Contraception for the older woman: an update.

Although fertility declines with advancing age as the woman approaches the menopause, some risk of pregnancy persists, and effective contraception needs to be offered to avoid an unintended pregnancy. An older woman may have menstrual dysfunction or climacteric symptoms and these factors would need consideration when making the choice of contraception. Low-estrogen dose combined oral contraceptives may be prescribed to healthy non-smoking women up to about 50 years of age. The progestogen-only pill may be an appropriate option in an older woman with declining fertility. The copper intrauterine device is an optimal method for parous women free of pre-existing menstrual problems. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is considered the contraceptive method of choice for perimenopausal women with menstrual dysfunction. The woman should be provided with individualized advice so that she has a choice between the newer, effective, largely safe, reversible methods and sterilization.     

Contraception during perimenopause

Perimenopause marks the transition from normal ovulation to anovulation and ultimately to permanent loss of ovarian function. Fecundity, the average monthly probability of conception, declines by half as early as the mid-forties, however women during the perimenopause still need effective contraception. Issues arising at this period such as menstrual cycle abnormalities, vasomotor instability, the need for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease prevention, as well as the increased risk of gynecological cancer, should be taken into consideration before the initiation of a specific method of contraception. Various contraceptive options may be offered to perimenopausal women, including oral contraceptives, tubal ligation, intrauterine devices, barrier methods, hormonal injectables and implants. Recently, new methods of contraception have been introduced presenting high efficacy rates and minor side-effects, such as the monthly injectable system, the contraceptive vaginal ring and the transdermal contraceptive system. However, these new methods have to be further tested in perimenopausal women, and more definite data are required to confirm their advantages as effective contraceptive alternatives in this specific age group. The use of the various contraceptive methods during perimenopause holds special benefits and risks that should be carefully balanced, after a thorough consultation and according to each woman's contraceptive needs.     

Contraception during perimenopause.

Perimenopause marks the transition from normal ovulation to anovulation and ultimately to permanent loss of ovarian function. Fecundity, the average monthly probability of conception, declines by half as early as the mid-forties, however women during the perimenopause still need effective contraception. Issues arising at this period such as menstrual cycle abnormalities, vasomotor instability, the need for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease prevention, as well as the increased risk of gynecological cancer, should be taken into consideration before the initiation of a specific method of contraception. Various contraceptive options may be offered to perimenopausal women, including oral contraceptives, tubal ligation, intrauterine devices, barrier methods, hormonal injectables and implants. Recently, new methods of contraception have been introduced presenting high efficacy rates and minor side-effects, such as the monthly injectable system, the contraceptive vaginal ring and the transdermal contraceptive system. However, these new methods have to be further tested in perimenopausal women, and more definite data are required to confirm their advantages as effective contraceptive alternatives in this specific age group. The use of the various contraceptive methods during perimenopause holds special benefits and risks that should be carefully balanced, after a thorough consultation and according to each woman's contraceptive needs.     

Contraceptive choices in women with coagulation disorders

When compared with older reports on the thromboembolic effects of high-dose oral contraceptives, new studies with low-dose oral contraceptives have a significantly reduced risk of thromboembolism. In the absence of risk factors such as smoking or inherited disorders predisposing to thrombosis, the modern low-dose oral contraceptive (< 50 μg of estrogen) is a safe and effective choice for contraception in women without symptoms who have family histories of sporadic thromboembolism. An intrauterine device or some form of barrier method is recommended for women who have a personal history of venous thrombus disease. The low-dose oral contraceptive may be a good choice in women taking oral anticoagulants because of the risk of teratogenic effects of anticoagulants and the risks of intraperitoneal bleeding associated with ovulation. In addition, oral contraceptives help diminish the excessive menstrual bleeding often seen in these women. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;168:1990-3.)     

Recent developments in the clinical use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

This overview focuses on recent developments in the clinical use of the levonorgestrel- releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) on established indications. Recent studies confirm that the LNG-IUS is safe and equally effective for all age groups of women. All available studies showed that intrauterine contraception is more effective when compared to non-intrauterine contraceptive methods to prevent repeat abortions. Furthermore, insertion in young nulliparous women is acceptable in the majority of women and associated with high continuation rates. The effectivity of LNG-IUS appears to be similar in women with chronic medical conditions, including HIV infection or coagulation disorders, and healthy women. More and most importantly, it has no adverse effect on the underlying condition. We also discuss effects of LNG-IUS on bone mineral density, vaginal flora, cardiovascular risk factors and breast cancer. In treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, the LNG-IUS appears to be one of the most effective and cost-effective methods.     

