Gillian Penney

A population based survey of women's experience of the menopause

Objective To describe the prevalence of, and degree of distress caused by, 15 symptoms commonly attributed to the menopause among a random sample of women aged 45 to 54, selected from the total population of a geographically defined area.

The acceptability of home medical abortion to women in UK settings

Objective  To assess the acceptability of home medical abortion to women in UK settings.

Economic modelling of antenatal screening and ultrasound scanning programmes for identification of fetal abnormalities

Objective  Within the framework of a health technology assessment and using an economic model, to determine the most clinically and cost effective policy of scanning and screening for fetal abnormalities in early pregnancy.

The members' enquiry service: frequently asked questions

The Clinical Effectiveness Unit (CEU) presents an illustrative response of a frequently asked question to the Members’ Enquiry Service on whether or not hormonal contraceptive use by women with a history of pregnancy-related cholestasis is safe or associated with recurrence of cholestasis. The Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs) for combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and progestogen-only pills (POPs) advise against use by women with a history of cholestatic jaundice or with severe pruritis in pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (WHOMEC) however recommends that for women with pregnancy-related cholestasis the benefits of COC use outweigh the risks (WHO Category 2) and progestogen-only methods or non-hormonal methods can be used without restriction (WHO Category 1). No evidence was identified to support an increased risk of recurrence of symptoms with hormonal contraceptive use. The CEU advises that women with a history of pregnancy-related cholestasis should be informed about the unknown risk of recurrence with hormonal contraceptive use. After counselling regarding non-hormonal methods women with a history of pregnancy-related cholestasis may choose to use hormonal methods (COCs POPs progestogen-only injectables implant or intrauterine system). Women should be informed that the use of COCs and POPs in this situation is outside the product licence. (excerpt)