Contraceptive Pearl: Do You Quick Start?

When a patient wants to start hormonal contraception, many clinicians use the Sunday start method – but Sunday start isn’t the only way. Quickstart means initiating contraception on the day of an office visit, at any point in the patient’s menstrual cycle. Learn about Quickstart in this Contraceptive Pearl.

Contraceptive Pearl: Do You Under Use IUDs?

In most developed countries, 10-25% of women of reproductive age use intrauterine devices (IUDs) – yet in the United States, only 2% of reproductive-age women use IUDs. This Contraceptive Pearl explores the benefits of IUDs.

Expanding Access to the Self-Administered Contraceptive Injection

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), often referred to by the brand name, Depo Provera, or “the depo shot,” is birth control that is administered as an injection every three months to prevent pregnancy. The most common form is an intramuscular injection, which usually involves going to a health care provider — like a doctor, nurse, or…

Hormonal Contraception, Breast Cancer, and Communicating Risk to Patients

This Contraceptive Pearl clarifies how to communicate risk to address questions regarding cancer risk for users of hormonal contraception.

Insights: Post-Abortion Follow-Up: What Is Essential vs Optional

Written by Carolina I. Burgos-Pagan, MD Post-abortion follow-up care is an important component of high-quality abortion services; however, routine in-person follow-up is not medically required for most patients after uncomplicated medication or procedural abortion. Guidance from ACOG, AAFP, WHO, the National Abortion Federation (NAF), and the Society of Family Planning (SFP) emphasizes that follow-up should…

Insights: Acetaminophen and Autism Risk in Pregnancy

Written by Alissa Akselrod PharmD Candidate 2025 and Regina Ginzburg Pharm.D., CDCES, BC-ADM In September 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the potential link between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the development of autism.1 However, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of…

Insights: Pain Control for Uterine Aspiration

Written by Julia Ellis-Kahana, MD and Mollie Nisen, MD Effective management of pain during uterine aspiration is critical for patient autonomy, satisfaction and safety.1 A patient’s experience of pain is influenced by a combination of distinct physical, emotional, and social factors. Therefore, a multimodal approach, guided by shared-decision making, and incorporating both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic…

Insights: Opioid Use in Pregnancy and Preconception

Written by Evan Fu, PharmD Candidate 2025, and Regina Ginzburg, Pharm.D., CDCES, BC-ADM Opioid use has increased dramatically over the last two decades, including among people of reproductive age. The number of pregnant people with opioid use disorder (OUD) presenting to the hospital at labor and delivery quadrupled between 1999 and 2014.1 A recent data analysis…

Insights: Benzodiazepine Use in Pregnancy and Lactation

Written by Crystal Lai, PharmD Candidate 2025 & Regina Ginzburg, Pharm.D., CDCES, BC-ADM Benzodiazepines are a class of medications indicated for generalized anxiety disorder, seizures, and insomnia. These drugs end in “lam or pam,” such as alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam, or clonazepam.1 Despite their potential to cause serious adverse effects and potential for abuse, 5% of people…

Insights: Catheter for Uterine Suction (FOCUS) for Severe Post-Abortion Hemorrhage

Written by Sophie Renaud MD, Frank Jackson DO Severe hemorrhage remains one of the most life-threatening complications after miscarriage and abortion, yet treatment options beyond uterotonics and hysterectomy are limited. The Jada device is currently the only approved vacuum device for uterine hemorrhage, but it was only studied for use in immediate postpartum hemorrhage in…