{"title":"Reusable menstrual hygiene products may lead to underdiagnosis of heavy menstrual bleeding: a randomised trial.","authors":"Bethany Samuelson Bannow, Katrina Ramsey, Katherine Courchaine, Alison Edelman, Alyssa C Colwill","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202541","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202541","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Clinical diagnosis of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is dependent on patient report of menstrual product usage of pads and tampons, but it is unknown if newer reusable menstrual products (cup and underwear) are similarly diagnostic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We enrolled 20 regularly menstruating individuals with HMB for two menstrual cycles. Participants completed a retrospective baseline Pictorial Blood loss Assessment Chart (PBAC) at the time of enrolment (eligibility PBAC score ≥100) as well as several different measures with each study cycle. In cycle 1, participants used study-provided disposable pads and tampons. For cycle 2, participants were randomised to menstrual cup or underwear and collected their menstrual fluid on their heaviest 2 days. We compared the two cycles with respect to the weight of menstrual fluid collected and the frequency of product changes and leaks during the heaviest days in cycles 1 and 2, as well as questionnaire responses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, the mean rate of product changes per heaviest day were 5.5 disposable product changes (range 1.5-11), 3.6 cup changes (range 1.3-6.2), and 3.5 underwear changes (range 2.7-6.9). Both groups (cup users and underwear users) reported a median 3.5 leaks (range 1-5) per heaviest day in cycle 2, while using the menstrual cup or underwear.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Participants reported fewer daily changes of reusable products compared with disposable ones, but more leaks, suggesting that 'rate of product change' with reusable products may result in missed diagnoses of HMB.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142944886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sharon James, Sarah E Ratcliffe, Anisa Rojanapenkul Assifi, Jessica Botfield, Kirsten Black, Mark Hanson, Danielle Mazza
{"title":"Lifestyle risk reduction engagement during interconception: a qualitative descriptive study of women's preferences.","authors":"Sharon James, Sarah E Ratcliffe, Anisa Rojanapenkul Assifi, Jessica Botfield, Kirsten Black, Mark Hanson, Danielle Mazza","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202518","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prevention and self-management of lifestyle risks can reduce non-communicable disease risks and improve the health of mothers and their children. We explored Australian women's preferences for lifestyle risk reduction engagement during the interconception period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a qualitative descriptive interview study between February and May 2022. Women and people who have been pregnant and intended to have more children were recruited. We asked participants about their preferences for lifestyle risk reduction between pregnancies. Following reflexive thematic analysis, we conceptualised findings using the COM-B system.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 17 participants, most had given birth to one child and intended to have another child in 1 to 2 years. Our analysis found that most described lifestyle risk reduction engagement through nutrition and exercise, informed by personal experiences and their health goals for a future pregnancy/child. Key attributes affecting engagement in lifestyle risk reduction activities included their feasibility and practicality, habits and routines, motivation, pregnancy planning, and the source and quality of information. Participants' capacity and capability to engage in lifestyles supportive of interconception health were varied and influenced by juggling the routines of work, finances, health and evolving caring responsibilities. Community-based influences, including the availability of recreational infrastructure, the level of support provided by partners/family/peers and culture, also influenced participants' engagement in lifestyle risk reduction activities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>For lifestyles that encourage interconception health, maximising participants' capability and opportunities required motivation and access to infrastructure supportive of healthy meal options and exercise, health services and community networks.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143073894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Response to the letter: 'Sexual and reproductive health clinical consultations: preconception care' by Chingara <i>et al</i>.","authors":"Amy Hough, Jayne Kavanagh, Neha Pathak","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2025-202733","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2025-202733","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143063907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Abortion skills and workforce 50 years on: an ageing workforce in need of rejuvenation.","authors":"Edgar Kennedy Dorman","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202559","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202559","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142909301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comment on 'Sexual and reproductive health clinical consultations: preconception care'.","authors":"Olivia Chingara, Andrea Woolner, Susan Logan","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202685","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202685","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143027970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fifty years of epidemiological research on the cardiovascular and cancer risks of hormonal contraception.","authors":"Lisa Iversen, Philip Hannaford","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202414","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143027971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michelle Cooper, Caroline J Free, Kevin Ka-Wing Kuan, Karen McCabe, Emmanuela Osei-Asemani, Charles Opondo, Sharon Cameron
