Transmasculine individuals – i.e., people assigned a female sex at birth who self-identify as men, male, transgender men, female-to-male (FTM), or a non-binary gender identity along the masculine continuum – are at risk of unintended pregnancy. However, transmasculine people face substantial barriers to health care that may undermine their access to and utilization of contraceptive ...Read more >

The etonogestrel (ENG) implant is the most effective contraceptive method available. However, its use is complicated in high-HIV prevalence settings: data show reduced implant contraceptive efficacy during efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), the first-line ART in resource-poor areas, due to drug-drug interactions. New, more effective strategies for concomitant ART-implant use need to be identified. Dolutegravir-based ART, ...Read more >

Sexual minority females (i.e., lesbians and bisexuals) are at an increased risk for teen pregnancy and need access to abortion services. This population reports established risk factors for teen pregnancy, such as earlier sexual initiation, more frequently than heterosexuals. It has been suggested, though not empirically examined, that this group of young women may have ...Read more >

Objectives: We assessed the incidence of abortion-related emergency department (ED) visit use in the US. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study using 2009-2013 data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), a nationally representative sample of US ED visits. We estimated the proportion of ED visits among women of reproductive age that were for ...Read more >

Background: Many women who intend to use long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) postpartum do not follow through with placement. The objectives of this study were to determine whether support from a contraceptive personal assistant could increase the uptake of LARCs by three months postpartum, and to identify risk factors for non-uptake of LARCs among women who ...Read more >

Objectives: In 2005, Ethiopia enacted a rare reform, liberalizing its abortion law as part of the overhaul of the country’s Criminal Code. The reform’s aim was to reduce the country’s high levels of maternal mortality, which are due in part to unsafe abortion. This research explores the roles of Obstetrician-Gynecologists (Ob-Gyns) and the Ethiopian Society ...Read more >

Objectives: The objective of this study was to complete research about contraception and the consequences of unwanted pregnancy in Zanzibar, and to disseminate research findings to in-country champions, policy-makers and practitioners. Methods: This multi-method study in the semi-autonomous archipelago region of Zanzibar, Tanzania included five components: semi-structured group discussions with men and women in five ...Read more >

Our goal is to strengthen human resources for abortion care. In this study we test hypotheses generated in our pilot study of the Providers Share workshop. Providers Share is a supportive group intervention in which participants use discussion, journaling, and artwork to share experiences of abortion work and its impact on emotional lives and relationships. ...Read more >

Objective: Although immediate post-placental IUD insertion is considered safe and effective, later postpartum insertions have been discouraged. We conducted this study to assess acceptability and feasibility of conducting a clinical trial to investigate insertion of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) 10 minutes to 48 hours after vaginal delivery. Methods: Prospective clinical study of women enrolled ...Read more >

Prostaglandin inhibitors may be a viable alternative to the currently available hormonal contraceptive methods. Hormonal contraception, although highly effective, is not tolerated by some women, and contraindicated in others. Hormonal emergency contraception works primarily by inhibition of ovulation, and therefore fails in women who use the method after release of the oocyte. Studies have shown ...Read more >