First Harry Reich Award presented at EFA’s Blossom Ball

First Harry Reich Award presented at EFA’s Blossom Ball 

8 MARCH 2014

Professors Linda Giudice and Liselotte Mettler were honoured at EFA’s 6th Annual Blossom Ball with the inaugural Harry Reich Award.

Yesterday evening, the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) awarded the inaugural Harry Reich Award to recognise two extraordinary healthcare professionals, Professors Linda Giudice and Liselotte Mettler, for the difference these two women have made in the lives of other women through their practice, research, and advocacy.

Tamer Seckin presenting Linda Giudice with her Award at the Blossom Ball

In announcing these two awards, co-founder of EFA, Dr Tamer Seckin, emphasised how the achievements of both Linda Giudice and Liselotte Mettler are an inspiration and encouragement for women (with and without endometriosis) to take charge of their health!

Professor Giudice is a biochemist, gynaecologist, and reproductive endocrinologist with a specific clinical interest in endometriosis, infertility, assisted reproduction, and implantation and ovulatory disorders.

Her research focuses on environmental impacts on reproductive health, steroid hormone signalling in human endometrium, endometrial-placental interactions, endometrium as a mucosal tissue, and translational applications of human embryonic and endometrial stem cells.  She is distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Reproductive Sciences at the University of California San Francisco, immediate past-president of the ASRM, president-elect of the World Endometriosis Society, vice-president of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation, and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

Tamer Seckin presenting Liselotte Mettler with her Award at the Blossom Ball

Professor Emeritus Mettler has specialised in reproductive medicine, gynaecological endoscopy, endometriosis, and gynaecological endocrinology since 1981 when she became deputy director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Kiel.  Following her retirement she remains an honorary patron of the Kiel School of Gynaecological Endoscopy and Reproductive Medicine, where she still teaches up to a dozen international training courses each year.

She is also visiting professor to the German Medical Center and the Dubai Healthcare City.  Professor Mettler is a former board member and current ambassador of the World Endometriosis Society, a board member of the German Foundation for Endometriosis Research (SEF), and the General Secretary of the International Academy of Human Reproduction.

The Harry Reich Award

The Harry Reich Award is awarded by EFA to recognise extraordinary healthcare professionals, who are making a difference in women’s lives (and their families) by their practice, research, and advocacy.

Harry Reich with honouree Linda Giudice at the Blossom Ball

The award is named for Dr Harry Reich, a pioneer in the field of laparoscopic surgery, who performed many “firsts”, including: the first laparoscopic hysterectomy, the first pelvic lymphadenectomy for cancer, and the first excision of cul-de-sac endometriosis that included rectal resection.

Dr Reich, who has operated in more than 60 countries, is an honorary professor in Russia and Romania, as well as a Fellow (ad eundem) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK for his pioneering work in the field of endoscopy.  Though retired, Dr Reich remains actively involved in many medical organisations and serves as a reviewer for multiple scientific journals.

Please visit Endometriosis.org for more news about endo.

http://endometriosis.org/news/general/first-harry-reich-award-presented-at-efas-blossom-ball/

Lupron Side Effects ~ Tell you Lupron Story on Erin Brockovich Site ~ Read others stories

Lupron Side Effects

For far too long now, I have been contacted by people who tell me that they have been adversely impacted by Lupron. In fact, since 1999, the FDA has received adverse drug reports about Lupron from in excess of 4,000 women and approximately, 3,000 men. According to the FDA, in 325 of those cases, hospitilization was necessary and 25 women died, directly related to Lupron use.

The shared stories on this site reveal lives that have been irreparably damaged. We need to do something about this. Nothing is more powerful in coercing change than the voices of the people. I hope that this site is a place where you can come and share your story and thoughts. This is a place where you can link to other Facebook groups, read blogs and learn about what rights you may have and current news on the Lupron. This is a place where we can become stronger together.

- See more at: http://www.lupronsideeffects.net/#sthash.BMD1RGV9.dpuf

http://www.lupronsideeffects.net/

Adhesiolysis - Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain - saved from possible extinction? Dr Wiseman of the International Adhesion Society

Burden of adhesions in abdominal and pelvic surgery: systematic review and met-analysis

Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy. as diagnostic tool Endometriosis Adhesions

JSLS. 2012 Jul-Sep;16(3):461-5. doi: 10.4293/108680812X13462882736295.

Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy.

Ezedinma NA1, Phelps JY.