Emergency contraception: What is new?

Unintended pregnancy rates remain high throughout the World and increase the risk of poor maternal and infant outcomes. Most of unintended pregnancies occur in women who were not using contraception or who became pregnant despite the reported use of contraception. Women who have had recent unprotected intercourse including those who have had another form of contraception fail are potential candidates for this intervention. Currently used emergency contraceptive methods are pills that contain combined estrogen-progesterone, only progestin, antiprogestins and copper intrauterine devices. The most common form of this type of contraception is oral progestin-only pills (levonorgestrel). The most effective method is copper intrauterine devices followed by anti-progestins and oral progestin-only pills. The major pathogenesis of oral emergency contraceptives is the prevention or delay of ovulation. Although conception is possible on only a few days of the cycle, emergency contraception is offered when indicated without regard to the timing of the menstrual cycle because of uncertainty in the timing of the ovulation. Levonorgestrel and E/P regimes are most effective as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. A linear relationship has been shown between effectiveness and the time of dose. The effectiveness continues for 120 h, but it is recommended to be used within 72 h after intercourse. Intrauterine devices may prevent pregnancy when 5 d after ovulation.     

Contraception in women with diabetes mellitus

Contraception in women suffering of diabetes mellitus is an important question mainly due to it has been proven that pregnancy outcome both for the fetus and for the mother depends on glycemic control before conception right to delivery. That's made planning of future pregnancy mandatory for patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients are advised for contraception until optimization of metabolic control has been achieved or until complete and contemporary treatment of the diabetes complications has been fulfilled. Incorrect contraceptive method could extend metabolic disorders and to reinforce vascular complications of the diabetes. Choice of contraception depends on the aim: short lasting contraception aiming on future pregnancy planning or long lasting contraception aiming on family planning. In women with diabetes mellitus it is extremely important to take into consideration such factors as type of the diabetes, its lasting, degree of metabolic compensation, presence of diabetic complications, body-mass index of the patient, presence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and future pregnancy planning. In cases when pregnancy is planning it has been preferred local contraception, such as condoms, diaphragms. In cases of nullipara or in women with plenty of partners, condoms are method of choice. In women who gave birth intrauterine device is such a method. In women with diabetes mellitus type I (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) it is possible to use hormonal contraception depending on patient's request or on medical indications only in cases when diabetes has less than 15 years duration and microangiopathic complications and other vascular risk factors lack. Combined hormonal contraceptive preparations have to contain less than 30 microg ethinylestradiol and gestagen of "third" or "fourth" generation. This contraception has to be prescribed together with insulin dosage correction and demands on strict metabolic control of the diabetes and body weight. When the combined preparations are contraindicated it could be suggested progestagenic oral hormonal contraception if gynecologic contraindications lack and if this not leads to menstrual disturbances. In women with diabetes mellitus type II (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) combined hormonal contraceptives has not to be used, because they could provoke clinical manifestation and deteriorate progress of the diabetes mellitus.     

Non-oral contraception

Non-oral contraception is increasingly being promoted by contraceptive experts as a more convenient and, in many cases, safer and more efficacious alternative to short as acting methods such as oral contraception. Injectables, implants and intrauterine methods offer the advantage of being long-acting and less user dependent, factors which may potentially improve contraceptive compliance. Implants and intrauterine methods are also recognised to be more cost-effective, largely through the prevention of unintended pregnancy. Combined contraceptive methods in non-oral delivery forms [patches, gels and vaginal rings] offer a choice for women who find it difficult to adhere to daily use. The barrier methods, particularly the male and female condoms have the advantage of being user-controlled but they are vulnerable to misuse and can fail to protect against pregnancy and more importantly in the case of condoms, sexually transmitted infections. Male and female sterilisation offer irreversible contraception.     

The intrauterine contraceptive device: an often-forgotten and maligned method of contraception.

