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Debunking Infertility Myths
Jacqueline M. Golding, Ph.D., and Jerome R. Minkoff, M.D., compared 364 female health plan members who received medically appropriate Pap tests with 372 women who had not. Only 36 percent of the women who were sexually abused as children obtained Pap tests within the past two years, compared to 50 percent of women who were not sexually abused as children. Compounding the problem, researchers noted, is the fact that “Women who were sexually abused in childhood have many risk factors for cervical cancer. So it’s crucial for them to get screened. Unfortunately, the sexual trauma that increases their risk of disease may also make them less likely to have cancer screening. A pelvic examination may trigger psychological distress in survivors of sexual abuse.” Additionally, researchers noted, “This study suggests to us that doctors and nurses should be especially aware of patients who are reluctant to have Pap tests. Those women may have been sexually traumatized as children, in which case they need care for psychological trauma as well as special outreach to encourage them to obtain Pap tests.”
December 2002 | January 2003
Debunking Infertility Myths national survey regarding infertility is revealing that contrary to the stereotype of individuals going to any length to get pregnant, infertile men and women take a conservative approach to reproductive technologies. For example, only 9 percent of infertility patients surveyed would consider cloning as a way to have a biological child. While 26 percent were undecided about what to do with unused cryopreserved embryos that were left over following infertility treatment, 17 percent would donate them to another infertile couple, while over half of all respondents said that they would not use donated embryos to achieve pregnancy. Only 34 percent would consider a gestational carrier or surrogate mother to carry their baby, while 22 percent were undecided if they would use this option. The survey, conducted by Advanced Reproductive Care (ARC), a national network of infertility specialists, also revealed
A
• The majority of respondents—72 percent—believe that women over 40 are too old to get pregnant
• 46 percent of all respondents believe that infertility treatment should be made available to same-sex couples, 32 percent disagreed and 22 percent were undecided • 56 percent of infertility patients answering this survey would consider adoption if infertility treatment were unsuccessful, 19 percent would not and 25 percent were undecided • Over 90 percent of respondents believe that insurance should cover infertility diagnosis and treatment The survey was conducted among 200 patients at 14 ARC sites.
Injectable Lunelle Contraceptive Being Recalled
P
harmacia is voluntarily recalling all Lunelle prefilled syringe lots on the market, due to a lack of assurance of full potency and possible risk of contraceptive failure. Lunelle packaged in vials is not affected by this recall. The affected lots were distributed in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during 2002. For a complete report on the recall, go to http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ safety/2002/safety02.htm#lunell.
AWHONN Lifelines
499
December 2002 | January 2003
Debunking Infertility Myths national survey regarding infertility is revealing that contrary to the stereotype of individuals going to any length to get pregnant, infertile men and women take a conservative approach to reproductive technologies. For example, only 9 percent of infertility patients surveyed would consider cloning as a way to have a biological child. While 26 percent were undecided about what to do with unused cryopreserved embryos that were left over following infertility treatment, 17 percent would donate them to another infertile couple, while over half of all respondents said that they would not use donated embryos to achieve pregnancy. Only 34 percent would consider a gestational carrier or surrogate mother to carry their baby, while 22 percent were undecided if they would use this option. The survey, conducted by Advanced Reproductive Care (ARC), a national network of infertility specialists, also revealed
A
• The majority of respondents—72 percent—believe that women over 40 are too old to get pregnant
• 46 percent of all respondents believe that infertility treatment should be made available to same-sex couples, 32 percent disagreed and 22 percent were undecided • 56 percent of infertility patients answering this survey would consider adoption if infertility treatment were unsuccessful, 19 percent would not and 25 percent were undecided • Over 90 percent of respondents believe that insurance should cover infertility diagnosis and treatment The survey was conducted among 200 patients at 14 ARC sites.
Injectable Lunelle Contraceptive Being Recalled
P
harmacia is voluntarily recalling all Lunelle prefilled syringe lots on the market, due to a lack of assurance of full potency and possible risk of contraceptive failure. Lunelle packaged in vials is not affected by this recall. The affected lots were distributed in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during 2002. For a complete report on the recall, go to http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ safety/2002/safety02.htm#lunell.
AWHONN Lifelines
499