Use of UPA, LNG and the copper IUD for EC following the introduction of new FSRH guidelines

This paper reports a notes review of emergency contraception (EC) prescription before and after the release of the Faculty guidelines in early 2012. It is interesting that Levonelle® remains a popular choice, possibly because there is less interference with using hormonal methods as a quick start for the remainder of the cycle. One finding of this study, namely the generally poor uptake of IUDs (4%), is of concern and merits further study. [Gillian Robinson]

The IUS is a relatively cheap form of contraception

This study presents an analysis of the cost of providing the intrauterine system (IUS) for contraception to a cohort of 283 women in a community sexual health clinic setting. The authors describe the costs associated with the use of the IUS over a 5-year period and compare it to the costs modelled by NICE. The authors conclude that the IUS is a relatively cheap form of contraception compared with the combined oral contraceptive pill, and make the case for not limiting access to the IUS in community sexual health services based upon financial decisions. [Scott Wilkes]

An innovative one-stop, hospital-based, outpatient acute gynaecology clinic: model for taking the service to community

Kumar and colleagues present an ideal way of transferring acute gynaecology care to the community through the development of an acute gynaecology clinic. The clinic in question handles all non-pregnancy-related gynaecological emergency referrals and can be implemented with low overheads and few changes to existing infrastructure within the community. It is an ideal way to save money and resources in the current economic climate. It is also a good opportunity for CSRH trainees and consultants in SRH to utilise their existing skills to manage a wider variety of clinical scenarios commonly seen in primary care. [Neelima Deshpande]

The Department of Health (DH) is proposing changes to the way it publishes abortion statistics for England and Wales, and is seeking the views of commissioners, clinicians, academics and other government departments and special interest groups. The consultation is open until 10 June 2013.

The aim of the consultation is to ensure that the abortion statistics remain relevant and useful to users. It covers:

• the usefulness of the annual report
• the engagement of users to derive maximum value from the statistics
• the relevance of the statistics to devolved governments
• whether to present detailed tables by primary care trust, clinical commissioning group or local authority

The responses and outcomes from the consultation will influence how the department presents the statistics for 2012. The 2011 annual abortion statistics report may be useful for comparing potential changes to the 2012 publication.

The WHO are currently preparing updates to its Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use and Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, which will be finalized in 2014, and are soliciting feedback from various stakeholders in the field of family planning to inform this process. The goal is to ensure these guidelines remain relevant to family planning policies, programmes and service delivery. To that end, they have created a survey to help prioritize topics to review and to determine which new information to add to the guidelines. In addition they welcome other suggestions on how to improve the guidelines.

If you are familiar with the Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use or the Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use fill out the survey and give your suggestions for the next edition.

This ongoing controversy recently resulted in the decision of the French authorities to withdraw the COC containing ethinylestradiol (EE) and cyproterone acetate (CPA) ie Diane 35 from the market. Just published online in the JFPRHC is a joint statement from 26 international experts in contraception, whose conclusion is: ‘Both epidemiological data and clinical trials must be taken into account when best practice is defined. Regulatory restrictions of previously registered methods should only be made after careful assessment of all the available evidence.’

Readers’ attention is also drawn to two similar Position Statements recently issued by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the first on hormonal contraception and risk of VTE, the second specifically relating to Diane 35.

http://www.sogc.com/media/documents/medHormonalContraceptionVTE130219.pdf.

http://www.sogc.com/media/documents/medDiane35VTE130219.pdf.

 Judge Strikes Down Age Limits on Morning-After Pill

A federal judge has ruled that the Unites States government must make the most common morning-after pill available over the counter for all ages, instead of requiring a prescription for girls 16 and under. The New York Times reported that the decision, on a fraught and politically controversial subject, comes after a decade-long fight over who should have access to the pill and under what circumstances, and it counteracts an unprecedented move by the Obama administration’s Health and Human Services secretary who in 2011 overruled a recommendation by the Food and Drug Administration to make the pill available for all ages without a prescription.

Hightlights from this edition include:

The FSRH’s 20th anniversary

It is 20 years since the establishment of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). In celebrating its anniversary there is much to be proud of, and indeed Community Sexual and Reproductive Health is now a specialty in its own right. Readers should find the story of the birth and rise of the specialty interesting and some will be reminded of ‘old times’, while looking ahead to a bright future. See page 78

Does HRT cause breast cancer? Part 5

Shapiro and colleagues conclude the interesting and enlightening series of articles looking at the evidence around hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer risk (page 80). The final part examines the evidence for there being a declining trend in breast cancer incidence as HRT use reduced. Although the two are widely held to be related, they conclude that it is not possible to say either way. In the accompanying
Commentary (page 72), Nick Panay reviews the whole series of five articles and reminds us that optimising the lives of millions of women going through the menopause should be our priority. See pages 72 and 80

COCs and the risk of VTE, ATE and cardiovascular death

Syd Shapiro provides another of his incisive reviews of the latest database study of the combined pill and venous (VTE) and arterial (ATE) thromboembolism risk. Unsurprisingly, he finds many of the same problems as in the other studies, and asks the question why do these studies keep being done badly when the methodological flaws have been so well established? See page 89

