"Mulher, você não precisa disso": discursos em embate sobre a pílula e a supressão da menstruação / "Woman, you don't need this": Negotiation of discourses on the pill and menstrual suppression / "Mujer, no necesitas esto": Discursos en conflicto sobre la píldora y la supresión de la menstruación

Resumo O discurso médico do século XIX listava uma série de desordens físicas e mentais associadas aos órgãos reprodutivos das mulheres (Rohden, 2009). Um fenômeno corporal até hoje frequentemente construído como patológico é a menstruação (Vieira, 2002), para o qual existe uma ferramenta médica de intervenção amplamente empregada: a pílula anticoncepcional. Como o período menstrual é muitas vezes visto como um problema, sua interrupção por meio da ingestão contínua da pílula é recorrentemente propagada como a solução (Kissling, 2013). À luz dessas ideias, analiso como duas mulheres autoidentificadas como feministas negociam significados sobre a pílula, a menstruação e a supressão menstrual em entrevistas orais semiestruturadas. O objetivo do trabalho é investigar como sentidos biomédicos sobre o corpo feminino são discursivamente reificados, desafiados e corporificados.

Abstract Nineteenth century's medical discourse listed a series of physical and mental disorders caused by women's reproductive organs (Rohden, 2009). A bodily function that until nowadays has been frequently constructed as pathological is menstruation (Vieira, 2002), for which there is a widely employed medical tool of intervention: the contraceptive pill. As the period is often seen as a problem, its suppression through the uninterrupted use of the pill is recurrently advertised as the solution (Kissling, 2013). In light of these ideas, I analyse how two self-identified feminist women negotiate meanings around the pill, menstruation and menstrual suppression in semi-structured oral interviews. The purpose of the work is to investigate how biomedical meanings of the female body are discursively reified, challenged and embodied.

Resumen El discurso médico del siglo XIX enumeraba una serie de trastornos físicos y mentales asociados a los órganos reproductivos de la mujer (Rohden, 2009). Un fenómeno corporal que con frecuencia se interpreta como patológico es la menstruación (Vieira, 2002), para la cual existe una herramienta médica intervencionista ampliamente utilizada: la píldora anticonceptiva. Como el período menstrual a menudo se ve como un problema, su interrupción a través de la toma continua de la píldora se propaga recurrentemente como la solución (Kissling, 2013). A la luz de estas ideas, analizo cómo dos mujeres autoidentificadas como feministas negocian significados sobre la píldora, la menstruación y la supresión menstrual en entrevistas orales semiestructuradas. El objetivo de este trabajo es investigar cómo los significados biomédicos sobre el cuerpo femenino son materializados, cuestionados y encarnados discursivamente.

"Uma pílula difícil de engolir?" Representações sociais do anticoncepcional masculino no Facebook / "A hard pill to swallow?" Social representations of the male contraceptive pill on Facebook

Resumo A pílula anticoncepcional feminina é um dos principais métodos contraceptivos utilizados na atualidade; já a pílula anticoncepcional masculina, apesar de ter sido pensada há mais de 50 anos, ainda não é comercializada. O objetivo do presente trabalho é compreender aspectos psicossociais da dinâmica da sociedade em relação a novas formas contraceptivas e examinar se novas formas contraceptivas direcionadas ao corpo do homem seriam acatadas. Em março de 2018, a revista Superinteressante postou em sua página do Facebook uma reportagem sobre uma pílula anticoncepcional masculina que foi bem-sucedida em sua primeira fase de teste. A postagem gerou grande comoção e surgiram muitos comentários expressando diferentes opiniões sobre o assunto. Foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temático-categorial 294 comentários feitos nessa postagem. Os resultados revelam que esse método contraceptivo masculino aparece inscrito em um sistema representacional que salienta discussões sobre: efeitos colaterais da medicalização, a liberdade feminina, a ampliação da responsabilidade masculina na contracepção/cuidado com os filhos, a desconfiança em relação à postura feminina e outros aspectos que remetem a possíveis avanços científicos e sociais. Os dados analisados não podem ser generalizados, mas apontam para a aceitação de novas formas contraceptivas direcionadas ao corpo masculino.

