Please note: This archive was last updated in 2005.
RHO archives : Topics : Contraceptive Methods
Links
Updated: December 4, 2003
Listed below are useful web resources on contraceptive methods, their medical eligibility criteria, and family planning program considerations.
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If you know of a resource to be included in this list, please send the URL (web address) and a description to: [email protected].
Resources
Contraception Online
www.contraceptiononline.org/
Developed by the Baylor College of Medicine, Contraception Online provides
information on contraceptive, family planning, and reproductive health topics
for physicians (CME) and allied health professionals. Resources include
a Slide Library with talking points and references, which readers can download
and use to create a customized presentation, and Online Meetings, which
enable readers to view CME talks by leaders in reproductive health. The
website is also the home of the Contraception Report, which offers
regularly updated, online CME monographs addressing current topics in contraception
and reproductive health, including patient education.
Global
Reproductive Health Forum
www.hsph.harvard.edu/organizations/healthnet/index.html
The contraception section of this extensive site has more than 25 links
to organizations and publications as well as lists of listservs, bulletin
boards, and online magazines about contraceptive issues. The site is designed
by Harvard School of Public Health to promote networking and an exchange
of perspectives on gender, rights, and reproductive health issues.
The
Health Manager's Toolkit
http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=1.0.htm&module=toolkit&language=english
The Health Manager's Toolkit is a collection of management tools designed
by Management Sciences for Health. Topics include logistics, planning, and
training. Tools are available online in a variety of formats.
Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown
University
www.irh.org
The Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University, conducts research,
advances scientific information, and provides technical resources related
to natural family planning and fertility awareness. Their website includes
training tools, research updates, and publications that are provided at
no cost to individuals and organizations in developing countries.
Journal of
the American Medical Women's Association (JAMWA)
http://jamwa.amwa-doc.org
This site includes the Fall 1998 special issue of the Journal of the
American Women's Medical Association (volume 53, number 5), which includes
16 articles on emergency
contraception Available at: www.jamwa.org/vol53/toc53_5.html).
Media/Materials
Clearinghouse - Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication
Programs JHU/CCP
www.jhuccp.org/mmc/index.stm
The Media/Materials Clearinghouse (M/MC) is an international resource for
health professionals who seek media or materials on family planning, reproductive
health, and related issues. Based at the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication
Programs (JHU/CCP), the M/MC is funded by the United States Agency for International
Development to improve the quality of reproductive health communication
in developing countries.
PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health): Materials
for Diverse Audiences
www.path.org/resources/ec_client-mtrls.htm
These publications contain information on emergency contraception in 13
languages (Amharic, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, English, Haitian-Creole,
Korean, Laotian, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
There are two sets of materials: Emergency Contraception: It's Not
Too Late To Prevent Pregnancy, a tri-fold brochure intended to increase
people's awareness and provide a simple explanation of emergency contraception,
when it is used, possible side effects, and where to get it; and Instructions
for Use of Emergency Contraceptive Pills, which provides detailed
information on different brands of oral contraceptives that can be used
for emergency contraception, when and how to take the pills, the correct
doses, and possible side effects. Both the brochures and instructions for
use are prototype materials designed to be downloaded from the website and
photocopied or adapted as needed.
Reproductive Health Technologies Project
www.rhtp.org
This site provides valuable information about reproductive health issues,
including emergency contraception (providers, emergency contraception, media
campaigns, and free pamphlets and education materials), microbicide research,
early abortion, IUDs, and advocacy for reproductive rights.
ReproLine: Reproductive Health
Online
www.reproline.jhu.edu
ReproLine offers specific information about contraceptive methods and also
covers some other reproductive health topics, including family planning
program issues. The site is designed and maintained by the JHPIEGO Corporation
for use by teachers, trainers, and policy makers with a technical or clinical
background who are involved in setting policy for service delivery systems.
