birth-control-29.matches:
birth control pill
A view of delayed parenting: some implications of a new trend.

Frankel SA, Wise MJ.

The voluntary postponement of childbearing until after age 30 has become much more common, especially as new opportunities for women have emerged. Little is understood about the psychological impact on parenting and on children of women's reordering of priorities with greater emphasis on work outside the home. The assumption is made and corroborated that older mothers, who have developed competence in the world before childbearing, bring to the mothering experience strengths and shortcomings different from those of their younger counterparts. The same is assumed to be true of fathers. In a study of "on time" and delayed parenting, we found older mothers with established careers to be generally more accepting and less conflicted in the parenting role than were younger professional women. They revealed strengths which were concomitant with their level of maturity and which seemed generally advantageous for their children's development. This study suggests the need for further inquiry into the profound impact on children of parental developmental achievements and indicates that the controversy about working versus nonworking mothers may be of much less importance than an understanding of adult development and its impact on the quality of parenting.

PIP: The voluntary postponement of childbearing until after age 30 has become much more common, especially as new opportunities for women have merged. The increase in the number of women who make these decisions has been based medically on the introduction of birth control pills in the early 1960's, on the legalization of abortion in the 1970's, and on the advent of amniocenteses and improved prenatal and obstetrical care. It has been affected socially by the impact of the women's movement, especially since the late 1960's, and by the changing role of women and changing character of the institution of marriage. Marriages now occur later and less frequently, and end more commonly in divorce. The expansion of economic opportunities for women since the 1960's has also affected the decision to bear children late in life, and has generated the concept of the working mother. Little is understood about the psychological impact on parenting and on children of women's reordering of priorities with greater emphasis on work outside the home. In this study of "on time" and delayed parenting, involving interviews with married white college graduates--15 women and 10 men who were age 33 or older when their 1st child was born, and 10 women and 10 men who were "on time" mothers and fathers between the ages of 23-29 when their 1st child was born, it was found that older mothers with established careers tend to be generally more accepting and less conflicted in the parenting role than were younger professional women. The same is true of the fathers. They revealed strengths which were concomitant with their level of maturity and which seemed advantageous for their children's development. These strengths include the capacity for restraint and discipline, a sense of competence, capacity to enjoy the growing child and a greater ability, than the younger parents exibited, to divide their time more comfortably between their children and their social and professional lives. In addition, older parents were financially more secure and able to afford adequate child care and education. This study suggests the need for further inquiry into the profound impact on children of parental development achievements and indicates that the controversy about working verses nonworking mothers may be of much less importance than an understanding of adult development and its impact on the quality of parenting.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7111530&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-29.matches:
birth control pill
Oral contraceptives and breast cancer.

Brinton LA, Hoover R, Szklo M, Fraumeni JF Jr.

A case-control interview study, conducted among participants in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project and involving 963 breast cancer cases and 858 controls, allowed evaluation of the risk of breast cancer associated with use of oral contraceptives. Overall, there was no association between use and risk of disease (RR = 1.1). In addition, there was no indication of increasing risk with years of use or years since initial use, despite slight excess risks observed among users of high-dose preparations. Premenopausal women who used the pill after the age of 40 demonstrated approximately a 50% increased risk, possibly as a result of artificial prolongation of a premenopausal rate of disease incidence. Non-significant excess risks associated with pill use were also seen among premenopausal women who reported a family history of breast cancer in a sister (RR = 3.6) or previous biopsies for benign breast disease (RR = 3.2). The latter excess was limited to women whose use of the pill preceded a first biopsy, suggesting that the types of lesions requiring biopsy among current long-term pill users may be those that predispose to breast cancer.