ABSTRACT The female contraceptive pill is one of the main contraceptive methods used today, while the male contraceptive pill, despite being thought of more than 50 years ago, is not yet commercialized. This work aims to understand psychosocial aspects of the dynamics of society in relation to new forms of contraception and to examine whether new forms of contraception directed to the male body would be accepted. In March 2018, the magazine Superinteressante posted on Facebook a report about a male contraceptive pill that was successful in its first test phase ; the post generated great commotion and many comments emerged expressing different opinions on the subject. 294 comments made on this post were submitted to thematic-categorical content analysis. The results indicate that this male contraceptive method appears inscribed in a representational system that highlights discussions about: side effects of medicalization, female freedom, the expansion of male responsibility in contraception/child care, distrust of the female posture and other aspects that refer to possible scientific and social advances. The analyzed data cannot be generalized, but point to the acceptance of new forms of contraception aimed at the male body.

A study to compare acceptability, safety and continuation rates of combined hormonal pill and centchroman as post abortion contraceptives

Background: Centchroman a non-steroidal selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM). It is highly effective contraceptive which is devoid of side effects of COCs and there is prompt return of fertility upon discontinuation. Data in terms of its acceptability and continuation rates is limited when compared to combined oral contraceptive (COC). Therefore, the study was planned to study the acceptability, efficacy and continuation rates of centchroman and compare it with the combined oral contraceptives.Methods: The study was a prospective interventional comparative randomized study carried out in the department of obstetrics and gynecology VMMC and SJH, New Delhi, for a period of 18 months from November 2018 to April 2019.Results: A total of 945 women were screened and finally 240 women who met the criteria were recruited in 2 study groups of 120 women each. Majority were in the age group 18-28 years in either groups. Patients were followed up at 2nd week and then at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months after initiation of the OCP with no loss to follow up. The pearl index in this study was 0.83 for ormeloxifene. The study showed statistically significant differences with higher level of satisfaction reported with 77.5% in the ormeloxifene compared to 65% of COCs. The continuation rates for ormeloxifene and COC users were in decreasing trend with increase in duration. No untoward events were reported with either formulation.Conclusions: Both the hormonal, combined hormonal contraceptive [combined oral contraceptive (COC), MALA-N] and the non-hormonal, centchroman (ormeloxifene) oral contraceptive pills are safe, effective, well tolerated and not associated with adverse outcomes when used immediately after abortion. Continuation rates of the pills in both the groups decrease in trend with time.

A Review of the Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Nutrient Status, with Especial Consideration to Folate in UK

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used by a significant number of women, often commencing at early adolescence. Whilst most research has investigated the physiological effects of OCs, some studies have identified impacts upon nutritional status of certain vitamins and minerals. In this context, a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) is relevant, since women who take OCs-especially in less well-developed countries might not always have adequate diet. Furthermore, women whose life style is unhealthy, those with malabsorption pathologies, or have genetic polymorphisms that affect vitamin metabolism might also be at risk of the negative impacts on an individual’s nutrient status. This literature review investigates the effects that oral contraceptives might have upon nutrient status. It identifies potential interactions with Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E and folic acid as well as magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, co-enzyme Q10, and beta-carotene status. It then examines the possible consequences that induced depletion of folic acid might cause with especial focus on neural tubes defects in UK, where food supplementation with this vitamin is not yet mandatory. It suggests that in those using this form of contraception or hormone replacement therapy, it is valid to consider appropriate nutritional supplements as a complementary first line strategy in order to prevent possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies

The attitudes of Korean physicians toward emergency contraceptive pills: regarding women's access and rescheduling

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the attitude of Korean physicians toward women's access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and the reclassification of ECP to a behind-the-counter (BTC) drug. METHODS: This study involved 946 physicians who had prescribed ECP in South Korea. The written questionnaires were completed by obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians, internal medicine doctors, and pediatricians. RESULTS: Regarding the barriers limiting women's access to ECP, 24.8% of physicians responded that women lacked information about ECP and 22.5% felt that women were likely to be emotionally burdened by visits to clinics or hospitals to obtain ECP prescriptions. Ninety-two percent of physicians responded that ECP should remain a prescription drug while 6.1% stated preferences for a switch to a BTC drug. Physicians who opposed the switch were concerned about the potential abuse of ECP. In order to prevent ECP abuse, the most important factor to be considered was education on contraception. CONCLUSION: A majority of Korean physicians opposed the reclassification of ECP to a BTC drug owing to their belief in increasing the role of educational initiatives about contraception and contraceptive practices before improving the access to ECP. This study is also of the opinion that contraceptive education for youth and adults in Korea should be more realistic and active, with an emphasis on regular contraception use before reclassification. Furthermore, we believe that efforts are needed to ensure accuracy of information on contraception to facilitate women's access to ECP.

