Contraception for women: an evidence based overview

doi:10.1136/bmj.b2895

Published 7 August 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2895
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b2895

Clinical Review

Contraception for women: an evidence based overview

Jean-Jacques Amy, editor in chief¹, Vrijesh Tripathi, lecturer²

¹ European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, Opalfeneweg 3, B-1740 Ternat, Belgium, ² Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

Correspondence to: J-J Amy, Florencestraat, 62, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium jeanjacques.amy@skynet.be

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Combined oestrogen and progestogen contraceptivesinhibit ovulation. Their biological effects and safety profilesare similar regardless of route of administration

Progestogen-onlymethods act by various mechanisms and can be used by women inwhom oestrogens are contraindicated

Copper bearing intrauterinedevices combine the highest efficacy with the lowest cost. Thelevonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system reduces menstrualblood loss

When used correctly, the lactational amenorrhoeamethod prevents conception in more than 98% of women duringthe first six months after childbirth

Levonorgestrel-only emergencycontraceptive pills and copper bearing intrauterine devicesare valuable methods of emergency contraception

Emergency contraceptivepills prevent pregnancy; they should be taken as soon as possible,and not later than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse

Contraception allows parents to choose the number and spacingof children. Each year, family planning programmes prevent anestimated 187 million unintended pregnancies, including 60 millionunplanned births and 105 million abortions, and . . . [Full text of this article]

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