Of particular interest at this site is the online version of Recommendations
for Updating Selected Practices in Contraceptive Use: Results of a Technical
Meeting (www.reproline.jhu.edu/english/6read/6multi/tgwg/6tgwg.htm),
which was prepared by the Technical Guidance Working Group. The site also
provides information and presentation materials on various family
planning methods (www.reproline.jhu.edu/english/1fp/1methods/1methods.htm).
Reproductive Health and Rights Center Contraceptive
Methods page
www.choice.org/2.contracept.html
This page includes an extensive collection of links to sources of information
on contraceptive methods, including their description, effectiveness, instructions,
advantages, and disadvantages. Most links are to university health services
in the United States.
SEATS II: Family Planning
and Service Expansion and Technical Support Project
www.jsi.com/intl/seats/
This USAID-funded project has made many full-text publications available
online on issues pertaining to high-quality, client-centered, sustainable
family planning and reproductive health services in developing countries.
John Snow, the American College of Nurse Midwives, PATH, EngenderHealth,
International, Initiatives, and World Education implement this project.
Organizations
Alan Guttmacher
Institute (AGI)
www.agi-usa.org/index.html
AGI produces numerous materials, including articles, brochures, and comprehensive
information on contraception. Use the search feature to locate articles
from International Family Planning Perspectives and other relevant
material.
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
(ARHP)
www.arhp.org
ARHP is an interdisciplinary association of professionals who provide reproductive
health services or education, conduct reproductive health research, or influence
reproductive health policy in the United States. Their website includes
patient-education materials about contraceptive choices, continuing medical-education
information, and publications on many aspects of reproductive health. ARHP
educational programs focus on family planning, contraception, sexually transmitted
diseases, HIV/AIDS, menopause, sexuality, reproductive cancers, urogenital
disorders, infertility, and abortion.
Center for Communication Programs,
Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health
www.jhuccp.org/
Very rich source for family planning and reproductive health information.
The site hosts PopInform, Media/Materials Clearinghouse (M/MC), Population
Reports, Videoshare, NetLinks, and ImageBase. It is also home to Jim
Shelton's "Pearls," which features a weekly response to commonly
asked questions about family planning. www.jhuccp.org/pearls/index.stm
Contraceptive
Research and Development Program (CONRAD)
www.conrad.org/
CONRAD's primary objective is the development of new or improved contraceptive
methods that are safe, effective, acceptable, and suitable for use in the
United States and developing countries. The site describes CONRAD's grant
programs and lists workshops they have presented.
EngenderHealth
www.engenderhealth.org/wh/fp/index.html
EngenderHealth (formerly AVSC International) works worldwide to improve
the lives of individuals by making reproductive health services safe, available,
and sustainable. They provide technical assistance, training, and information,
with a focus on practical solutions that improve services where resources
are scarce. They work in partnership with governments, institutions, and
health care professionals to ensure that individuals have the right to make
informed decisions about their reproductive health and to receive care that
meets their needs.
Family Health International
(FHI)
www.fhi.org
FHI works to improve reproductive health around the world, with an emphasis
on developing countries. This site includes more than 1,000 full-text articles
and other materials (books, reports, training materials) on family planning
and contraceptive methods, making it one of the largest online collections
on this topic. The publications
page (www.fhi.org/en/gen/nfhipubs.html) lists issues of Network
that focus on oral contraceptives, barrier methods, and IUDs. Their site
also provides access to A
Guide to Research Findings on the Cairo Consensus (www.fhi.org/en/fp/fpother/caicons/index.html),
which was produced by the Population Reference Bureau and the Population
Council for the Task Force on Communicating Research Findings. The site
also provides information for program planners and others on the appropriate
role of the female
condom (www.fhi.org/en/topics/fc/index.html) in reproductive health
programs, as well as helpful research briefs about related key
issues (www.fhi.org/en/topics/fc/fcbriefs.html). The site and its contents
are available in English, Arabic, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Global Campaign for Microbicides
www.global-campaign.org
The Global Campaign for Microbicides is a broad-based, international effort
to build support among policy makers, opinion leaders, and the general public
for increased investment into microbicides and other user-controlled prevention
methods. The campaign works via its secretariat (PATH)
and member groups to cultivate awareness and demand for microbicides and
to translate that demand into concrete political action. Through advocacy,
policy analysis, and social science research, the campaign works to accelerate
product development, facilitate widespread access and use, and protect the
needs and interests of users, especially women. The site includes information
about microbicides and the female condom.