{"title":"Acceptability of digital health intervention during pregnancy to inform women about postpartum contraception (DIGICAP): a pilot randomised controlled study.","authors":"Michelle Cooper, Caroline J Free, Kevin Ka-Wing Kuan, Karen McCabe, Emmanuela Osei-Asemani, Charles Opondo, Sharon Cameron","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202479","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202479","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pregnancy within a year of childbirth has negative impacts on women and their children's health. We developed a digital health intervention (DHI) to empower women in contraceptive choices postpartum. Our pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to establish the feasibility of a main RCT of the effects of the DHI compared with standard care on long-acting contraception use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Our pilot RCT recruited 52, 20-24 weeks pregnant women in NHS Lothian, UK between October 2022 and April 2023. Participants were randomised 7:3 to receive either the DHI (n=37) in addition to standard care, or standard care alone (n=15). Telephone survey follow-up was at 24 weeks' gestation and 6 weeks postpartum. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n=10) were conducted with participants receiving the DHI.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All eligible women joined the study and completed follow-up. All intervention participants found the animation highly acceptable; one participant requested text message discontinuation. We completed followed up on 37/37 (100%) of participants. DHI participants reported they valued access to credible contraceptive information that supported decision making in a non-pressurised way.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our DHI is highly acceptable and a trial is feasible. A larger trial is needed to establish if the DHI increases uptake of long-acting reversible contraception postpartum and reduces unintended pregnancies within 12 months of childbirth.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>(Trial registration ISRCTN48521918).</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143000470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rosie McNee, Hannah McCulloch, Patricia A Lohr, Anna Glasier
{"title":"Self-reported contraceptive method use at conception among patients presenting for abortion in England: a cross-sectional analysis comparing 2018 and 2023.","authors":"Rosie McNee, Hannah McCulloch, Patricia A Lohr, Anna Glasier","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202573","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202573","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Recent media attention has been given to an apparent shift away from hormonal methods of contraception. While an increase in fertility awareness-based or 'natural' family planning methods is reported in the grey literature, there are no robust data to determine any such trend in the UK.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We compared self-reported contraceptive use at conception among patients presenting for abortion at British Pregnancy Advisory Service from January to June 2018 (N=33 495) and January to June 2023 (N=55 055) using chi-square (χ<sup>2</sup>) tests of association.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Reported use of fertility awareness-based methods of contraception around the time of conception increased from 0.4% in 2018 to 2.5% in 2023 (p<0.001). In contrast, use of hormonal methods of contraception decreased from 18.8% in 2018 to 11.3% in 2023 (p<0.001) and use of long-acting reversible contraception fell from 3% to 0.6% (p<0.001). Those reporting using no contraception at the time of conception significantly increased by 14% (p<0.001) when comparing data from 2018 (55.8%) with data from 2023 (69.6%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Significantly fewer abortion patients report using effective methods of contraception around conception while also reporting an increased use of fertility awareness-based methods. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for this change.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142977615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Remember vasectomy: challenges and successes-one small snip for mankind.","authors":"Gareth James, Melanie Atkinson","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202431","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142944877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating the effectiveness of a tailored online educational video on the contraceptive knowledge and decision making of young women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: findings from the EXTEND-PREFER study.","authors":"Danielle Mazza, Jessica R Botfield, Jessie Zeng, Claudia Morando-Stokoe, Noushin Arefadib","doi":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202236","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsrh-2024-202236","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Young Australian women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are vulnerable to unwanted pregnancy. We aimed to assess whether an online educational video, co-designed with young CALD women, can increase their contraceptive knowledge, preference for and uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Online advertising was used to recruit young CALD women aged 16-25 years. Participants completed the pre-video survey (S1), watched the 13-min co-designed video, then completed a survey immediately afterwards (S2) and 6 months later (S3). Outcomes were analysed using McNemar tests and multivariate logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 160 participants watched the video, completed S1 and S2, and 57% of those completed S3. At S1 only 14% rated their knowledge about every contraceptive method as high. Knowledge improved at S2 for all methods (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 2.0 to 5.0) and LARC (aOR 4.7, 95% CI 2.9 to 7.5). Overall method preference for LARC increased from 2.5% (n=4) at S1 to 51% (n=82) at S2. Likelihood of using a LARC increased at S2 (aOR 3.8, 95% CI 2.6 to 5.6). The overall proportion of participants using a LARC increased from 8% at S1 to 11% at S3; however, this increase was not significant (p=0.7).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The significant increase in knowledge, likelihood of use, and preference for LARC underscores the potential of online video-based contraceptive education to address contraceptive knowledge gaps and challenge misconceptions about LARC held by young women. Combining contraceptive education with supports to LARC access is crucial for empowering young CALD women to make informed contraceptive decisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9219,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health","volume":" ","pages":"18-26"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141316730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}