Vinita Goyal

Reproductive coercion and co-occurring intimate partner violence in obstetrics and gynecology patients.

OBJECTIVE Reproductive coercion is male behavior to control contraception and pregnancy outcomes of female partners. We examined the prevalence of reproductive coercion and co-occurring intimate partner violence among women presenting for routine care at a large, urban obstetrics and gynecology clinic. STUDY DESIGN Women aged 18-44 years completed a self-administered, anonymous survey. Reproductive coercion was defined as a positive response to at least 1 of 14 questions derived from previously published studies. Women who experienced reproductive coercion were also assessed for intimate partner violence in the relationship where reproductive coercion occurred. RESULTS Of 641 women who completed the survey, 16% reported reproductive coercion currently or in the past. Among women who experienced reproductive coercion, 32% reported that intimate partner violence occurred in the same relationship. Single women were more likely to experience reproductive coercion as well as co-occurring intimate partner violence. CONCLUSION Reproductive coercion with co-occurring intimate partner violence is prevalent among women seeking general obstetrics and gynecology care. Health care providers should routinely assess reproductive-age women for reproductive coercion and intimate partner violence and tailor their family planning discussions and recommendations accordingly.

Higher dose cervical 2% lidocaine gel for IUD insertion: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of 6 mL of 2% lidocaine cervical gel for pain during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. STUDY DESIGN This is a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of 6 mL of 2% lidocaine gel for IUD insertion pain among first-time IUD users. No other analgesia other than the study intervention was provided. The study was conducted at a university-based obstetrics and gynecology clinic. The primary outcome, pain during IUD insertion on a 0 to 100-mm visual analog scale, was analyzed using the t test. RESULTS Seventy-three women received placebo gel, and 72 women received 2% lidocaine gel. The groups had similar sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Baseline pain scores with speculum insertion were no different between the two groups. The lidocaine group reported a mean pain score with tenaculum placement of 37.5 (median: 39) compared to the placebo group of 41.6 (median: 37) (p=.4). Similarly, pain with IUD insertion was no different with a mean pain score of 35.2 (median: 34) in the lidocaine group and 36.7 (median 36) in the placebo group (p=.8). CONCLUSIONS Two percent lidocaine gel placed on the anterior lip of the cervix and at the internal os did not reduce pain with tenaculum placement and IUD insertion compared to placebo gel. IMPLICATIONS Among first-time IUD users, including both nulliparous and multiparous women, 6 mL of 2% lidocaine gel placed on the anterior lip of the cervix and at the internal os for 3 min did not reduce pain with tenaculum placement and IUD insertion compared to placebo gel.

Unintended pregnancy and contraception among active-duty servicewomen and veterans

The number of women of childbearing age who are active-duty service members or veterans of the US military is increasing. These women may seek reproductive health care at medical facilities operated by the military, in the civilian sector, or through the Department of Veterans Affairs. This article reviews the current data on unintended pregnancy and prevalence of and barriers to contraceptive use among active-duty and veteran women. Active-duty servicewomen have high rates of unintended pregnancy and low contraceptive use, which may be due to official prohibition of sexual activity in the military, logistic difficulties faced by deployed women, and limited patient and provider knowledge of available contraceptives. In comparison, little is known about rates of unintended pregnancy and contraceptive use among women veterans. Based on this review, research recommendations to address these issues are provided.

The effect of immediate postpartum compared to delayed postpartum and interval etonogestrel contraceptive implant insertion on removal rates for bleeding

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the discontinuation rate of the etonogestrel contraceptive implant due to irregular vaginal bleeding among women with immediate postpartum insertion is increased compared to delayed postpartum and interval placement. STUDY DESIGN This retrospective cohort study compared women who underwent immediate postpartum etonogestrel contraceptive implant insertion (within 96 h of delivery) to delayed postpartum (6 to 12 weeks postpartum) and interval insertion between January 2008 and December 2010. Charts were reviewed for date and reason for removal. A chi-squared test was used to compare discontinuation due to bleeding between cohorts. Baseline characteristics predictive of implant removal were evaluated by simple logistic regression. RESULTS There were 259 women in the immediate postpartum group, 49 in the delayed postpartum group and 106 in the interval group. Average age at insertion was 22.6 (±5.5) years. Overall, 19.3% of women in the immediate postpartum group requested removal due to irregular bleeding compared to 18.4% in the delayed postpartum group [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-2.33] and 20.8% in the interval group (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.52-1.60). There was no difference between groups in premature removal rates for any side effect. There were no sociodemographic or clinical characteristics predictive of removal in any group. CONCLUSION One-fifth of etonogestrel contraceptive implant users requested premature removal due to irregular bleeding. Immediate postpartum implant insertion does not lead to increased removal rates and may help reduce unintended pregnancy. Mechanisms to help women manage irregular bleeding due to the implant are needed. IMPLICATIONS Immediate postpartum insertion of the etonogestrel contraceptive implant does not lead to increased removal rates due to vaginal bleeding compared to delayed postpartum or interval insertion. Immediate postpartum implant insertion may increase uptake of long-acting reversible contraception and help reduce short interpregnancy intervals and unintended pregnancy.