Society of Family Planning clinical recommendations: Cervical preparation for dilation and evacuation at 20-24 weeks' gestation.

Although only 1.3% of abortions in the United States are between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation, these procedures are associated with elevated risks of morbidity and mortality. Adequate cervical preparation before dilation and evacuation (D&E) at 20-24 weeks' gestation reduces procedural risk. For this gestational range, at least one day of cervical preparation with osmotic dilators is recommended before D&E. The use of overnight osmotic dilators alone is sufficient for most D&Es at 20-24 weeks' gestation. Dilapan-S® dilators require a shorter time to achieve maximum dilation, may be more effective than laminaria and may increase the likelihood of success on the first D&E attempt. The use of adjunctive mifepristone administered one-day pre-operatively at the time of osmotic dilator placement, should be considered because evidence demonstrates that it makes D&E subjectively easier at 20-24 weeks without increasing side effects. While older studies suggest that two-days of serial osmotic dilators provide greater dilation than one day of dilators, adjunctive mifepristone may be comparable to a second day of dilators. Adjunctive misoprostol administered on the day of D&E does not appear to affect initial cervical dilation and procedure time and compared with mifepristone is associated with more side effects, such as pain and nausea. Using overnight mifepristone and same-day misoprostol without osmotic dilators at 20-24 weeks' gestation lengthens D&E procedure time and appears to increase immediate complications, at least among less experienced providers. Some evidence shows the feasibility of same-day cervical preparation before D&E at 20-24 weeks using Dilapan-S® with adjunctive misoprostol or serial repeat dosing of misoprostol, but same-day preparation should be limited to providers with significant experience with these regimens. The Society of Family Planning recommends preoperative cervical preparation before D&E at 20-24 weeks' gestation. Further studies are needed to clarify the best means of preparing the cervix in order to minimize abortion complications and improve outcomes in this gestational range.

Comparison of Tissue Yield Using Frictional Fabric Brush Versus Sharp Curettage For Endocervical Curettage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic yield of conventional endocervical curettage (ECC) with fabric-based ECC in a consistent physician group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study of patients who underwent ECC both before and after introduction of a fabric-based ECC device. Histologic examination of curettings was categorized as satisfactory, limited, or inadequate. The Kruskall-Wallis test was used to compare proportions of gross descriptions and final diagnoses between groups. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and July 2011, 9234 ECCs were performed using conventional ECC technique. From September 2011 to October 2013, 774 ECCs were performed with the fabric-based ECC. Using the conventional ECC technique, 7809 (84.6%) of specimens were satisfactory, 1037 (11.2%) were limited, and 388 (4.2%) were inadequate and repeat biopsy was recommended. With fabric ECC, 705 (91.1%) of specimens were satisfactory, 64 (8.3%) were limited, and 5 (0.6%) were inadequate, and repeat biopsy was recommended. There were significantly fewer inadequate specimens with the fabric-based ECC (4.2% vs 0.6%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Fabric-based ECC may significantly decrease inadequate and limited ECC specimens.

Long-acting reversible contraception in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Among adolescent pregnancies, 75% are unintended. Greater use of highly-effective contraception can reduce unintended pregnancy. Although multiple studies discuss adolescent contraceptive use, there is no consensus regarding the use of long-acting reversible contraception as a first-line contraception option. OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review of the medical literature to assess the continuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives among adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Ovid-MEDLINE, Cochrane databases, and Embase databases were searched using key words relevant to the provision of long-acting contraception to adolescents. Articles published from January 2002 through August 2016 were selected for inclusion based on specific key word searches and detailed review of bibliographies. For inclusion, articles must have provided data on method continuation, effectiveness, or satisfaction of at least 1 long-acting reversible contraceptive method in participants <25 years of age. Duration of follow-up had to be ≥6 months. Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods included intrauterine devices and the etonogestrel implant. Only studies in the English language were included. Guidelines, systematic reviews, and clinical reviews were examined for additional citations and relevant points for discussion. Of 1677 articles initially identified, 90 were selected for full review. Of these, 12 articles met criteria for inclusion. All studies selected for full review were extracted by multiple reviewers; inclusion was determined by consensus among authors. For studies with similar outcomes, forest plots of combined effect estimates were created using the random effects model. The meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology guidelines were followed. Primary outcomes measured were continuation of method at 12 months, and expulsion rates for intrauterine devices. RESULTS: This review included 12 studies, including 6 retrospective cohort studies, 5 prospective observational studies, and 1 randomized controlled trial. The 12 studies included 4886 women age <25 years: 4131 intrauterine device users and 755 implant users. The 12-month continuation of any long-acting reversible contraceptive device was 84.0% (95% confidence interval, 79.0-89.0%). Intrauterine device continuation was 74.0% (95% confidence interval, 61.0-87.0%) and implant continuation was 84% (95% confidence interval, 77.0-91.0%). Among postpartum adolescents, the 12-month long-acting reversible contraceptive continuation rate was 84.0% (95% confidence interval, 71.0-97.0%). The pooled intrauterine device expulsion rate was 8.0% (95% confidence interval, 4.0-11.0%). CONCLUSION: Adolescents and young women have high 12-month continuation of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. Intrauterine devices and implants should be offered to all adolescents as first-line contraceptive options.

