Birth Control Pill Trials in Sri Lanka: The History and Politics of Women’s Reproductive Health (1950–1980)

Abstract We examine the sharp expansion in availability of the emergency contraceptive pill in Chile following legalized access through municipal public health care centers. We study the period 2002–2016 and a broad rollout of the emergency contraceptive pill occurring between 2008 and 2011. By combining a number of administrative data sets on health outcomes and pharmaceutical use, and using event-study and difference-in-differences methods, we document that this expansion improved certain classes of women's reproductive health outcomes, notably reducing rates of abortion-related morbidity. These improvements were greater in areas of the country where the rollout of the emergency contraceptive pill was more extensive. We also document some evidence that refusal to provide the emergency contraceptive pill upon a women's request was linked with a worsening in reproductive health outcomes. These results point to the importance of contraceptive access as a determinant of women's reproductive health and well-being and relates to a growing body of work documenting the importance of women's autonomy as a determinant of health.

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ANALISIS PERILAKU KONSUMEN PEREMPUAN TERHADAP KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI DAN PERILAKU PENGGUNAAN PEMBALUT

Marwah Jurnal Perempuan Agama dan Jender ◽

10.24014/marwah.v11i1.498 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Julina Julina

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Consumer Behavior ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Purchase Behavior ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Women’S Reproductive Health ◽

Women's Reproductive Health ◽

Special Time

This research try to discover women consumer behavior towards their reproductive health and the use of pads. It was found that most respondent used magazines, newspapers, or newspapers as sources of information to acquire knowledge about reproductive health. Respondents spent special time to increase knowledge about reproductive health of women and prioritize read articles about women's reproductive health. Pads is one of product that is familiar with the women reproductive health, but women in this study had no certainty about its safety for use and whether the pads can cause cancer. Additionally, more than half of respondents would consider using the traditional way with a washable cloth pads if the current pads is proven can cause cervical cancer. Price of the pads is a factor that affects their purchase behavior and although they have a favorite brand, they are not particularly loyal to the brand if it is not available when needed.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women’s Reproductive Health

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.642755 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Phelan Niamh ◽

Lucy Ann Behan ◽

Lisa Owens

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Cycle Length ◽

Home Schooling ◽

Hormonal Contraception ◽

Median Number ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Women’S Reproductive Health ◽

Women's Reproductive Health ◽

The Impact

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of the global population. It is known that periods of stress and psychological distress can affect women’s menstrual cycles. We therefore performed an observational study of women’s reproductive health over the course of the pandemic thus far.Materials and MethodsAn anonymous digital survey was shared by the authors via social media in September 2020. All women of reproductive age were invited to complete the survey.Results1031 women completed the survey. Mean age was 36.7 ± 6.6 years (range, 15–54). 693/70% reported recording their cycles using an app or diary. 233/23% were using hormonal contraception. 441/46% reported a change in their menstrual cycle since the beginning of the pandemic. 483/53% reported worsening premenstrual symptoms, 100/18% reported new menorrhagia (p = 0.003) and 173/30% new dysmenorrhea (p < 0.0001) compared to before the pandemic. 72/9% reported missed periods who not previously missed periods (p = 0.003) and the median number of missed periods was 2 (1–3). 17/21% of those who “occasionally” missed periods pre-pandemic missed periods “often” during pandemic. 467/45% reported a reduced libido. There was no change in the median cycle length (28 days) or days of bleeding (5) but there was a wider variability of cycle length (p = 0.01) and a 1 day median decrease in the minimum (p < 0.0001) and maximum (p = 0.009) cycle length. Women reported a median 2 kg increase in self-reported weight and a 30-min increase in median weekly exercise. 517/50% of women stated that their diet was worse and 232/23% that it was better than before the pandemic. 407/40% reported working more and 169/16% were working less. Women related a significant increase in low mood (p < 0.0001), poor appetite (p < 0.0001), binge eating (p < 0.0001), poor concentration (p < 0.0001), anxiety (p < 0.0001), poor sleep (p < 0.0001), loneliness (p < 0.0001) and excess alcohol use (p < 0.0001). Specific stressors reported included work stress (499/48%), difficulty accessing healthcare (254/25%), change in financial (201/19%) situation, difficulties with home schooling (191/19%) or childcare (99/10%), family or partner conflict (170/16%), family illness or bereavement (156/15%).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the reproductive health of women. The long term health implications of this are yet to be determined and future studies should address this.

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