Family planning clinicians have become familiar with providing Gardasil (Merck & Co.), the quadrivalent vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), to young women. Will their practice extend to include young men if the vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
What if a vaginal ring could deliver protection against unplanned pregnancy and HIV infection? Scientists are testing a ring loaded with multiple antiviral drugs to prevent HIV infection, and they also are weighing its use in pregnancy prevention.
While not yet available in the United States, international researchers are examining use of contraceptive progestins in two birth control methods: a transdermal patch using gestodene and an oral contraceptive formulation using dienogest.
Look out in the waiting room of your clinic. How many patients are waiting to be seen by a provider to be tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
Wondering how to get prevention messages to adolescents? Public health officials are looking at new approaches such as text messaging on cell phones and Internet social networking sites to reach, educate, and engage teens regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
What is included in your practice during a first prenatal visit? If syphilis screening is not on the list, be sure to add it. Following a systematic review of current evidence, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has just reaffirmed its 2004 recommendation that clinicians screen all pregnant women for syphilis infection.