Changes in Insurance Status in CHOICE Project Participants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in insurance status of the Contraceptive CHOICE Project (CHOICE) participants between enrollment and long-term (5-year) follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: A random sample of 463 CHOICE participants who received an intrauterine device between January 2008 and June 2009 were contacted for a follow-up telephone survey (median follow-up time, 69.6 months). This sub-study compares the insurance statuses at enrollment and at follow-up using a related samples McNemar test. RESULTS: This analysis includes the 311 women who consented to participate in the follow-up survey and provided insurance status information. These women had a mean age of 34 years, 51% were white, and 19% had a household income below 100% of the federal poverty level. We noted a statistically significant change in insurance status over this time period (41% uninsured at time of enrollment, 24% uninsured at time of follow-up; p<0.001). Multinomial analysis showed that a change to full-time employment was associated with gaining insurance (RR= 1.97, 95% CI 1.12-3.47). CONCLUSION: Women in this study were more likely to gain insurance than lose insurance between enrollment in CHOICE and at the time of follow-up. Since insurance status is associated with positive health outcomes, this improvement in insurance status is promising.

Long-term utilization and continuation of intrauterine devices.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the 48 and 60 month continuation rates of levonorgestrel (LNG) and copper (Cu) intrauterine devices (IUDs) among women enrolled in the Contraceptive CHOICE Project (CHOICE). Our primary outcome was continuation at 48 months. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study of women who received an IUD through CHOICE. We randomly selected women who had either LNG or Cu IUDs inserted between January 2008 and June 2009 and contacted them by telephone. Once contacted and consented, they were asked whether they were still using their IUD. Women who reported discontinuation of the IUD were asked for the reasons and subsequent contraceptive use. Survival analysis using Cox proportional hazards was performed to assess for factors associated with discontinuation and to calculate hazard ratios. RESULTS: Of the 460 women we attempted to contact, 321 (70%) were reached for interviews. Continuation data on the remaining 139 women were available from CHOICE and its substudies. Continuations at 48 and 60 months were 62.3% and 51.7% for LNG IUD and 64.2% and 55.9% for the Cu IUD, respectively. Continuation at 48 months was highest among women older than 29 years of age at insertion (LNG IUD, 72.5%; Cu IUD, 77.1%). Women younger than 24 years of age had the lowest 48 month continuation (LNG IUD, 55.4%, and Cu IUD, 53.2%). In univariable and multivariable analysis, demographic characteristics, menstrual profile, and pregnancy history were not associated with discontinuation. Age older than 29 years was associated with less discontinuation than those 24-29 years of age (hazard ratio, 0.67, 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.96). CONCLUSION: IUD continuation remains high (> 60%) at 48 months with no difference between Cu and LNG IUDs.

Three-year continuation of reversible contraception.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to estimate the 3-year continuation rates of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods and to compare these rates to non-LARC methods. STUDY DESIGN: The Contraceptive CHOICE Project (CHOICE) was a prospective cohort study that followed 9256 participants with telephone surveys at 3 and 6 months, then every 6 months for 2-3 years. We estimated 3-year continuation rates of baseline methods that were chosen at enrollment. The LARC methods include the 52-mg levonorgestrel intrauterine device; the copper intrauterine device, and the subdermal implant). These were then compared to rates to non-LARC hormonal methods (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive patch, and vaginal ring). Eligibility criteria for this analysis included participants who started their baseline chosen method by the 3-month survey. Participants who discontinued their method to attempt conception were censored. We used a Cox proportional hazard model to adjust for confounding and to estimate the hazard ratio for risk of discontinuation. RESULTS: Our analytic sample consisted of 4708 CHOICE participants who met inclusion criteria. Three-year continuation rates were 69.8% for users of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device, 69.7% for copper intrauterine device users, and 56.2% for implant users. At 3 years, continuation was 67.2% among LARC users and 31.0% among non-LARC users (P < .001). After adjustment for age, race, education, socioeconomic status, parity, and history of sexually transmitted infection, the hazard ratio for risk of discontinuation was 3-fold higher among non-LARC method users than LARC users (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 2.80-3.39). CONCLUSION: Three-year continuation of the 2 intrauterine devices approached 70%. Continuation of LARC methods was significantly higher than non-LARC methods.