Author information

Abstract

Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) is being performed regularly in Europe and China, but rarely in the United States. The reasons may be physicians' unfamiliarity with the procedure and their uneasiness over potential rectal puncturing due to the proximity of the rectum to the vaginal trocar insertion site. THL has the advantage over hysterosalpingography (HSG) in that it allows for direct visualization of the tubal mucosa in addition to determining tubal patency. THL has advantages over traditional laparoscopy in that it does not require an abdominal incision and has the capability of being conducted in an outpatient office setting with local anesthesia. Studies have shown that THL has comparable accuracy to laparoscopy with 96.1% concordance between THL and laparoscopic findings. THL may be combined with chromopertubation and salpingoscopy. In addition to diagnostic purposes, THL may be used for operative intervention including adhesiolysis, endometriosis ablation, and ovarian drilling. Studies from France and China report the occurrence of rectal injury from 0% to1%. Despite the advantages of THL and low reports of rectal injury, THL has not gained popularity in the United States. The purpose of this article is to familiarize gynecologists in the United States with THL.

PMID:

 

23318074

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

PMCID:

 

PMC3535799

 

Free PMC Article

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Transvaginal endoscopy and small ovarian endometriomas: unravelling the missing link?

Gynecol Surg. 2014;11:3-7. Epub 2013 Oct 17.

Gordts S, Puttemans P, Gordts S, Valkenburg M, Brosens I, Campo R.

Author information

Abstract

The incidence of endometriosis in the infertile female is estimated to be between 20 and 50 %. Although the causal relationship between endometriosis and infertility has not been proven, it is generally accepted that the disease impairs reproductive outcome. Indirect imaging techniques and transvaginal laparoscopy now offer the possibility of an early stage diagnosis. Although it remains debated whether the disease is progressive, treatment in an early stage is recommendable as it carries less risk for ovarian damage, hence premature ovarian failure. Under water, inspection with the technique of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) accurately shows the invagination of the ovarian cortex as minimal superficial lesions but with the presence of well-differentiated endometrial like tissue at the base, the lateral walls and especially the inner edges of the small endometrioma. An inflammatory environment is responsible for the formation of connecting adhesions with the broad ligament and lateral wall with invasion of endometrial-like tissue and formation of adenomyotic lesions. In around 50 % of the small endometriomas, adhesiolysis is necessary at the site of invagination with opening of the cyst, to free the chocolate content and hereby recognize the underlying endometrioma. The detailed inspection of these early-stage endometriotic lesions at THL reunites the hypothesis of Sampson with the observation of Hughesdon.

KEYWORDS:

Endometrioma, Endoscopy, Hydroflotation, Ovarian endometriosis, Pathogenesis, Surgery, Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy

PMID:

 

24611037

 

[PubMed]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24611037

Breaking News Genzyme Seprafilm

Lurpon all over again...grrrrr

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Announces Settlement with Genzyme Corporation to Resolve Allegations of Off-Label Marketing

March 07, 2014

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MADISON, Wis., March 6 -- The WisconsinAttorney General issued the following news release:

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that Wisconsin has joined with other states and the federal government to settle allegations thatGenzyme Corp. (Genzyme) marketed and caused false claims to be submitted to federal and state health care programs for use of a "slurry" version of its Seprafilm adhesion barrier. Seprafilm is a thin film intended to reduce adhesions after surgery by forming a bio-resorbable barrier between abdominal tissue and organs. Genzyme is a biotechnology corporation based in Cambridge, Mass., and was acquired by Sanofi-Aventis SA in April 2011. As part of the settlement, Wisconsin Medicaid will receive $44,698.27 in restitution and other recoveries. Medicaid is a health insurance program for the needy and disabled jointly funded by the state and federal governments. The agreement resolves allegations that Genzyme sales representatives taught doctors and other staff to cut the Seprafilm sheets into small pieces, add saline and allow the pieces to dissolve until the desired consistency was reached. This mixture was referred to as "slurry." Genzyme sales representatives traded recipes for slurry, and trained each other in how to create it. The slurry was used in laparoscopic surgeries by inserting a catheter filled with the mixture into the body and applying it into the abdominal cavity. Seprafilm isFDA-approved for use in open abdominal surgery but not for minimally invasive surgeries, such as laparoscopic surgery. Allegedly, as a result of this conduct,Genzyme knowingly caused hospitals and other purchasers of Seprafilm to submit false and fraudulent claims to health care programs for uses that were not reimbursable.

