Women who have ever used the oral contraceptive pill are less likely to die from any cause, including all cancers and heart disease, compared with ‘never users’, researchers have claimed. The results of a new study show a slightly higher risk in women under 45 years old who are current or recent users of the [...]

Clinical update: Contraception – In his latest Clinical Update, Gary Culliton reports on developments in the field of contraception, including how to pick the right contraceptive and the advantages and risks associated with various methods A range of contraceptive options are on the Irish market, but how widely available are they in this country? “In [...]

Clinical update: Contraception – Implanon is very well tolerated by 72 per cent of women, according to Dr Sarah Riney, a GP at Dublin’s Suffolk Street Surgery. “The etonogestrel implant is a very effective long-term contraceptive for patients,” said Dr Riney. “It’s inserted into the arm under local anaesthetic. The hormone is released on a [...]

Clinical update: Contraception – “Hormonal contraceptives used in the right patients are safe. How and in whom they are used is key,” said Dr Rita Galimberti of the ICGP’s Joint Committee for Family Planning. There are a number of contraception courses and specific certification is available for GPs. Nurses can obtain a special family planning [...]

Clinical update: Contraception – There are 14 different kinds of contraceptive pill available. Three new pills were introduced in Ireland in 2009: Qlaira (which is useful for painful periods), Yaz (which has the same hormones as Yasminelle but in a 28-day pack) and Cerezette (a progesterone-only pill). Qlaira is the only pill with natural oestrogen [...]