Prevent pregnancy

Clinical studies with the antiprogestin RU-486 indicate that, when used in a post-coital mode, this dmg may be effective in preventing pregnancy. 

Research on an hCG vaccine has been conducted over the past 15 years. WHO has conducted a phase I clinical study in AustraUa, using a vaccine based on a synthetic C-terminal peptide (109—141) of P-hCG conjugated to Diptheria Toxoid (CTP-DT), that showed potentially effective contraceptive levels of antibodies were produced in vaccinated women without any adverse side effects. Phase II clinical studies are under consideration to determine if the immune response, raised to its prototype anti-hCG vaccine, is capable of preventing pregnancy in fertile women volunteers (115). While research on the C-terminal peptide from the P-subunit of hCG has been carried out under the auspices of WHO, research supported by the Population Council and the National Institutes of Health has involved two alternative vaccine candidates (109,116,118). 

Warfarin is used cautiously in patients with fever, heart failure, diarrhea, malignancy, hypertension, renal or hepatic disease, psychoses, or depression. Women of childbearing age must use a reliable contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. 

Women of childbearing age must use a reliable contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. 

Although suppression of FSH and LH is the primary mechanism by which combined oral contraceptives prevent ovulation, there are other mechanisms by which these hormones work to prevent pregnancy. Other mechanisms include reduced penetration of the egg by sperm, reduced implantation of fertilized eggs, thickening of cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration into the upper genital tract, and slowed tubal motility, which may delay transport of sperm.1 Thus, in... 

In addition to preventing pregnancy, there are several noncontraceptive benefits associated with the use of combined oral contraceptive pills. Many of the potential non-contraceptive benefits are highlighted below. 

As an alternative to oral contraceptive pills, which must be taken daily in order to reliably prevent pregnancy, non-oral contraceptives in the form of transdermal, transvaginal, and injectable preparations are available and offer patients safe and effective alternatives to the pills for prevention of pregnancy. These formulations also do not require daily administration, making them more convenient than the pill formulations. 

Condoms, which are available for both male and female use, act as physical barriers to prevent pregnancy.44 Condoms are easy to use, available without a prescription, and inexpensive. Most condoms are made of latex. When used correctly, condoms can be very effective in prevention of unwanted pregnancy. Condoms... 

Stress the importance of adherence to the patient s chosen method of contraception in order to reliably prevent pregnancy. Educate the patient on what to do in the event of missed doses with hormonal contraception. 

Women of reproductive potential prescribed efavirenz should be counseled on its potentially teratogenic effects and the importance of birth control. Additionally, nevirapine, nelfinavir, ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir have been shown to decrease the concentrations of estrogens and/or progestins in oral contraceptives, which could lead to failure.2 For patients prescribed these drugs, barrier forms of contraception are preferred to prevent pregnancy. DepoProvera may be... 

Initial investigations of these devices led to the conclusion that the larger the device, the more effective it was in preventing pregnancy. Large devices, however, increased the possibility of uterine cramps, bleeding, and expulsion of the device. 

Postcoital contraception can be defined as the use of a drug or device to prevent pregnancy soon after intercourse. It has been estimated that the use of emergency contraception in the USA has prevented over 2 million unwanted pregnancies. 

Lactation suppression 25 mg bid x 14-21 days Nausea, vertigo, confusion, abnormal involuntary movements, hallucina-tbns, depression prevent pregnancy. 

These combined contraceptives seem to function by inducing feedback inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion which, in turn, inhibits the process of ovulation (Chapter 8). They also induce alterations in the endometrial tissue that may prevent implantation. Furthermore, the progestogen promotes thickening of the cervical mucus, which renders it less hospitable to sperm cells. This combination of effects is quite effective in preventing pregnancy. 

Birth control may also involve a spermicide, such as the nonoxynol-9 shown in Table 14.3. When used in conjunction with a barrier device, such as a condom or a cervical diaphragm, spermicides can be close to 95 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. 

How effective are birth control pills at preventing pregnancy ... 

About 60 million women use birth control pills, which when taken correctly are about 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. Build an argument for whether such pills have had a major or a minor impact on the growth of the human population, which now stands at more than 6 billion. 

Women who have had unprotected intercourse and want to prevent pregnancy should be offered hormonal emergency contraception up to 5 days after intercourse. 

Harlap S, Kost K, Forrest JD. Preventing Pregnancy, Protecting Health a New Look at Birth Control Choices in the United StatesNew York The Alan Guttmacher Institute . 1991. 

---