Although 90% of women at risk for unintended pregnancy in the United States use contraception, <1% of these women use the intrauterine contraceptive device. The mechanism of action of intrauterine contraceptive devices has been controversial, but several studies suggest that interference with sperm migration or function and with fertilization may be the most likely mechanisms. More important, there is lack of compelling evidence that the intrauterine contraceptive device acts as an abortifacient. The risk for pelvic inflammatory disease among users now appears to be extremely low, primarily as a result of better selection of candidates. A levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device may offer some new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of certain gynecologic disorders. Although women who are not at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted diseases are appropriate candidates for the intrauterine contraceptive device, it appears that use can be expanded to selected nulliparous women and women with certain medical conditions.     

Unwanted pregnancies: Understanding contraceptive use and benefits in adolescents and older women

The highest percentages of unintended pregnancies and the largest increases in births reported in the United States in recent years were in adolescents and in women more than 35 years of age. Increasing numbers of these women will require contraception to avoid unintended pregnancy. In adolescents the combined oral contraceptive agents protect fertility indirectly and exert favorable actions on menstrual dysfunction and certain hormone-related disorders such as acne and hirsutism. To avoid sexually transmitted disease, barrier protection should be used along with oral contraceptives until mutually monogamous, stable relationships are established. Healthy older women who are nonsmokers may also safely use currently available contraceptives. These agents have little impact on metabolic parameters linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. In addition to providing reliable contraception, oral contraceptives offer noncontraceptive benefits to older reproductive-age women, including control of abnormal bleeding and a reduction in the incidence of ovarian and endometrial cancers and other gynecologic pathology. Intrauterine devices and progestin implants are safe, effective, and underused in the United States. Progestin implants may have an additional role in patients for whom estrogen preparations are contraindicated. Counseling is very important before insertion because of the high rate of nuisance side effects. The contraception selection process must consider the efficacy and acceptability of the specific,method to avoid the probability of unintended pregnancy and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. (Ann J OBSTEr GYNECOL 1993;168:2042-8.)     

Non-oral contraception

Non-oral contraception is increasingly being promoted by contraceptive experts as a more convenient and, in many cases, safer and more efficacious alternative to oral contraception. Injectables, implants and intrauterine methods offer the advantage of being long-acting and less user dependent, factors which may potentially improve contraceptive compliance. Combined contraceptive methods in non-oral delivery forms offer a choice for women who find it difficult to adhere to daily use. The barrier methods, particularly the male and female condoms, offer user-controlled but default-vulnerable protection against sexually transmitted infections.     

Contraception with a novel 'frameless' intrauterine levonorgestrel-releasing drug delivery system: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contraceptive performance, acceptability, side-effects and adverse events of a novel 'frameless' intrauterine drug delivery system, the FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system, releasing 14 microg of levonorgestrel/day. An ancillary objective was to evaluate the effect of the new intrauterine system on menstrual blood loss. STUDY DESIGN: This was an open-label, non-comparative, ongoing pilot study. Fifty-four insertions were performed by the first author in fertile women between 16 and 51 years of age for contraception. Eighteen of these women were fitted with the FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system for the treatment of excessive bleeding as well as for contraceptive purposes. Of these women, 12 had medium-to-large-sized uterine fibroids in addition to heavy menstrual flow. The follow-up period of the trial was between 6 and 16 months. RESULTS: At the time of study analysis the total number of woman-months was 464 and 21 women had had the FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system in place for more than 1 year. No pregnancies occurred. All women reported greatly reduced bleeding; however, no cases of amenorrhea resulting from endometrial suppression were encountered. Significant spotting was rare after the first 3 months following insertion. No complications (e.g. infection, expulsion or perforation) occurred. The FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system was well tolerated by all women involved in the study and no systemic hormonal side-effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Although the average age of the study subjects was 40 years, this preliminary study suggests that the FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system is an effective contraceptive. The FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system is also highly efficacious in controlling bleeding in women presenting with excessive menstrual flow. Effective endometrial suppression is the principal mechanism underlying both the contraceptive effect and the effect on menstrual blood loss. The low release rate oflevonorgestrel results in an absence of hormonal side-effects. The unique 'frameless' design characteristics of the intrauterine system facilitate insertion and minimize pain and discomfort. These factors, together with the low incidence of amenorrhea, appear to be a significant step forward from the 'framed' Nova-T levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena).     