Choice of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device, etonogestrel implant or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception after aspiration abortion.

OBJECTIVE: Women who have abortions are at high risk of contraception discontinuation and subsequent unintended pregnancy. The objective of this analysis was to identify factors associated with choice of highly effective, long-acting, progestin-only contraceptive methods after abortion. STUDY DESIGN: Women presenting for surgical abortion who selected the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD), the progestin implant or the progestin injection (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or DMPA) as their postabortion contraceptives were recruited to participate in a 1-year prospective cohort study. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression to identify factors associated with choosing long-acting reversible contraceptives (IUD or implant) compared to DMPA. RESULTS: A total of 260 women, aged 18-45 years, enrolled in the study, 100 of whom chose the IUD, 63 the implant and 97 the DMPA. The women were 24.9 years old on average; 36% were black, and 29% were Latina. Fifty-nine percent had had a previous abortion, 66% a prior birth, and 55% were undergoing a second-trimester abortion. In multivariable analyses, compared with DMPA users, women who chose the IUD or the implant were less likely to be currently experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV); reported higher stress levels; weighed more; and were more likely to have finished high school, to have used the pill before and to report that counselors or doctors were helpful in making the decision (all significant at p<.05, see text for relative risk ratios and confidence intervals.) In addition, women who chose the IUD were less likely to be black (p<.01), and women who chose the implant were more likely to report that they would be unhappy to become pregnant within 6 months (p<.05) than DMPA users. CONCLUSION: A variety of factors including race/ethnicity, past contraceptive use, feelings towards pregnancy, stress and weight were different between LARC and DMPA users. Notably, current IPV was associated with choice of DMPA over the IUD or implant, implying that a desire to choose a hidden method may be important to some women and should be included in counseling. IMPLICATIONS: In contraceptive counseling, after screening for IPV, assessing patient's stress and taking a history about past contraceptive use, clinicians should discuss whether these factors might affect a patient's choice of method.

Association of short-term bleeding and cramping patterns with long-acting reversible contraceptive method satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the short-term (3- and 6-month), self-reported bleeding and cramping patterns with intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the contraceptive implant, and the association of these symptoms with method satisfaction. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed 3- and 6-month survey data from IUD and implant users in the Contraceptive CHOICE Project, a prospective cohort study. Participants who received a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [LNG-IUS], copper IUD, or the etonogestrel implant) and completed their 3- and 6-month surveys were included. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to examine the association of bleeding and cramping patterns with short-term satisfaction. RESULTS: Our analytic sample included 5011 Contraceptive CHOICE Project participants: 3001 LNG-IUS users, 826 copper IUD users, and 1184 implant users. At 3 months, >65% of LNG-IUS and implant users reported no change or decreased cramping, while 63% of copper IUD users reported increased menstrual cramping. Lighter bleeding was reported by 67% of LNG-IUS users, 58% of implant users, and 8% of copper IUD users. Satisfaction of all LARC methods was high (≥90%). LARC users with increased menstrual cramping (relative risk adjusted [RRadj], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.85), heavier bleeding (RRadj, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.92), and increased bleeding frequency (RRadj, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.67-0.80) were less likely to report being very satisfied at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the LARC method, satisfaction at 3 and 6 months is very high. Changes in self-reported bleeding and cramping are associated with short-term LARC satisfaction.

Do colposcopically directed biopsy and endocervical curettage serve to induce regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the clinical and demographic characteristics that could influence regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) from colposcopy to excision, and evaluated the association of the performance of multiple biopsies and endocervical curettage (ECC) with regression of high-grade (CIN2+) by the time of excisional therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis of 555 patients who had abnormal screening and who underwent colposcopy followed by cervical excision procedures for CIN2+ or high-risk status. We assessed demographic variables, referral reason, colposcopic findings, and the latency between colposcopic biopsy and excision to which we correlated the likelihood of regression of disease on the excisional specimen. RESULTS: Mean age was 39 years, and median interval from colposcopy to excision was 48 days. Neither demographics nor colposcopic findings influenced the probability of regression. Patients with shorter intervals between colposcopy biopsy and excision exhibited a higher rate of regression (p=.04). The addition of ECC to colposcopy was associated with regression (p=.002). CONCLUSIONS: During routine colposcopic practice using punch biopsy and ECC when indicated, regression was less likely with longer latency from colposcopy to excision. This was possibly owing to emergence and documentation of persistent occult neoplasia. The effect of intentional complete biopsy excision with conventional tools as a potential therapeutic intervention was not evaluated.

Secondary prevention of cervical cancer part 1: screening for cervical cancer and its precursors.

Discussion of screening for cervical cancer and it precursors, management of abnormal cervical cancer screening test, and evidence-based management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.