Clinical Considerations with Low-Dose Contraceptives: Current Expert Opinions

Contraception management and counseling are a routine part of primary care practice. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists are uniquely positioned to counsel women on combined oral contraceptives (COCs), their impact on other medications they may be taking for concurrent conditions, and the impact other medications may have on COC effectiveness. Healthcare providers may be unaware of the most recent data related to clinical considerations such as cycle control and breakthrough bleeding; body mass and COC efficacy; androgenicity; migraines and headaches; dysmenorrhea; women with coexisting conditions; and the effects of COCs on cancer risk, bone density, and libido. This comprehensive audio discussion is designed to keep clinicians informed so that they may better counsel women seeking contraceptive advice.

Visit http://www.contraceptioncme.net for a 1-hour audio program that reviews data on safety, effectiveness, and noncontraceptive benefits of low-dose COCs, available evidence on the characteristics of the ethinyl estradiol and progestin components in low-dose COCs, and effective methods for counseling women on this form of contraception.