The Latin American Consortium on Emergency Contraception founded in the year 2000 and its regional conference two years later had an important impact on the situation, as they encouraged the coordination of efforts by governmental and nongovernmental entities with those of women's groups to fight for sexual and reproductive rights. A number of studies have shown that the more people learn about emergency contraception, the more they find it acceptable and necessary, and radio spots and other media techniques have begun to educate the public about this matter. In spite of the many difficulties encountered, in the last few years several countries have made strides to include this method in their public health guidelines. However, because of the powerful forces against it, accessibility and distribution of the emergency pills are not always implemented as planned and there are still many areas that require work. Details are given on the situation in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru.

Adolescent↗

The determinants of IUD discontinuation in China: a discrete-time competing risk model analysis.

This research examines the social, demographic, and family-planning-program factors that influence the occurrence of IUD discontinuation among Chinese women, using a sample of 14,639 IUD use segments from the 1988 Chinese National Survey of Fertility and Contraceptive Prevalence. A discrete-time competing-risk event history method is employed to identify the determinants of IUD discontinuation by five kinds of reasons: contraceptive failure, expulsion, switching method, side-effects and other nonmethod-related reasons. The predictors of IUD discontinuation suggest that a number of mechanisms are in operation. Some of the determinants may reflect the effects of the family planning program; some may illustrate women's physiological and biological reactions to IUD's; some may be related to women's previous history of contraceptive use; and still others may indicate social characteristics of women that lead them to have their IUD's removed.

Adult↗

A clinical pharmacological study of a new type of vaginal delivery system for levonorgestrel.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of a new type of levonorgestrel-releasing vaginal device (with an in vitro release rate of 25 micrograms/24 h) were studied in a group of 18 normally menstruating women during a period of 90 days of continuous use. Peripheral blood samples were drawn three times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) during a pretreatment (control) cycle and during the 90 days (3 segments) of exposure to levonorgestrel and the levels of levonorgestrel, progesterone and estradiol were analyzed. Blood samples were also drawn at frequent intervals during the first day and daily during the first week with the devices in situ. In addition, endometrial biopsy specimens were obtained during days 20-22 of the control cycle and then 6 and 10 weeks following the insertion of the devices for morphometric analysis and for the assay of progesterone and estradiol levels. Following insertion of the devices, plasma levels rapidly rose to 1 nmol/l in 12 hours; a plateau of approximately 1.6 nmol/l was reached in 3-4 days, after which the plasma levels declined in a linear fashion with a daily average rate of 7.4 pmol/l to 60% of the initial level in 90 days' time. Of the 54 treatment segments of 30 days, 68% were anovulatory and 24% showed normal, ovulatory-like estradiol and progesterone levels. A complete set of three biopsies were obtained from 15 of the 18 subjects. Of the biopsies obtained during exposure to levonorgestrel only one exhibited signs of atrophy, 80% showed suppressed or arrested proliferation, and 10% had a normal cyclic appearance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Pills, injections and audiotapes: reaching couples in Pakistan.

An innovative social marketing intervention in Pakistan distributes audiocassettes via chemist shops and Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) to reach women in a segregated society with accurate information on hormonal contraceptives. Operations research was done to assess the utility of the cassette in knowledge dissemination and adoption of hormonal use. In total 187 structured questionnaires were completed with couples who had obtained a cassette. Listeners were significantly more knowledgeable than non-listeners about correct use of hormonals (OR = 8.6 for women and OR = 12.7 for men). Hormonal use increased from 12% to 25%. LHVs also organized discussion groups for women, and attending such a chat group was the strongest predictor for adoption of pills and injectables (OR = 4.15). Equivalent male groups are suggested to reach apprehensive men. By providing accurate information to urban couples and by acquiring a knowledgeable critical mass of satisfied users, the cassette could be a powerful catalyst to further contraceptive diffusion.

Adult↗

Sex difference of antifertility effect by passively immunized monoclonal sperm antibodies.

Sperm-specific monoclonal antibodies (MS 204, MS 207, HS 11, and HS 63) that had been shown to inhibit fertilization of mouse oocytes in vitro were used to passively immunize male and female mice. In vitro and in vivo fertilization experiments were performed to compare the efficacy of resulting antifertility effects owing to the presence of circulating sperm antibodies. When the sperm from the antibody-treated mice were recovered for insemination, a partial inhibition of fertilization of mouse oocytes in vitro was observed. However, under the same antibody dose that effectively inhibits the in vivo fertilization of treated female mice the fertilization rate of the treated male was not significantly reduced, when they were mated with normal superovulated females followed by in vitro embryo culture. Similarly, on day 9 after mating with the antibody-treated males, the number of fetuses in mated females was not significantly different from that of the control. In contrast, when the antibody-treated females were mated with the proven fertile males, the number of fetuses was significantly reduced in response to the antibody treatment. When I-125-labeled monoclonal sperm antibodies were used to passively immunize male mice, the percentage of antibodies recovered from epididymis (relative to that of blood) was not much different from that of other organs, except for lower percentages detected in brain and testis. In treated females, oviduct and uterus revealed the presence of relatively high percentages of antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The significance of oral contraceptives in causing chromosome anomalies in spontaneous abortions.

The significance of oral contraceptives in causing chromosome aberrations in the fetus was studied in 246 non-selected spontaneous abortuses using Q-banding technique. No significant difference in the frequency of abnormal karyotypes or in the sex ratio was found between 124 abortuses of women who had taken oral contraceptives in comparison with 122 abortuses of women who had never used oral contraceptives. The study did, however, show that women who had used oral contraceptives were significantly younger than women who had not used these pills. In addition, the gestational age of the chromosomally abnormal abortuses was on the average 6 days longer in the group of women who had used oral contraceptives than in the group who had not. The difference was significant only with regard to the karyotype 45,X.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