The Checkup Archive: Contraception

Controversial 'ella' contraceptive now available in U.S. for first time

A controversial new form of emergency contraception known as "ella" is now available to American women for the first time, the company selling the drug announced Wednesday. Ella, which can prevent a pregnancy as many as five days after sex, can be obtained by U.S. women who get a prescription...

By Rob Stein  | December 1, 2010; 9:57 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (12)
Categories:  Abortion, Contraception, FDA  
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Acne, Accutane and suicide risk

Based on the findings, the authors suggest that acne itself may have led to depression and suicide risk before treatment; both the depression and desire to commit suicide may have abated when the treatment proved successful. However, they surmise, those patients for whom treatment wasn't as successful -- or whose social lives didn't improve as expected after their acne was eradicated -- may have felt even more depressed and suicidal.

By Jennifer LaRue Huget  | November 15, 2010; 7:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (5)
Categories:  Acne, Chronic Conditions, Contraception, Psychology, Reproductive Health, Teens, drug safety  
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Will pharmacists fill 'ella' prescriptions?

Even before a controversial new form of emergency contraception arrives on pharmacy shelves in the United States, opponents have launched a campaign to persuade pharmacists not to fill prescriptions for the drug. The Family Research Council is asking supporters to start lobbying their local pharmacists to refuse to dispense the drug, known as "ella."

By Rob Stein  | September 21, 2010; 11:38 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (6)
Categories:  Abortion, Birth Control, Contraception, Pregnancy, Women's Health  
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