Unintended pregnancy remains a huge problem for the United States where ~50% of pregnancies are unplanned.  The best ways to decrease the rate of unplanned pregnancy are to educate women on the most effective methods of contraception while also facilitating the use of the most effective methods.  Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) include the Mirena IUD ...Read more >

This project aims to investigate the specific factors associated with the wantedness of first sexual experiences among a nationally representative sample of heterosexual young men aged 18-24 years in the 2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG). We will describe wantedness of first intercourse (Unwanted, Wanted, Ambivalent) by sociodemographic characteristics, relationship variables, and contraceptive use ...Read more >

Background and purpose: HIV positive women in the United States use less effective contraceptive methods than HIV negative women and continue to rely primarily on condoms. Integration or linking of HIV and family planning services could improve contraception use. Integration strategies should be based on the needs and preferences of the target population. We embarked ...Read more >

Although illegal abortion is believed to be widely practiced in Haiti, little data exists on such practices. This study aimed to learn about illegal abortion access, methods, knowledge sharing and perceived barriers to abortion related care. Additionally, we aimed to identify the proportion of visits to a public hospital’s maternity ward that were attributable to ...Read more >

Background: Unintended adolescent pregnancy continues to be a significant public health challenge in the US today, with up to 80% of teen pregnancies being unintended. Most unintended pregnancies are due to incorrect or inconsistent use of contraception. Long-acting, reversible contraceptives (the intrauterine device (IUD) and subdermal implant (implant)) are a potentially ideal contraceptive to address ...Read more >

Objective: To estimate the effect of oral midazolam on patient pain and anxiety perception during first-trimester surgical abortion. Methods: Between May and December 2013, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients between 6 0/7 and 10 6/7 weeks of gestation received 10 mg oral midazolam or placebo 30–60 minutes before surgical abortion. All patients ...Read more >

While IUDs are well-liked contraceptives, some patients will discontinue them within the first 9 months, and the experiences of these doctor-patient interactions are not well known. This study aims to describe the perspectives and experiences of patients and physicians when patients request an IUD removal within 9 months of insertion. In this qualitative study, we ...Read more >

Background:  Adolescents and young adults have the highest rates of unintended pregnancy in the US.  Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods are highly effective and are recommended as first line birth control methods for all women.  Less than 5% of adolescents who use birth control use LARC methods.  In our clinical setting, having a high pre-visit ...Read more >

Background: Of the 1.3 million women undergoing abortion procedures in the US annually, half have had a prior abortion.  Multiple studies have shown that when women use a long acting reversible contraceptive method (LARC) such as an IUD or a subdermal implant immediately following their abortion, their likelihood of having a repeat abortion is decreased. ...Read more >

The purpose of this study was to learn if women taking the ritonavir and other HIV medications in the class of protease inhibitors have lower levels of a birth control medication called norethindrone. Norethindrone (also called the mini pill) is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved progestin-only birth control pill used to prevent pregnancy. ...Read more >