Contraceptive use in Spain during the first sexual encounter is similar to other European countries. Contraceptive use shows positive correlation in women with a university education and negative correlation amongst women from poor backgrounds.

A study to evaluate birth control methods has found dramatic differences in their effectiveness. Women who used birth control pills, the patch or vaginal ring were 20 times more likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those who used longer-acting forms such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant.

A new study adds to the evidence that certain non-oral hormonal contraceptives carry a higher risk of serious blood clots than others.

A new article highlights the importance of a woman’s ability to time her childbearing. The author asserts that contraception is a means of health promotion and women who work with their health care providers to ensure they are healthy prior to conceiving can minimize their risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

The first large-scale U.S.-based study to evaluate the link between an injectable form of progestin-only birth control and breast cancer risk in young women has found that recent use of a year or more doubles the risk.

A large Scandinavian study that has been running for 30 years has finally provided convincing evidence that the combined oral contraceptive pill does, indeed, alleviate the symptoms of painful menstrual periods – dysmenorrhoea.

Researchers found that a significant number of women evaluated at six-month intervals did not recognize recent gains in weight. Self-perception of weight gain appears to be significantly influenced by race, ethnicity and contraceptive methods.

The birth control shot Depo Provera offers a convenient alternative for women who don’t want to remember to take a daily pill. Ironically, new research has shown the shot actually may impair a person’s memory.

Today’s hormonal forms of contraception are vastly different than earlier forms, both with lower levels of hormones and with different means of delivery (not just a pill), but many of the same problems related to women’s pleasure remain. A new study that examined how newer forms of hormonal contraception affect things such as arousal, lubrication and orgasm, found that they could still hamper important aspects of sexuality despite the family planning benefits and convenience.

A new study confirms previous findings that certain oral contraceptive pills are more likely to cause serious blood clots than others.