Contraception for women in selected circumstances

OBJECTIVE: To review new evidence regarding ten controversial issues in the use of contraceptive methods among women with special conditions and to present World Health Organization recommendations derived in part from this evidence. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE and PREMEDLINE databases for English-language articles, published between January 1995 and December 2001, for evidence relevant to ten key contraceptive method and condition combinations: combined oral contraceptive (OC) use among women with hypertension or headaches, combined OC use for emergency contraception and adverse events, progestogen-only contraception use among young women and among breast-feeding women, tubal sterilization among young women, hormonal contraception and intrauterine device use among women who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, have AIDS, or are at high risk of HIV infection. Search terms included: "contraception," "contraceptives, oral," "progestational hormones," "medroxyprogesterone-17 acetate," "norethindrone," "levonorgestrel," "Norplant," "contraceptives, postcoital," "sterilization, tubal," "intrauterine devices," "hypertension," "stroke," "myocardial infarction," "thrombosis," "headache," "migraine," "adverse effects," "bone mineral density," "breast-feeding," "lactation," "age factors," "regret," and "HIV." STUDY SELECTION: From 205 articles, we identified 33 studies published in peer-reviewed journals that specifically examined risks of contraceptive use among women with pre-existing conditions. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Combined OC users with hypertension appear to be at increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke relative to users without hypertension. Combined OC users with migraine appear to be at increased risk of stroke relative to nonusers with migraine. The evidence for the other eight method and condition combinations was either insufficient to draw conclusions or identified no excess risk. CONCLUSION: Of ten contraceptive method and condition combinations assessed, the evidence supported an increased risk of cardiovascular complications with combined OC use by women with hypertension or migraine. As new evidence becomes available, assessment of risk and recommendations for use of contraceptive methods can be revised accordingly.     

Reversible contraception for the woman over 35 years of age.

Methods of reversible contraception, oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, and Norplant (systemic progestin-only contraceptive; Wyeth-Ayerst, Radnor, PA), can be used for women over 35 years of age. Oral contraceptive formulations are safe and effective for healthy women up to the age of menopause. Oral contraceptives in women who do not smoke cigarettes do not result in a significant increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The incidence of breast cancer is not increased in women who have used oral contraceptives. A slight increase was found in younger women who had been on oral contraceptives based on a reanalysis of the contraceptive and steroid hormone study of the Centers for Disease Control. A reduction in the incidence of ovarian epithelial neoplasia by 40% was found in three European case-control studies. Two intrauterine devices are currently available on the US market: Paragard (GynoPharma, Somerville, NJ) and Progestasert (Alza Corp., Palo Alto, CA). Both of these provide highly effective contraception. A World Health Organization prospective randomized study found that there was an increase in pelvic inflammatory disease rates in the first 20 days after intrauterine device insertion. The intrauterine device itself did not increase the pelvic inflammatory disease incidence rates. The Norplant system exerts its contraceptive action through ovulation inhibition and alteration of cervical mucus. The major consumer complaint is irregular or prolonged uterine bleeding, which can be controlled by oral estrogen.     

Contraception with a novel ‘frameless’ intrauterine levonorgestrel-releasing drug delivery system: a pilot study

Objective To evaluate the contraceptive performance, acceptability, side-effects and adverse events of a novel ‘frameless’ intrauterine drug delivery system, the FibroPlant? levonorgestrel intrauterine system, releasing 14 μg of levonorgestrel/day. An ancillary objective was to evaluate the effect of the new intrauterine system on menstrual blood loss.

Study design This was an open-label, non-comparative, ongoing pilot study. Fifty-four insertions were performed by the first author in fertile women between 16 and 51 years of age for contraception. Eighteen of these women were fitted with the FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system for the treatment of excessive bleeding as well as for contraceptive purposes. Of these women, 12 had medium-to-large-sized uterine fibroids in addition to heavy menstrual flow. The follow-up period of the trial was between 6 and 16 months.