“Anything for the weekend – and beyond, madam?” Community pharmacies increase OC uptake

Parsons et al.‘s evaluation of a community pharmacy delivered oral contraceptive (OC) service in South-East London is of particular interest, as it demonstrates the value of providing OCs via this service outlet, especially for women who would not otherwise access long-term contraception. Specially trained pharmacists provided OCs under a patient group direction (PGD), and subsequent evaluation showed that these pharmacists were clinically competent to provide OCs according to a PGD, and that the service was successful in attracting the population identified as most in need.  See page 97

There’s a tale in this sting – The policing of abortion services in England

What was the background to last year’s Care Quality Commission inspections of all English abortion services? Why were medical and nursing colleagues reported to their regulatory Councils and why is a Metropolitan Police investigation still ongoing? Sam Rowlands’ commentary provides a fascinating and detailed account of the regulatory framework of abortion services in England and the unexpected consequences of a national newspaper’s ‘sting’ operation on certain clinics in February 2012. It suggests that the regulation of abortion goes further than the Law requires and that this is now out of step with progress in abortion practice, leading to unnecessary restriction for women with unwanted pregnancies in accessing the support they need. See page 121

Role of ambulatory hysteroscopy in reproduction

The relatively recent introduction of outpatient operative hysteroscopy enables investigation and treatment previously carried out in the operating theatre to be performed in the clinic setting without the need for general anaesthesia. A ‘see and treat’ style of management is being adopted, which is changing how we configure our gynaecological services. This review aims to summarise the role for ambulatory hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of conditions contributing to reproductive failure and in sterilisation. See page 127

LAM: why ignore this useful option?

In this interesting personal view article, the authors explore and elaborate on the reasons why health care providers and the public are hesitant in recommending/adopting the lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM), a valuable short-term postnatal contraceptive option. These include ignorance about the LAM criteria for correct use, mistrust of the method’s effectiveness despite a strong evidence base, inconsistencies in the advice given to breastfeeding women in the UK by health practitioners and public bodies (e.g. the National Health Service, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), and lack of awareness about potential benefits. See page 136

Internet: good or bad?

2013 marks the 30th anniversary of the Internet. Our Consumer Correspondent looks at whether this technological miracle is a ‘good idea’ for the health profession. See page 139

New RCN publication:

‘A Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England’ sets out the government’s ambitions for improving sexual health.

Designed to be used by local organisations when they are looking at how best to provide sexual health services in their area. This includes the need for:

• a fall in the number of unwanted pregnancies
•  greater efforts to prevent STIs and HIV
•  an increase in the number of people in high-risk groups being tested for HIV
• building an honest and open culture where everyone is able to make informed and responsible choices about relationships and sex
• making sure that all people have rapid and easy access to appropriate sexual health services
• offering counselling to all women who request an abortion so they can discuss the options and choices available with a trained counsellor

Responses to ‘Framework for Sexual Health Improvement’.

 The Sex Education Forum, based at leading children’s charity The National Children’s Bureau, welcomed the publication of the government’s strategy for improving sexual health and its focus on preventative measures, such as good quality sex and relationships education (SRE). However, more needs to be done to ensure all schools step up to the mark, in providing the information, support and advice that children want and need.

FPA welcomes the Government’s long-overdue publication of its Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England document, which finally provides guidance to local government to help ensure that the nation’s sexual health improves.

Although we support the Government’s formal endorsement of the need to improve areas of sexual health like sexually transmitted infection (STI) and teenage pregnancy rates, we are acutely aware that there is absolutely no guarantee that local councils will actually act on this guidance.

We know from our Unprotected Nation report, released in January, that if the situation worsens, and local government chooses not to invest in sexual health services, the additional cost to the economy is likely to be over £135 billion over the next few years.

Brook

Responding to the publication of A Framework for Sexual Health Improvement in England Simon Blake OBE, Brook’s Chief Executive, said:

“We are pleased that the Framework for Sexual health has been published just in time for the move to local authorities and that there are clear aspirations for the improvement of young people’s sexual health, in particular that all young people have access to confidential services and support.

“We are also pleased to see the ambition that all children and young people should receive good quality Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) at school which we know is vital in preventing abuse and exploitation and promoting positive relationships. However, this ambition will never be realised whilst the Department for Education fails to ensure that every school is required to deliver a comprehensive programme of SRE.

“As we move towards 1st April we look forward to working local authorities to realise these ambitions and improve young people’s lives.”

FAMILY PLANNING 2020 names Director of the global partnership

The Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) Reference Group announced that long time global advocate for family planning and reproductive health Valerie DeFillipo has been named Director of the global partnership. FP2020 builds on the partnerships launched at the London Summit on Family Planning. It will sustain the momentum from London and ensure all partners are working together to achieve and support the goals and commitments announced at the Summit.

