Fact checked byDrew Amorosi

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October 24, 2024
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Top in women’s health: Breast cancer risk tied to contraceptive device; miscarriage care

Fact checked byDrew Amorosi
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Women using the intrauterine system had an increased risk for breast cancer vs. women who were hormonal contraceptive nonusers, according to a research letter published in JAMA.

Researchers followed participants who used the intrauterine systemuntil breast cancer diagnosis, pregnancy, cancer diagnosis or end of trial. After a follow-up of 6.8 years, they found that 1,617 participants had a breast cancer diagnosis. Of these participants, 720 were levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system users.

Intrauterine contraceptives were just as effective at preventing pregnancy as tubal ligation, although they were associated with a lower rate of complications. Source: Adobe Stock
Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system users linked to a 40% increase in risk for breast cancer compared with hormonal contraceptive nonusers. Image: Adobe Stock

“Given the increase in levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system use among females at an age with some risk for breast cancer, and its likely long-term use, information about breast cancer risk should accompany discussions about benefits and risks,” Lina Steinrud Mørch, MSc, PhD, team leader in the department of cancer and medicine at The Danish Cancer Institute in Denmark, and colleagues wrote.

It was the top story in women’s health last week.

In another top story, researchers noted that miscarriage care is often less than ideal and providers should be aware of the psychological effects of miscarriage to improve management and follow-up.

Read these and more top stories in women’s health below:

Long-acting intrauterine contraceptive device may raise breast cancer risk

Using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system device to prevent pregnancy increased risk for breast cancer among women aged 15 to 49 years living in Denmark, according to a research letter published in JAMA. Read more.

Outpatient early pregnancy loss clinics may improve ‘poorly managed’ miscarriage care

Miscarriage care is often suboptimal for women in Canada experiencing early pregnancy loss and providers should be aware of maternal psychological effects to provide compassionate assessment, management and follow-up, researchers reported. Read more.

Endometriosis does not increase COVID-19 risk, worsen with mRNA vaccinations

Women with endometriosis do not have a higher risk for COVID-19 infection nor worsened symptoms with mRNA vaccinations, but may experience temporary increases in dysmenorrhea, according to findings published in Reproductive Sciences. Read more.

Daily smokeless nicotine tied to earlier delivery vs. cigarette use during pregnancy

Daily snuff use throughout the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with reduced median gestational length compared with daily cigarette use, findings published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth revealed. Read more.

FDA accepts new drug application for nonhormonal hot flash drug elinzanetant

The FDA accepted a new drug application for elinzanetant, a nonhormonal treatment for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, according to an industry press release. Read more.