TNS 30FurigayJof 140307-4659904 30FurigayJof

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What it costs to have endometriosis

J Manag Care Pharm. 2007 Apr;13(3):262-72.

Actuarial analysis of private payer administrative claims data for women with endometriosis.

Mirkin D, Murphy-Barron C, Iwasaki K.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease affecting 5.5 million women and girls in the United States and Canada and millions more worldwide. The usual age range of women diagnosed with endometriosis is 20 to 45 years. Endometriosis has an estimated prevalence of 10% among women of reproductive age, although estimates of prevalence vary greatly. Endometriosis is the most common gynecological cause of chronic pelvic pain, but published information on its associated medical care costs is scarce.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine (1) the prevalence of endometriosis in the United States, (2) the amount of health care services used by women coded with endometriosis in a commercial medical claims database during 1999 to 2003, and (3) the endometriosis-related costs for 2003, the most recent data available at the time the study was performed.

METHODS:

This study was a retrospective review of administrative data for commercial payers, which included enrollment, eligibility, and claims payment data contained in the Medstat Marketscan database for approximately 4 million commercial insurance members. All claims and membership data were extracted for each woman aged 18 to 55 years who had at least 1 medical or hospital claim with a diagnosis code for endometriosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] codes 617.00-617.99) for 1999 through 2003. Claims data from 1999 through 2003 were used to determine prevalence and health care resource utilization (i.e., annual admission rate, annual surgical rate, distribution of endometriosis-related surgeries, and prevalence of comorbid conditions). The cost analysis was based on claims from 2003 only. Cost was defined as the payer-allowed charge, which equals the net payer cost plus member cost share.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of women with medical claims (inpatient and/or outpatient) containing ICD-9-CM codes for endometriosis was 1.1% for the age band of 30 to 39 years and 0.7% over the entire age span of 18 to 55 years. The medical costs per patient per month (PPPM) for women with endometriosis were 63% greater ($706 PPPM) than those of the average woman per member per month ($433) in 2003; inpatient hospital costs accounted for 32% of total direct medical costs. Between 1999 and 2003, these women with endometriosis who were identified by either inpatient and/or outpatient claims had high rates of hospital admission (53% for any reason; 38% for an endometriosis-related reason) and a high annual surgical procedure rate (64%). Additionally, women with endometriosis frequently suffered from comorbid conditions, and these conditions were associated with greater PPPM costs of 15% to 50% for women with an endometriosis diagnosis code, depending on the condition. Interstitial cystitis was associated with 50% greater cost ($1,061 PPPM); depression, 41% ($997 PPPM); migraine, 40% ($988 PPPM); irritable bowel syndrome, 34% ($943 PPPM); chronic fatigue syndrome, 29% ($913 PPPM); abdominal pain, 20% ($846 PPPM); and infertility, 15% ($813 PPPM).

CONCLUSIONS:

Women with endometriosis have a high hospital admission rate and surgical procedure rate and a high incidence of comorbid conditions. Consequently, these women incur total medical costs that are, on average, 63% higher than medical costs for the average woman in a commercially insured group.

PMID:

 

17407392

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 

Fre

Happy New Year!

Hoping this is your year to shine! 

Harry Reich Sex and Endometriosis

WHAT IF ENDOMETRIOSIS WAS A MEN’S HEALTH ISSUE?

The world would be a different place!
JORDAN DAVIDSON

As a health journalist and a co-founder of Endo Warriors, a support organization for women with endometriosis, I often get asked “what is endometriosis?”

Which is funny since it is estimated that 176 million women worldwide have endometriosis and yet no one knows about this global health issue.

http://www.hormonesmatter.com/endometriosis-mens-health-issue/

Visit Endo Warriors - https://www.facebook.com/endowarriorssupport

Female Sexual Function Improves After Lesion Surgery D.I.E.

Women with deep infiltrating endometriosis who undergo laparoscopic excision and postoperative combined oral contraceptive therapy have improved postoperative sexual function, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.


THURSDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) who undergo laparoscopic excision and postoperative combined oral contraceptive (COC) therapy have improved postoperative sexual function, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Mohamed Mabrouk, M.D., of the University of Bologna in Italy, and colleagues conducted a prospective study of 106 women with DIE to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic excision and postoperative COC therapy on sexual function.
Click link for full article: http://www.doctorslounge.com/index.php/news/pb/26819

Gene variant linked to endometriosis

YALE (US) — Researchers may have identified a genetic basis of endometriosis, a condition that causes millions of women chronic pelvic pain and infertility.