PIP: A case-control interview study, conducted among participants in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP), a nationwide screening project supported jointly by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, and involving 963 breast cancer cases and 858 controls permitted evaluation of the risk of breast cancer associated with oral contraceptive (OC) use. For this study all women with breast cancer detected during the July 1973-May 1977 period at 28 of the centers were identified. The highest rates of OC use were reported by the youngest women, with approximately 65% of women less than 40 years of age indicating any use of OCs. Use declined with increasing age; only 1% of the women over the age of 60 reported having used birth control pills. No significant association between OC use and risk of breast cancer was observed in any of the 5-year age groups. The relative risks ranged from a low of 0.8 in women less than 40 years of age at breast cancer diagnosis to 1.3 among women aged 45-49. The overall age adjusted relative risk was 1.1. The risks associated with ever use were similar for premenopausal and naturally menopausal women. In neither group was there any linear relationship of risk with years of use of OCs or years since initial use. Among the premenopausal women, the highest risk was observed among users of 7-9 years, whereas users of 10 or more years demonstrated no elevation in risk. A similar pattern of risk among premenopausal women was seen with years since initial use of OCs, with the risk among women whose use began 7-12 years prior to diagnosis exceeding that of women whose use began earlier. Current users had approximately the same risk as those who had discontinued the pill more than 1 year prior to diagnosis. When effects were examined according to age at 1st use of OCs, no excess risks prevailed for the menopausal women in any of the age at 1st use categories. The numbers of users in most categories were limited. Among the premenopausal women, nonsignificant elevations in risk were seen among those whose use began at ages 35-39, ages 45-49, and beyond these ages. No excess risk was observed with any 1 type of pill. 1 subgroup for whom OC usage seemed to exert an adverse effect were women with a family history of breast cancer.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7152784&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-29.matches:
birth control pill
The abortion activists.

Granberg D.

PIP: Presents findings from a 1980 survey undertaken with the cooperation of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) and the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), conducted among 750 members of each organization (response rates were 63% among NARAL and 57% among NLRC members). NRLC members were found to be more likely to have come from large families, and to prefer and have large families. About 70% of NRLC members are Roman Catholic, compared to 4% of NARAL members and about 28% of the general population. 17% of NARAL members are Jewish, compared to almost no NRLC members and 2% for the general population. Protestants and blacks are relatively underrepresented in both organizations. 9 in 10 NRLC members report that religion is very important to them and that they attend services at least once a week, compared to 1 in 5 NARAL members. NRLC members are more likely to have experienced difficulties becoming pregnant, to have had a miscarriage and to have had an unplanned pregnancy. NARAL members are much more likely to have used birth control pills or to be surgically sterilized. Of those who had had an abortion, among the women surveyed, 94% had joined NARAL and only 6% had joined NRLC. High levels of fertility and fertility aspirations among NRLC members appear to reflect a generally conservative approach to personal morality. NRLC members are much more likely to oppose sex education in schools, and birth control information for teenagers, and to favor stricter public policy on divorce. They are also relatively more likely to be opposed to premarital, extramarital, and homosexual relations, and contraceptive sterilization among married couples. The majority of NLRC members oppose the Equal Rights Ammendment; majority of NARAL supports it. The majority of members of both organizations support political, social and economic equality of women in other respects. Attitudes toward abortion were about as expected, although 7 in 10 NRLC members favored legal abortion if the woman's life would be endangered otherwise, and 4 in 10 NARAL members oppose abortion to prevent the birth of a child not of the desired sex. NRLC members are much more likely to be Republicans and describe themselves as conservative. But while more than 8 in 10 NRLC members would oppose a candidate they otherwise support if they disagreed with their abortion stand, fewer than 1/2 the NARAL members say they are 1 issue voters.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7286166&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-2.matches:
birth control pill
Oral feeding with ethinyl estradiol suppresses and treats experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in SJL mice and inhibits the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the central nervous system.

Subramanian S, Matejuk A, Zamora A, Vandenbark AA, Offner H.

Neuroimmunology Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR 97201, USA.

There is much interest in the possible ameliorating effects of estrogen on various autoimmune diseases. We previously established the protective effects of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In the current study we investigated the effectiveness of oral treatment with ethinyl estradiol (EE) on EAE and the mechanisms involved. Ethinyl estradiol is a semisynthetic estrogen compound found in birth control pills, and its chemical structure allows this compound to retain activity when given orally. We found that oral EE, like E2, drastically suppressed EAE induced by proteolipid protein 139-151 peptide when given at initiation of EAE. However, unlike E2, EE reduced clinical severity when given after the onset of clinical signs. Treatment with EE significantly decreased the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-6) by activated T cells as well as the expression of a key matrix metalloproteinase, disease-mediating chemokines/receptors, and IgG2a levels, but increased the expression of TGF-beta 3 in the CNS. The absence of infiltrating lymphocytes together with the suppression of cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase, and chemokines/receptors suggests that EE, like E2, protects mice from EAE by inhibiting the recruitment of T cells and macrophages into the CNS. These results suggest that oral ethinyl estradiol might be a successful candidate as therapy for multiple sclerosis.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12538720&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-2.matches:
birth control pill
Factors affecting adolescent reproductive health in Manitoba.

