Contraception

Analysis and Comment (7)

Npd7shyk-1363649535
Pharmacists could have an empathetic conversation with women rather than having them fill in an intrusive questionnaire. Tim Parkinson

Note to pharmacists on how not to sell the morning-after pill

By Safeera Hussainy, Monash University and Angela Taft, La Trobe University

The emergency contraceptive pill (morning-after pill) contains a hormone called levonorgestrel and can be bought without a prescription. It’s used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, but many women…
F86gym4d-1347324069
A much wider group of Australian women will be able to choose a medical rather than surgical procedure. spaceodissey/Flickr

Politics v women’s health: RU486 and the TGA saga

By Kerry Petersen, La Trobe University

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) finally included the abortifacient Mifepristone (also referred to as RU486) on the Australia Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) in August 2012 – after nearly…
Dqpcjrzg-1346975029
A vaginal ring could one day prevent pregnancy and STIs… but it’s still a long way off. Flickr/dhammza

Preventing pregnancy and STIs: the quest for the ultra contraceptive

By Lois Salamonsen, Prince Henry's Institute

By 2020, 1.2 billion people or 16% of the world’s population will be entering their childbearing years, with 90% of these in the developing world. Along with education, the availability of effective contraception…
Ctqk3pvg-1342675610
Some women question the long-term impact of the contraceptive pill on their fertility. J. Stephen Conn

Monday’s medical myth: the pill affects long-term fertility

By Sonia Davison, Monash University

The combined oral contraceptive pill is the most popular form of contraception in Australia and is taken by an estimated 100 million women worldwide. The pill’s most obvious use is to prevent pregnancy…
X26qzmx6-1342572938
Why is philanthropist Melinda Gates dedicating the rest of her life to improving women’s access to contraception? DFID UK Department for International Development

Contraception: best for women, babies and the planet

By Lois Salamonsen, Prince Henry's Institute and Gui-Ying Nie, Prince Henry's Institute

Melinda Gates’ vow to put the availability of contraception back on the global health agenda – even if it means going against the Pope – has provided a welcome voice for logic and compassion. Speaking…
402680205_367492b0ac_o
The question of sexual attraction is far too complex to be explained pheromones alone. hawk684/Flickr

Why the contraceptive pill won’t stop you sniffing out your soulmate

By Terri Foran

Any mother collecting sweaty T-shirts left in a pile in the corner of their teenage son’s bedroom can attest to how unpleasant this task is. What might surprise them is that the experience may not be nearly…

Research and News (1)

Research Briefs (6)

Birth control pill shrinks bones

University of Washington

Using the birth control pill may reduce a woman’s bone density, according to US university researchers. Women using a pill…

Participants (63)