The Yale University researchers’ discovery of a new gene mutation provides hope for new screening methods.


Published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, the study explored an inherited mutation located in part of the KRAS gene, which leads to abnormal endometrial growth and endometrial risk.

Click here to read entire article: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/gene-variant-linked-to-endometriosis/

Gynaecologist analyses women’s biggest sexual problems

Gynaecologist analyses women’s biggest sexual problems
On January 2, 2012 · In Health | 4:10 pm..
Abuja – Unlike men’s main sexual complaint — erectile dysfunction, women’s biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of mental and physical factors, a doctor has analysed.

Dr Ekpi Philips, a Consultant Gynaecologist, said that common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women could be interpersonal relationship issues, socio-cultural influences and peer pressure.

Others include partner performance problems, lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child and becoming a caregiver for a loved one.

“Medical problems such as mental illnesses, depression, or medical conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and thyroid disorders impact on a woman’s sexual drive both mentally and physically.

“Age, medications, certain antidepressants, blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral contraceptives can lower sexual drive.’’

Philips said that testosterone could also affect sexual drive in both men and women.

Testosterone is a hormone made by the body and helps to stimulate and maintain sexual function, maintain bone strength, among others.

“Testosterone levels peak in women’s mid-20s and then steadily decline until menopause, and drop dramatically,’’ he said.

Philips noted that lower sexual drive sets in when a woman experiences a significant decrease in interest in sex and it is having an effect on her.

According to him, sexual desire is more than just an issue of low libido or sex drive.

“Sexual drive is the biological component of desire which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.

“ It’s about your body signaling that it wants to be sexual.

“Whether or not there is any intention to act on it, we all have a certain level of drive.”

He explained that a woman carrying financial burdens of the home could lose interest in sex.

“For a growing number of women, declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, and other problems are taking their toll in the bedroom.

“When a woman go to work and comes back late, think of bills to pay, prepares the children and think of the attitudes of the husband, such woman can never pick interest in sex’’.

Philips also explained that a woman who is ill and probably on medication, could have low sex drive.

He stated that relationships between the husband must be cordial for both parties to enjoy sex.

He added that loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among women of all ages.

“These are not likely to be cured by merely using a pill’’.

He said that since the loss of sexual desire in women was caused by a combination of factors, it required more than an approach to fix the problem.

He advised that putting the desire back in women’s sex lives would require putting her on sex therapy and relationship counseling.

“Changing medications or altering the dose, addressing underlying medical conditions of the woman and the use of vaginal estrogens, testosterone therapy, could help.’’

According to Philips, many gynaecologists recommend off-label uses of testosterone therapy for women with low sexual desire to restore testosterone to normal levels.

“In postmenopausal women, vaginal dryness may be treated with vaginal estrogen creams although no hormone or drug has been approved to treat sexual problems in women,’’ Philips added

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/gynaecologist-analyses-women%E2%80%99s-biggest-sexual-problems/

Baylor scientists receive $1.35 million from Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Baylor scientists receive $1.35 million from Ovarian Cancer Research Fund


HOUSTON -- (January 9, 2012) -- Two Baylor College of Medicine researchers have received three-year grants totaling $1.35 million from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for studies directed toward earlier detection of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cause of cancer among U.S. women and the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women. An estimated 22,000 will be diagnosed with the disorder this year and more than 15,000 will die of it.



"Investigating ARID1A
Over the next three years, Hawkins will research why some women with endometriosis (the growth of cells that usually line the uterus outside that organ, often on the ovary) go on to develop a kind of ovarian cancer known as endometrioid or clear cell ovarian cancer.

"Additionally, women with endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer have a better prognosis than women without endometriosis," she said.