Martens PJ, Mayer T, Derksen S.

Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. Pat_Martens cpe.umanitoba.ca

OBJECTIVES: To report teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI) rates among Manitoba adolescents, and associated factors including rates of sexual intercourse and contraceptive use. METHODS: Teen pregnancy rates in females aged 15 to 19 for the fiscal years 1994/95 through 1998/99 were derived from the Population Health Research Data Repository and reported by geographical areas and income quintiles. Premature mortality rate (PMR) and the Socioeconomic Factor Index (SEFI) measured the overall health and socioeconomic well-being of regional populations. Data on sexual activity and contraceptive use were derived from the 1996 National Population Health Survey for males and females ages 15 through 19 years. RESULTS: The teen pregnancy rate for Manitoba was 63.2/1000, varying by geography and inversely correlated with income, PMR, and SEFI. 39% (95% CI 33-45) of teens reported sexual intercourse, with higher rates in urban areas (46%, 95 % CI 35-57) and the North (48%, 95% CI 36-60) compared to South Rural (30%, 95% CI 25-34), and in low-income families (68%, 95% CI 53-83) compared with middle/high (33%, 95% CI 26-40). For sexually active females, 42% (95% CI 28-57) used the birth control pill, with higher rates in low-income families (70%, 95% CI 50-90) compared to middle/high income (31%, 95% CI 14-48). Condom use (at last sexual intercourse) was reported by 82% (95% CI 72-92) of adolescents, with trends (though not statistically significant) to lower use in low-income families and the North. CONCLUSION: Reliance on the pill for contraception, combined with low rates of condom use, are public health concerns for adolescents where STI and unintended pregnancy rates are high.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12580389&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-2.matches:
birth control pill
Nulliparity and late menopause are associated with decreased cognitive decline.

McLay RN, Maki PM, Lyketsos CG.

Department of Psychiatry, Naval Medical Center San Diego, California, USA.

Changes in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were examined over a median of 12.8 years in a population of 361 community-dwelling postmenopausal women who had never received estrogen replacement therapy. In a linear regression model that took into account age, education, race, surgical versus natural menopause, use of birth control pills, and MMSE score at baseline, it was found that nulliparous women and women who went through menopause later in life had significantly less cognitive decline. These results suggest that greater lifetime exposure to endogenous estrogen may be associated with less age-related cognitive decline.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12724456&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-16.matches:
birth control pill
Circulating testosterone and prostate-specific antigen in nipple aspirate fluid and tissue are associated with breast cancer.

Sauter ER, Tichansky DS, Chervoneva I, Diamandis EP.

Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 605, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Edward.Sauter mail.tju.edu

Preliminary evidence has associated testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with breast cancer. Our objective was to determine whether a) testosterone levels in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF), serum, or breast tissue are associated with breast cancer; b) testosterone levels in serum are associated with levels in NAF; c) PSA in NAF, serum, or breast tissue is associated with breast cancer; and d) serum PSA is associated with NAF PSA levels. We obtained 342 NAF specimens from 171 women by means of a modified breast pump. Additionally, we collected 201 blood samples from 99 women and 51 tissue samples from 41 subjects who underwent surgical resection for suspected disease. Women currently using birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy were excluded from the study. Controlling for age and menopausal status, serum testosterone was significantly increased in women with breast cancer (p = 0.002). NAF and serum testosterone levels were not associated. Neither NAF nor tissue testosterone was associated with breast cancer. Controlling for menopausal status and age, NAF PSA was significantly decreased in women with breast cancer (p < 0.001). We did not find serum PSA to be associated with breast cancer, although we found an indication that, in postmenopausal women, its levels were lower in women with cancer. Serum PSA was associated with NAF PSA in postmenopausal women (p < 0.001). PSA levels in cancerous tissue were significantly lower than in benign breast specimens from subjects without cancer (p = 0.011), whereas levels of PSA in histologically benign specimens from subjects with cancer were intermediate. Our results suggest that serum testosterone is increased and NAF PSA is decreased in women with breast cancer, with PSA expression being higher in normal than in cancerous breast tissues. NAF and serum PSA levels in postmenopausal women are correlated, suggesting that as laboratory assessment of PSA becomes more sensitive, serum PSA may become useful in identifying women with breast cancer.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11882474&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-2.matches:
birth control pill
Risk factors for breast cancer in a population with high incidence rates.