Results from a new study published in the March issue of Obstetrics and Gynaecology demonstrate that the use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) does not appear to increase fracture risk. Whilst the use of DMPA reduces serum oestrogen levels and is associated with significant loss of bone mineral density (BMD), this study shows that it does not appear to have an effect on fracture risk.  In addition although DMPA users had higher fracture risk than non-users, the risk did not increase after starting DMPA but was similar to before it was initiated.

The retrospective cohort study by Lanza et al¹ of 312,395 women, who had had 11,822 fractures, was designed to assess the extent to which DMPA increases fracture risk. Using data from the General Practice Research Database, the study compared fracture incidence in DMPA users with women using non-DMPA hormonal contraceptives. It also investigated fracture incidence before and after initiation of contraceptive use. The study reported that before contraceptive use started, DMPA users had a higher fracture risk than non-users (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.73). After use began, crude fracture incidence was 9.1/1000 person-years for DMPA users and 7.3 for non-users (crude IRR 1.23; 95% CI 1.16-1.30). Fracture risk in DMPA users did not increase after starting DMPA  (IRR after/before 1.08; 95% CI 0.92-1.26). Fracture incidence was 9.4/1000 person years in low exposure DMPA users, and 7.8/1000 in high-exposure DMPA users. DMPA users had a higher fracture risk than non-users at the start of contraceptive use, with no discernable induction period.

Commenting on the results Professor Anna Glasier, Honorary Professor of the University of Edinburgh and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said “This study confirms what others have shown, that women who use Depo-Provera^® appear to have a modest increase in fracture risk compared with women using other contraceptive methods. Importantly however, in this UK population the increased risk of fracture preceded the start of Depo-Provera^®. The difference in fracture risk was mainly in fractures associated with trauma rather than those typical of osteoporosis. Further research is indicated to explore behavioural differences among populations of women choosing to use different contraceptive methods.”

1. Lanza L. et al. Use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate contraception and incidence of bone fracture. Obs and Gynae. 2013; 121(3):593–600.

JFPRHC is looking for a dynamic reader to take on the role of social media editor

The Journal already has a strong readership and offers online features such as a blog, podcasts, Facebook and Twitter.  This new post has been created to assist the editorial team in improving the journal’s interactivity and web presence via these and other social media, by promoting the journal’s content as well as helping its core readership to stay up to date with news and developments in the field.

You should be educated to degree level with knowledge of the journal’s subject area. Some experience of science communication and/or web content management systems such as Twitter, Facebook andWordPress would be preferred, but the main criteria for the successful applicant will be enthusiasm for the subject area, creativity, and an interest in using new technologies to disseminate scientific research.

The role would be ideally suited to a junior researcher or practising clinician. The full advert, and how to apply, is available at: http://jfprhc.bmj.com/site/misc/JFPRHC%20Social%20Media%20Editor%20advert%20Feb%202013.pdf

Sexual Health Commissioning

the Local Government Association and Public Health England have produced a document of FAQs. They address a number of transitional issues relating to the transfer of responsibility for commissioning sexual health services to local government.  In addition to these FAQs the Department of Health will shortly publish guidance on local government’s mandatory responsibilities for sexual health.

Reminder to register as stakeholder for NICE Patient group directions Good Practice Guidance

Management of PGDs will change from the 1st April when commissioning of services changes. All those involved in development or use of PGDs can contribute at the  consultation stage by registering as a stakeholder now. Individuals can contribute as service providers.

To register your organisation as a stakeholder send registration details (name of contact, name of organisation, email address) to pgd@nice.org.uk using the subject heading Patient group directions GPG stakeholder registration 2012/13

National Infertility Awareness Campaign Welcomes updated NICE Guideline on Treating Infertility

The National Infertility Awareness Campaign (NIAC) has welcomed the new clinical guideline on the assessment and treatment of couples with fertility problems, published by NICE yesterday but fears remain over its implementation.

People experiencing fertility problems will be able to seek NHS help sooner and get the medical treatment they might require earlier. The updated guideline also includes other specific groups of people for the first time; these include same sex couples, those who carry an infectious disease, such as Hepatitis B or HIV and those who are unable to have intercourse (for example, if they have a physical disability). It also includes updated recommendations for people who are preparing for cancer treatment who may wish to preserve their fertility. However, as NICE clinical guidelines are not mandatory, fears still remain over local implementation as patients may continue to face a ‘postcode lottery’ approach to funding. This coincides with the release of the

Latest UK fertility treatment data and figures: 2010-2011

Published this week by the HFEA – ‘Fertility Treatment in 2011: Trends and Figures’

Education about abortion in the UK is failing young people

A report published by Brook and Education For Choice (EFC) finds that education about abortion in the UK is failing young people.  Some schools are addressing the topic as part of comprehensive sex and relationships education (SRE), but there is evidence of widespread bad practice including medical misinformation being provided by teachers and visitors to schools.  The report pulls together findings from surveys with schools and young people, and an audit of teaching materials used. Young people describe negative experiences of the education they received, and report that some schools are using inappropriate teaching materials including graphic images and distressing, inaccurate video material.