Determinantes en la elección de anticonceptivos en adolescentes consultantes en un centro de atención de salud sexual y reproductiva / Determinants in the choice of contraceptives in adolescents consulting in a sexual and reproductive health care center

ANTECEDENTES: Preferencias personales y prioridades son factores importantes a considerar cuando se elige un método anticonceptivo, y son aspectos claves en la toma de decisiones de la población adolescente. OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores más relevantes al seleccionar un método anticonceptivo y sus razones para elegir o rechazar cada uno de los métodos anticonceptivos disponibles en adolescentes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal analítico. Un cuestionario anónimo y auto-administrado se aplicó a 116 adolescentes que consultaron durante un año a un centro de salud sexual y reproductiva. RESULTADOS: El inyectable fue el método que más conocen y que más usan, seguido de la píldora. La eficacia, protección contra ITS y regular los períodos menstruales son las tres más importantes razones para elegir un MAC. Mientras que las razones más importantes para no elegir la píldora fue tener que recordar su uso cada día. En el caso del implante, el miedo y dolor al colocarlo y removerlo fue la razón más importante. CONCLUSIÓN: A pesar que la confiabilidad y uso de larga duración pueden ser muy importantes ventajas para posponer embarazo en adolescentes, el miedo al dolor e inserción hacen que los métodos de larga duración como el implante y dispositivos intrauterinos sean menos atractivos para adolescentes.

BACKGROUND: Personal preferences and priorities are important factors to consider when choosing a contraceptive method, key aspects in the decision making of the adolescent population. OBJECTIVE: To identify the most relevant factors when selecting a contraceptive method and its reasons for choosing or rejecting each of the contraceptive methods available in adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study. An anonymous and self-administered questionnaire was administered to 116 adolescents who consulted for a year in a sexual and reproductive health center. RESULTS: The injectable method was the most known and most used followed by the pill. Efficacy, protection against STIs and regulation of menstrual bleeding are the three most important reasons for choosing a MAC. While the most important reasons for not choosing the pill was to have to remember its use every day, in the case of the implant, it was the fear and pain to place it and removed it. CONCLUSIONS: Although reliability and long-term use may be very important advantages in postponing pregnancy in adolescents, fear of pain and insertion make long-lasting methods such as implant and intrauterine devices less attractive for adolescents.

Minor Side Effects, Tolerance and Discontinuation of Oral Contraception among Women in Rural Cambodia.

Contraceptive prevalence in Cambodia is relatively low, while maternal mortality, newborn mortality, and projected rates of abortion are high. Fears of side effects and health concerns appear to be the leading reasons for non-use of modern contraceptive methods. Data on contraceptive side effects was collected through a longitudinal study of women using oral contraception in rural Cambodia. Physical and perceived side effects were reported. One of the side effects reported, hot flashes, is not well documented. A perceived side effect which caused immediate discontinuation was that combined oral contraceptives cause fever and diarrhea in breastfed children. More common side effectswere well tolerated. An opportunity exists to increase demand for contraception in Cambodia; understanding and addressing specific side effects which are particularly bothersome or which cause discontinuation, such as hot flashes, is an important step to improving the demand for contraception among women and families. This study sought to gather data on the specific side effects women were concerned about in order to find solutions which might encourage use and continuation.

Study on the oral contraceptive pill use in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh city

The study on the oral contraceptive pill use in 722 women at reproductive age in 2003 was reported that: The highest rate of use oral contraceptive pill in the group of women at 26-49 years old (92.1%); Women educated from primary to high-school levels accounted for 74.1%; Women with 1-2 children accounted 84.5%; For income 60.6% of women with the range from 300000-700000VND/monthly. The most popular contraceptive pill was Ideal (76.2%). Adverse effects of taking pill were nausea (17.9%) and putting on weight (11.9%).