Contraceptive News and Research

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Male contraceptive research gaining attention from scientists

The New York Times on Saturday examined research into several different methods of male contraception. "Male contraceptives are attracting growing interest from scientists, who believe they hold promise for being safe, effective and, also important, reversible," the newspaper writes.

25 Jul 2011

Infanticide and attempted infanticide common crimes among inmates in Malian capital's women's prison

"Infanticide or attempted infanticide has become the most common crime after theft and assault among inmates at the prison for women and girls" in Mali's capital city Bamako, the Associated Press/San Francisco Chronicle reports.

25 Jul 2011

IAS conference concludes with positive news on HIV prevention

"Scientists on Wednesday wrapped up their biggest forum in the 30-year history of AIDS, unveiling stunning weapons to prevent the spread of HIV," Agence France-Presse reports about the 6th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Rome.

22 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Will Gang of Six compromise work?; endorsing birth control recommendations; Minn. budget deal

Not surprisingly, the plan has drawn complaints from the left about cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and from the right about defense cuts and tax increases. But the senators are right about the need to simplify and broaden the tax code and to put entitlements on a sustainable footing without slashing aid to the most vulnerable.

22 Jul 2011

Taller women more prone to cancer: Study

New research has shown that taller women could be more prone to suffering from cancer. The British study published online in the medical journal The Lancet on Thursday said cancer risk rose about 16% for every 4-inch rise in height. Increasing height heightened the chances of cancers of breast, ovary, womb, bowel, leukemia and malignant melanoma (skin cancer) the study found.

21 Jul 2011

Women in embattled regions have limited access and means to use contraceptives

Violent conflict disrupts all aspects of society, including the delivery of the most basic reproductive health services: prenatal and maternal care, family planning, prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, abortions and emergency caesarian care.

21 Jul 2011

IOM panel recommends insurance coverage for contraception

The recommendation by the Institute of Medicine advises that contraceptives for women be treated as one of the several preventive services provided free of charge under the new health law.

21 Jul 2011

Male infertility cause found in defective gene

Researchers have found a new cause of infertility that could allow millions of infertile couples around the world to have a child. The team found a common gene mutation that causes sperm to be far less able to swim through the mucus of the cervix and reach the egg.

20 Jul 2011

PBS Newshour series examines health challenges in Indonesia

PBS Newshour's global health unit on Monday began a four-part series examining major health challenges in Indonesia, which "sheds light on the diverse nation's changing political landscape, deplorable conditions for people there with severe mental illness, the effect of rising food prices and research into a plant that could be used as a male contraceptive," the Newshour's "The Rundown" blog states.

20 Jul 2011

IOM to issue report on preventive health care services for women

Is there nothing in last year's Affordable Care Act that people won't fight over? The latest battle is set to come to a head Wednesday, when the independent Institute of Medicine is expected to make recommendations about preventive health care services for women.

20 Jul 2011

Birth control pills may reduce woman's bone density

Birth control pills may reduce a woman's bone density, according to a study published online July 13 in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism by Group Health Research Institute (GHRI) scientists.

20 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 19, 2011

Kaiser Health News staff writer Christopher Weaver reports: "New consumer-controlled health insurance plans could get seed money from the government to increase competition - and maybe cut prices -- under new rules announced Monday by the Department of Health and Human Services".

19 Jul 2011

Thalidomide analog shows promise against sickle cell disease

A thalidomide analog is shaping up as a safe, worthy opponent of sickle cell disease, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers report.

19 Jul 2011

State roundup: Model insurance brings 'modest' savings

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' alternative quality contract, which Governor Deval Patrick has held up as a potential model for controlling health care costs, produced "modest" savings in its first year while yielding improved quality of care in some areas, according to a new study in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.

15 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: Teaching hospital cuts; Medicare & debt deal politics; end-of-life care

Teaching hospitals educate the next generation of physicians—who are clearly essential for our future. But the importance of academic medical centers and teaching hospitals goes far beyond delivering care.

15 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 14, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about how tempers are flaring in the midst of debt-ceiling negotiations, and how failure to reach an agreement could lead to tough choices about which of the nation's obligations will be left unpaid.

14 Jul 2011

Many women in war-torn areas unable to obtain family planning services

Many areas of the world are at war and both the conflict and aftermath have dire consequences for the health of people affected. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Conflict and Health reports that while women in war-torn areas want access to family planning, these services are often not available at local hospitals or health centers.

13 Jul 2011

Family planning essential for meeting world population's needs

"I'd like to pose the question: what more must we do to ensure the health, nutritional, and educational needs of all seven billion are met?" Scott Radloff, director of USAID's Office of Population and Reproductive Health, writes about World Population Day on the agency's "IMPACTblog."

13 Jul 2011

Romantic fiction bad for marriages and love life!

According to a warning in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) seemingly innocent and harmless romantic fiction may also be a cause of marital breakdown, adulterous affairs and unwanted pregnancies. This comes from an article in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, which said women struggle to distinguish between romantic fiction and real life.

10 Jul 2011

History of cancer increases risk for developing blood clotting issues following knee arthroscopy

A history of cancer was a significant risk factor for developing blood clotting issues following knee arthroscopy, according to a study being presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Annual Meeting in San Diego. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota analyzed the records of more than 12,000 patients who had undergone the common knee procedure.

8 Jul 2011