International Planned Parenthood Federation
(IPPF)
www.ippf.org
IPPF links national, autonomous Family Planning Associations (FPAs) in more
than 150 countries worldwide. They are committed to promoting the right
of women and men to decide freely the number and spacing of their children
and the right to the highest possible level of sexual and reproductive health.
Their Web site hosts the complete text of the IPPF Charter on Sexual
and Reproductive Rights, as well as headline news and ordering information
for their publications.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Contraceptive
Research and Programs
www.jhbmc.jhu.edu/obgyn/CRAP.html
This clinical research program is investigating two new barrier methods
of contraception (Lea's Shield and Femcap), a single
implant hormonal contraceptive (Implanon), and a combination
hormonal monthly injection (Lunelle). The site describes additional
areas of research and provides contact information.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Contraception
and Reproductive Health Branch
www.nichd.nih.gov/cpr_crh/
This branch of the NICHD develops and supports research and research-training
programs in reproductive health, epidemiology, and contraceptive technology.
Their 1999
report (www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/coun_crh.htm) provides information
about contraceptive research and development in the United States, prevention
of HIV/AIDS/STIs, research highlights, and future directions of contraceptive
technology.
PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology
in Health)
www.path.org
This site provides numerous resources related to family planning and reproductive
health. The Women's
Health page (www.path.org/programs/womenshealth.htm ) includes links
to information on contraceptive production, emergency contraception, a new
diaphragm, and related issues. The site also provides information about
increasing access to emergency
contraceptive pills (www.path.org/resources/ec_better_access_to_ecps.htm)
and the female
condom (www.path.org/files/htup-Vaginal_Condom.pdf).
Pathfinder International
www.pathfind.org
Pathfinder works with institutions worldwide to improve access to good quality
reproductive health information and services and to enable reproductive
health choices. This site includes a range of publications, training protocols,
and other useful information.
Planned Parenthood Federation
of America
www.plannedparenthood.org/
Planned Parenthood develops a variety of publications on sexual and reproductive
health, contraception, and STIs for U.S. readers. The Birth Control section
describes contraceptive methods with a user focus.
Population Action International
(PAI)
www.populationaction.org
PAI advocates the expansion of voluntary family planning, other reproductive
health services, and educational and economic opportunities for girls and
women. This page lets readers order a wall chart on "Contraceptive
Choice: Worldwide Access to Family Planning 1997." The chart highlights
the progress countries have made in expanding access to contraception in
recent years and shows how far many developing and some developed countries
still need to go to make the full range of contraceptive options available.
The Population
Council
www.popcouncil.org
The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution
that carries out a range of reproductive health research and policy work.
The council provides many publications and working papers that are available
through this site. The site provides information on programs, such as the
Robert H. Ebert Program
(www.popcouncil.org/ebert/ebert.html), that aim to improve women's health
services by considering the full spectrum of reproductive health from contraception
and prevention of STIs to postpartum care and infant health. Population
Council staff have conducted research on a wide range of reproductive health
issues in Mexico for over two decades. Information about some of the Population
Council's recent projects
in Mexico (www.popcouncil.org/lac/mexico.html) on topics such as emergency
contraception, family planning, and informed consent in method choice is
available in English and Spanish. Other Population Council work includes:
- The Population Council's Center
for Biomedical Research (www.popcouncil.org/divisions/cbr.html), which
undertakes basic research in the reproductive sciences and develops technologies
that enable individuals to have safe, planned pregnancies, and that promote
their reproductive health. The center has developed four types of copper
IUDs, a Norplant contraceptive implant system, Jadelle (a two-rod levonorgestrel
implant), and Mirena (the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system).
