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In response to record-breaking reported cases of chlamydia infection this decade, public health authorities and advocates, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have intensified efforts to combat the sexually transmitted infection (STI).
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When teens in your area go to the neighborhood drug store to pick up a prescription for birth control or buy a package of condoms, what kind of reception do they receive? It might not be very cordial.
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The next woman in your examination room is a young mother who has come in for the standard six-week postpartum visit included in your facility's protocol. She tells you that while she has used no contraception since her delivery, she has had unprotected intercourse. She is not breast-feeding her infant. What is your next move?
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A new review indicates the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS, Mirena, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Wayne, NJ) appears as effective as endometrial ablation in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding.
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Getting ready to advise your next patient about the importance of emergency contraception (EC)? Be prepared to discuss two new emergency contraceptive products, just approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
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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.
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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.
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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)?
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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.
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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.