Results At the time of study analysis the total number of woman-months was 464 and 21 women had had the FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system in place for more than 1 year. No pregnancies occurred. All women reported greatly reduced bleeding; however, no cases of amenorrhea resulting from endometrial suppression were encountered. Significant spotting was rare after the first 3 months following insertion. No complications (e.g. infection, expulsion or perforation) occurred. The FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system was well tolerated by all women involved in the study and no systemic hormonal side-effects were reported.

Conclusions Although the average age of the study subjects was 40 years, this preliminary study suggests that the FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system is an effective contraceptive. The FibroPlant levonorgestrel intrauterine system is also highly efficacious in controlling bleeding in women presenting with excessive menstrual flow. Effective endometrial suppression is the principal mechanism underlying both the contraceptive effect and the effect on menstrual blood loss.

The low release rate of levonorgestrel results in an absence of hormonal side-effects. The unique ‘frameless’ design characteristics of the intrauterine system facilitate insertion and minimize pain and discomfort. These factors, together with the low incidence of amenorrhea, appear to be a significant step forward from the ‘framed’ Nova-T levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena®).     

La anticoncepción en la mujer obesa

The increasing prevalence of obese women of childbearing age is a public and social health crisis. Contraception is a key issue in women with obesity. Obese women have a sexual activity no different from women of normal weight, and the use of contraception is considered less effective, as there is a higher risk of having an unwanted pregnancy. Due to a variety of metabolic disorders, obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor that can increase when combined with hormonal contraception. All these factors should be considered when choosing a contraceptive method in an obese woman. The objective of this review is to evaluate the risk-benefit of each type of available contraception, and the problem of contraception after bariatric surgery, in order to provide doctors with a practical guide on the use of oral contraceptive pills in obese women.     

Menstrual pattern changes following laparoscopic sterilization with different occlusion techniques: a review of 10,004 cases

A comparison is made of menstrual pattern changes reported by 10,004 women undergoing interval and postabortion sterilization by the laparoscopic occlusive techniques of unipolar electrocoagulation, the tubal ring, the prototype spring-loaded clip, and the Rocket clip. Controlling for prior contraceptive use, the menstrual patterns in these women sterilized by the four techniques were compared with respect to six parameters: cycle regularity, cycle length, menstrual flow duration, amount of flow, dysmenorrhea, and intermenstrual bleeding. The majority of women reported no menstrual changes subsequent to sterilization. When changes were experienced, they occurred in equal proportions in opposite directions. Depending on the parameter, from 15% to 79% of the menstrual pattern changes seen within 6 months after sterilization in women who were using oral contraceptives or intrauterine contraceptive devices at the time of sterilization could be attributed to the discontinuation of those methods of contraception. There were no significant differences between the several occlusion technique groups with respect to the proportion of women who reported changes in their menstrual patterns after sterilization.     

Contraceptive needs of the perimenopausal woman

Although there are many definitions of the perimenopause, all include the concept of transition from physiologic ovulatory menstrual cycles to hyperestrogenic anovulation and ultimately to hypoestrogenic ovarian shutdown. With this comes a transition from childbearing, and its requirement for contraception, to the infertility of menopause. There is no contraceptive method that is contraindicated merely by age. The contraceptive needs of the perimenopausal woman, however, may be better suited to some methods over others. This article explores various methods of contraception for the perimenopausal woman, including female sterilization, barrier methods, intrauterine devices, injectables, implants, and oral contraceptives.     

Female contraception by a normal dose progestogen after 40 years of age. Possible association of nomegestrol--17-beta-estradiol acetate by percutaneous route]

Although fertility declines with age, the use of an effective contraceptive remains necessary in women over 40. Endocrine disorders, which are common in this age group, may also often require control. Conventional estroprogestogens, even those of the latest generation, cannot be used in women with a high cardiovascular risk, since age cannot be totally excluded as a possible risk factor. The contraceptive use of derivatives of 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 19-norprogesterone offer a promising alternative, despite the absence of any exhaustive investigation particularly in situations in which the blood level of estradiol has to be reduced. There are, however, some women who respond to this type of contraception by menstrual cycle irregularities, and sometimes by low blood levels of estradiol, regardless of the drug used. A preliminary study is described in which 5 mg of nomegestrol acetate was combined with 17-beta-estradiol by transcutaneous route and which has so-far demonstrated sustained contraceptive efficacy as well as excellent clinical and metabolic safety.