In March 2024, the first over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptive in the United States – Opill – became available, which has the potential to increase contraceptive access. However, the $20 retail cost of Opill and challenges using insurance may be preventing many individuals from accessing it in retail settings. Instead, some may be accessing Opill from ...Read more >

Opill is the first daily oral contraceptive to be available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription in the United States and has the potential to significantly expand access to oral contraception for millions of Americans by reducing common barriers to access. However, despite research suggesting widespread interest in OTC contraception and Opill product availability since March ...Read more >

This proposal uses adolescent-generated “journey maps” to examine how young people in Baton Rouge, Louisiana navigate real-world access to over-the-counter oral contraception, highlighting the gap between availability and lived access in both retail and online settings. In restrictive sexual and reproductive health environments like Louisiana, adolescents face intersecting structural, informational, social, and financial barriers, and ...Read more >

Access to contraceptive services for low-income and other marginalized identities is central to reducing inequities in access to care. Telemedicine (TM) has the potential to expand access to care, but widespread use of TM for contraceptive care was limited prior to the COVID19 pandemic. The publicly funded family planning “safety net” system of Community Health ...Read more >

While procedural abortions are common outpatient procedures, achieving optimal pain and anxiety relief remains challenging, especially when pharmacologic options such as moderate sedation or general anesthesia are limited. Many patients also wish to avoid the potential risks and inconvenience associated with these options. Exploring alternative or adjunct methods for outpatient pain and anxiety control may ...Read more >

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects individuals of reproductive age and is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity during pregnancy, particularly in the setting of active disease or exposure to teratogenic medications. Clinical guidelines recommend proactive contraceptive counseling and pregnancy planning for individuals with SLE; however, real-world contraceptive use remains inconsistent, and unintended pregnancy ...Read more >

Surgical abortion is a common and safe procedure, yet many patients experience significant pain and anxiety despite the routine use of moderate sedation. Standard sedation regimens typically rely on opioids and benzodiazepines. However, institutional policies, safety limits, and provider preference can restrict dosing, leaving some patients with inadequate pain control during a physically and emotionally ...Read more >

Rationale: The clinical utility of induced demise prior to second-trimester abortion is debated. A proposed benefit of induced feticide is decreased blood flow to the uterus, thereby decreasing risk for blood loss during the procedure, however studies to further examine this change in physiology are needed. Objectives: (1) Analyze the change in uterine artery doppler ...Read more >

Substance use disorder (SUD) has risen dramatically in the US over the last several decades. However, the impact of SUD on reproductive health remains understudied. Individuals with SUD face a 70 percent higher likelihood of unintended pregnancy; and yet, no standardized guidelines exist on how to provide high quality contraceptive care for the SUD population. ...Read more >

This randomized double-masked superiority trial investigates the difference in perceived pain from osmotic dilator placement using a paracervical block of combined ketorolac and lidocaine compared to ibuprofen and paracervical block with lidocaine alone in patients desiring D&E at 16-24 weeks gestation. 76 patients who are seeking procedural abortion or management of fetal demise with D&E ...Read more >