- The council's Contraceptive Development Program (www.popcouncil.org/biomed/contradev.html), which develops new contraceptive methods to increase the reproductive choices for women and men and to meet the needs of underserved groups. They currently are focused on two Population Council steroids: Nestorone for female contraception and MENT for men. Areas of product development for women include implant technology, intrauterine delivery systems, gels and patches for transdermal delivery systems, and vaginal rings. Areas of male contraceptive development covers immunocontraception, implants, and transdermal delivery systems.
United Nations Development Program/United Nations Population Fund/World
Health Organization/World Bank Special
Programme of Research, Development & Research Training in Human Reproduction
(WHO/HRP)
www.who.int/hrp/hrp_home.html
WHO/HRP is the major research arm of WHO's overall reproductive health program.
A wide selection of HRP's technical reports, newsletters, and annual reports
are available full text online.
United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA)
www.unfpa.org/index.htm
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a multilateral organization
working to improve reproductive health worldwide. The website includes publications
and information related to numerous family planning and reproductive health
issues.
Contraceptive methods
Billings Ovulation
Method of Natural Family Planning
www.billings-centre.ab.ca/
The Billings Ovulation Method is based on observations of changes in cervical
mucus secretion throughout a woman's menstrual cycle. By observing the presence
or absence of cervical mucus, a woman can identify fertile and infertile
times. This Australian site includes articles, charts, and instruction materials
about the Billings method.
Cervical Cap Limited
www.cervcap.com/
This commercial site contains information about the cervical cap from its
manufacturer.
Consortium for Emergency Contraception
www.cecinfo.org/
The Consortium for Emergency Contraception is an international collaboration
among eight organizations committed to making a dedicated product for emergency
contraception a standard part of reproductive health care around the world.
Their website contains comprehensive information about ECPs, including common
questions and answers, medical and service delivery guidelines, information
on training for health professionals and developing local ECP programs,
and information for clients. The site is available in English, French, Portuguese,
and Spanish.
Emergency Contraception Web Site
http://not-2-late.com
http://ec.princeton.edu/
Maintained by the Office of Population Research at Princeton University,
this site provides accurate information, based on the medical literature,
about emergency contraception. It focuses on U.S. service provision, but
includes a page entitled "Emergency
Contraception Around the World" (http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/default.asp),
which provides country-specific information on oral contraceptives that
can be used for emergency contraception. This website is available in English,
French, Spanish, and, most recently, Arabic.
The Female Health Company
www.femalehealth.com/
The Female Health Company manufactures and distributes the female condom.
This site lists international distributors and public health partners, explains
how to use the condom, provides updates on acceptability studies, and reports
on social marketing efforts. It also includes instructions for use.
Georgetown University
Institute for Reproductive Health
www.irh.org/
Part of Georgetown University's School of Medicine and Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, the Institute for Reproductive Health conducts research,
advances scientific information, and provides policy support in natural
family planning and fertility awareness. Formed in 1985, the institute's
work currently focuses on investigating and developing new natural family
planning approaches; improving and streamlining service delivery for NFP
methods; and assisting in the integration of NFP into family planning and
reproductive health programs. This site also links to recent publications
and updates of current research.
POPLINE
www.jhuccp.org/popline
POPLINE (POPulation information onLINE) is the world's largest bibliographic
database on population, family planning, and related health issues. It is
produced by the Population Information Program at the Johns Hopkins School
of Hygiene and Public Health with funding from the U.S. Agency for International
Development. POPLINE provides citations with abstracts for several hundred
thousand records representing published and unpublished literature in the
field. Readers can search on numerous contraceptive topics, including oral
contraceptives, condoms, female condoms, IUDs, natural family planning,
and injectable contraceptives. POPLINE is available free of charge on CD-ROM
for developing-country organizations, as are specialized searches and full-text
copies of most articles.
Topics: Natural Family
Planning
www.jhuccp.org/topics/nfp.shtml
This site organizes and presents in one location all the materials from
the Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Programs online resources
on the topic of Natural Family Planning, including links to the Media
and Materials Clearinghouse and to POPLINE digital
services.