G Model MAT-6134; No. of Pages 1
ARTICLE IN PRESS Maturitas xxx (2014) xxx–xxx
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Maturitas journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/maturitas
Letter to the Editor Health benefits of hormonal contraception夽 Keywords: Perimenopause Hormonal contraception Non-contraceptive benefits
Dear Editor, We are grateful to Dr. Nicolás Mendoza and Dr. Rafael SánchezBorrego for bringing attention to the subject of non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal contraceptives (HCs), which is not included in our recent review of contraceptive use during perimenopause [1]. Just as there is data lacking on contraceptive effectiveness of HCs for women over age 40, there is also a paucity of data for non-contraceptive benefits in this age group, such as decreased menstrual bleeding. We do present data particular to perimenopausal and postmenopausal women for the benefits of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), which include reduction in total menstrual blood loss, endometrial protection, and avoidance of hysterectomy [2,3]. We agree that research focused on the benefits of combined HCs in this population would be helpful.
References [1] Baldwin MK, Jensen JT. Contraception during the perimenopause. Maturitas 2013;76(3):235–42. [2] Milsom I. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system as an alternative to hysterectomy in peri-menopausal women. Contraception 2007;75(6 Suppl.):S152–4. [3] Sitruk-Ware R. The levonorgestrel intrauterine system for use in peri- and postmenopausal women. Contraception 2007;75(6 Suppl.):S155–60.
Maureen K. Baldwin ∗ Jeffrey T. Jensen Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States ∗ Corresponding author at: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mailcode: UHN 50, Portland, OR 97239, United States. Tel.: +1 503 494 9762; fax: +1 503 494 3111. E-mail address:
[email protected] (M.K. Baldwin)
27 February 2014 Available online xxx
夽 Dr. Jensen has received payments for consulting from Bayer Healthcare, Merck, Agile Pharmaceuticals, HRA Pharma, and the Population Council, and for giving talks for Bayer and Merck. He has also received research funding from Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, the Population Council, the National Institute of Health, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These companies and organizations may have a commercial or financial interest in the results of this research and technology. These potential conflicts of interest have been reviewed and managed by OHSU. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.02.019 0378-5122/© 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Please cite this article in press as: Baldwin MK, Jensen JT. Health benefits of hormonal contraception. Maturitas (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.02.019