Wrensch M, Chew T, Farren G, Barlow J, Belli F, Clarke C, Erdmann CA, Lee M, Moghadassi M, Peskin-Mentzer R, Quesenberry CP Jr, Souders-Mason V, Spence L, Suzuki M, Gould M.

University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. wrensch itsa.ucsf.edu

BACKGROUND: This report examines generally recognized breast cancer risk factors and years of residence in Marin County, California, an area with high breast cancer incidence and mortality rates. METHODS: Eligible women who were residents of Marin County diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997-99 and women without breast cancer obtained through random digit dialing, frequency-matched by cases' age at diagnosis and ethnicity, participated in either full in-person or abbreviated telephone interviews. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses, 285 cases were statistically significantly more likely than 286 controls to report being premenopausal, never to have used birth control pills, a lower highest lifetime body mass index, four or more mammograms in 1990-94, beginning drinking after the age of 21, on average drinking two or more drinks per day, the highest quartile of pack-years of cigarette smoking and having been raised in an organized religion. Cases and controls did not significantly differ with regard to having a first-degree relative with breast cancer, a history of benign breast biopsy, previous radiation treatment, age at menarche, parity, use of hormone replacement therapy, age of first living in Marin County, or total years lived in Marin County. Results for several factors differed for women aged under 50 years or 50 years and over. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar distributions of several known breast cancer risk factors, case-control differences in alcohol consumption suggest that risk in this high-risk population might be modifiable. Intensive study of this or other areas of similarly high incidence might reveal other important risk factors proximate to diagnosis.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12817999&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-30.matches:
birth control pill
Counselling needs of women with a maternal history of breast cancer.

Kelly PT.

Thirty-nine women with a maternal history of breast cancer were interviewed to determine their needs, concerns, and health practices pertaining to breast cancer. Each said they had been profoundly affected by their mother's illness. Many had feelings of guilt and anxiety, which had arisen after the diagnosis of their mother's breast cancer. Although most subjects (79%) practiced breast self-examination (BSE), both examiners and nonexaminers felt that their emotional reactions to breast cancer might keep them from performing an adequate examination. Subjects sought frequent breast examinations from a health professional--59% had two or more examinations a year--and found they helped to relieve anxiety. Most of the subjects (82%) though their risk of breast cancer was increased because of their maternal history of breast cancer. They were also concerned about the effects of birth control pills, radiation, and other factors on their breast cancer risk. Although subjects were concerned about risk, they had only vague, and sometimes incorrect, information about the magnitude of the risk. Based on these findings, we suggest that, beginning at the time of their mother's diagnosis, women whose mothers have breast cancer would benefit from ongoing counseling on emotional issues from a service that provides information and counselling about breast cancer risk, from receiving instruction in BSE and from having regularly scheduled examinations from a health care professional.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10249188&dopt=Abstract birth control pill



birth-control-30.matches:
birth control pill
Exploring risks and benefits of the birth control pill.

Dunn DA.

PIP: An activity designed to assist students in comparing the known and suspected risks and benefits involved in taking oral contraceptives (OCs) is presented. It has been used in a college-level, health issues class and probably could be used at the secondary level. The activity could function as a catalyst to a discussion of the research findings on OCs or it could follow such a discussion and be used as a type of evaluation. Each student is given a handout containing profiles of 3 women who are trying to decide whether or not to take OCs. The student must evaluate each characteristic in the profile, provided here, and indicate whether it is a risk or a benefit for the woman in question. The reason(s) for their decision must be listed. After the students have had time to list their individual responses, ideas can be shared during a class discussion. At this time, the group will most likely discover that certain factors represent both a risk and a benefit. Following the discussion of risks and benefits the class may try to reach a consensus and recommend a decision for each women. The students should be encouraged to explain why certain factors carry more weight than others when making a final decision.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6792119&dopt=Abstract birth control pill