Anne MacGregor

This seventh edition has been completely revised and updated, incorporating relevant WHO and national guidance documents: therefore imparting best evidence-based practice for all methods. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) Based on the long-established evidence that 7 days of routinely not-taking pills in each cycle is too long for maintained ovarian suppression - and this necessarily leads to too little margin for errors in pill-taking - the authors recommend that providers switch to a new norm for all users of either: Tricycling, the 84/4 regimen, or totally continuous use (365/365), OR, for women who remain keen to see monthly pill-bleeds (which are completely unnecessary for health), one of the regimens (24/4 or 21/4) that shorten the contraception-non-taking time to 4 days New methods, and their importance or otherwise: Intrauterine system: Jaydess® Subcutaneous, self-injectable alternative to Depo-Provera: Sayana® Press 24/4 combined hormonal contraceptives: Zoely®, Eloine® Diaphragm: Caya® Updates Quick starting and bridging (the Proving not Pregnant Protocol) Emergency contraception (EC), how advice differs for ulipristal acetate EC Drug metabolism (implications with norethisterone) and interactions (eg affecting lamotrigine) Question and answer format Important information boxes Unwanted side effects boxes Frequent patient questions at the end of relevant chapters Management advice Follow-up advice Comes with free e-book on ExpertConsult for the first time This seventh edition has been completely revised and updated, incorporating relevant WHO and national guidance documents: therefore imparting best evidence-based practice for all methods. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) Based on the long-established evidence that 7 days of routinely not-taking pills in each cycle is too long for maintained ovarian suppression - and this necessarily leads to too little margin for errors in pill-taking - the authors recommend that providers switch to a new norm for all users of either: Tricycling, the 84/4 regimen, or totally continuous use (365/365), OR, for women who remain keen to see monthly pill-bleeds (which are completely unnecessary for health), one of the regimens (24/4 or 21/4) that shorten the contraception-non-taking time to 4 days New methods, and their importance or otherwise: Intrauterine system: Jaydess® Subcutaneous, self-injectable alternative to Depo-Provera: Sayana® Press 24/4 combined hormonal contraceptives: Zoely®, Eloine® Diaphragm: Caya® Updates Quick starting and bridging (the Proving not Pregnant Protocol) Emergency contraception (EC), how advice differs for ulipristal acetate EC Drug metabolism (implications with norethisterone) and interactions (eg affecting lamotrigine) Intermittent quizzes for CPD portfolio purposes Now on ExpertConsult

Used by over 200 million women since the 1960s, the Pill is one of the most commonly prescribed medicines - and has repeatedly been established as one of the least harmful ever formulated. However, there are some risks, and a number of "Pill Scares" have been reported in the media - often causing women to give up the Pill without finding a satisfactory alternative. More choices than ever are now available to users of hormonal contraception, and it can be difficult for doctors or family planning workers to find the time for detailed discussion with existing or new users. Women of all ages, whether they are existing users of or new to hormonal contraception, will find realistic, practical, and trustworthy guidance in this book to help them to make their own informed decisions. It will also be indispensable to health professionals as a concise, balanced overview. This user-friendly book contains extensive and unbiased advice and information on the Pill, along with other hormonal alternatives such as implants, injections and patches.