Contraceptive
Update: Menstrual Changes Influence Method Use
Modern contraceptive methods can profoundly affect menstrual bleeding patterns, with
disturbances ranging from heavier bleeding, to prolonged or irregular bleeding, to no
bleeding at all. These common bleeding disturbances from
method use can discourage starting or continuing to use a method. A related article, How to Manage Bleeding Disturbances, discusses ways to
minimize this contraceptive side effect.
A "Client Perspective" Helps
Improve Services
Quality care means looking at services from the client's perspective. Clients have a
right to accurate information, good access to services and a range of available method
options, as well as safety, privacy, confidentiality, dignity and comfort. Included are
specific recommendations for quality family planning
services from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Clients Prefer Method Choices
Clients are more likely to be satisfied and to continue practicing family planning when
they have adequate information about methods and several types of methods from which to
choose, and can make decisions without pressure or coercion. Related articles discuss informed choice, a process in which clients make decisions
based on adequate information, and informed consent, in
which clients give permission to undergo a procedure, take medication or participate in a
research study after receiving information about risks and benefits.
Training Involves Many Factors
The effectiveness of staff training to improve family planning services depends upon
many factors: who is trained and where, how the information is taught and whether the
training is later reinforced. Interactive Techniques
Enhance Training offers suggestions to enhance training.
Guidelines Require Comprehensive Steps
In recent years, nearly 50 developing countries have begun developing new or revised
national guidelines on family planning services. Writing the guidelines, however, is only
a first step. Disseminating them and training providers about why and how to use the
guidelines are essential. Also, guidelines must be updated regularly.
In this issue:
Copyright