She will look at a gene called ARID1A that may play a role in the transformation from endometriosis cells to ovarian cancer cells. How ARID1A plays a role in the formation of tumors is not yet understood, and Hawkins plans to study both benign and malignant human tissue to find mutations in ARID1A. She will work in cell cultures to determine if ARID1A leads to increased growth of cancer cells because of interaction with other cancer genes. She will create a mouse model to mimic the low levels of ARID1A and see how early tumors form as well as to study potential therapies."
Click here to read entire article: http://www.bcm.edu/news/item.cfm?newsID=5022

Endometriosis Linked to IBD

Endometriosis puts women at risk for Crohns Ulcerative Colitis
By: Lindsay Patterson

Reviewed By: Joseph V. Madia, MD

(dailyRx)Endometriosis is a common reproductive disorder that affects women during their childbearing years. It is often connected with infertility, and now, it's also been linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

New research has found that women with endometriosis are at least twice as likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Click here to read the rest: http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/endometriosis-puts-women-risk-crohns-ulcerative-colitis-16651.html

Simple remedies for menstrual cramps

Simple remedies for menstrual cramps
GYNOISSUES

By DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE All Woman writer husseyd@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, December 12, 2011

SOME women endure cramps so bad each month, that they are forced to stop regular activities for a day or two.

Severe cramping can be caused by a number of things, like disease in the reproductive organs; endometriosis; pelvic inflammatory disease; narrowing of the cervix; or fibroids or growths on the inner wall of the uterus.

But whatever the cause, the recommended remedies are the same.

Gynaecologist and obstetrician at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Professor Horace Fletcher, said young women don't need to suffer horrible pain that keeps them away from work and school.

He suggested:

1. The best way to treat severe menstrual cramps is to take oral contraceptives. This kind of pain responds to contraceptive pills taken in the normal way — once daily for 21 days. The woman should be first evaluated by her doctor to make sure there are no contraindications.

2. Mild cramps respond to normal painkillers like Paracetamol, Panadol, Tylenol, or any of the non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen. All of these have some side effects.

3. Antispasmodics like Baralgin or Buscopan can work as well, usually in conjunction with the treatments above.

4. A hot water bottle or heating pad compress against the stomach helps.

Other remedies you could try are:


1. Drink herbal teas like chamomile, mint, raspberry and blackberry, which may help soothe tense muscles and anxious moods.

2. Exercise. Regular workouts decrease the severity of cramps. It is therefore recommended that you start exercising the week leading up to the start of your period.

3. Empty your bladder as soon as you have the urge to urinate.



Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/Simple-remedies-for-menstrual-cramps_10343747#ixzz1gVWgRTKT

Notice of Decision for Pr VISANNE® Canada

Notice of Decision for PrVISANNE®Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

(PDF Version - 23 K)
Contact: Bureau of Metabolism, Oncology and Reproductive Sciences

Date issued: November 7, 2011

On October 12, 2011, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Bayer Inc. for the drug product, Visanne.

Visanne contains the medicinal ingredient dienogest which is a progestin.

Visanne is indicated for the management of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. The efficacy of Visanne has not been tested beyond 15 months.

Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease where endometrial tissue is found outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries and the peritoneal surface. This tissue can cause inflammation and adhesions which result in chronic pelvic pain and often infertility. The cause of endometriosis remains unknown. Visanne reduces the endogenous production of estradiol and thereby suppresses the trophic effects of estradiol on both the eutopic and ectopic endometrium. When given continously, Visanne leads to a hyperprogestogenic and moderately hypoestrogenic endocrine environment causing initial decidualization of endometrial tissue. In addition to the estradiol-mediated effects Visanne also has direct antiproliferative, immunologic and antiangiogenic effects that contribute to the reduction of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.

The market authorization was based on quality, non-clinical, and clinical information submitted. The efficacy and safety of Visanne were demonstrated primarily in three multicentre Phase III studies. All three studies enrolled patients with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis with various stages of disease severity. Assessment of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis was determined by using a visual analog scale (0-100 mm, where 0 mm represents no pain and 100 mm represents severe pain). The first study was a double-blind placebo-controlled study where 102 patients were treated orally (PO) with a Visanne 2 mg tablet once daily (OD) compared to 96 patients who were treated with a placebo, over a 12 week period. The second study was an open-label extension to the placebo-controlled study. The extension study included 168 women; 87 previously treated with Visanne (2 mg, PO, OD) and 81 previously treated with placebo. All 168 women received Visanne (2 mg, PO, OD) for an additional 52 weeks to assess the long-term efficacy of Visanne treatment. The third study compared Visanne (2 mg, PO, OD) to 3.75 mg leuprolide acetate administered intramuscularly every four weeks, where 120 patients received Visanne treatment and 128 patients received leuprolide acetate, for a 24-week treatment period. Results from all three studies demonstrated that treatment with Visanne produced clinically significant reductions in pelvic pain compared to baseline values. In the placebo-controlled study, following 12 weeks of treatment with Visanne, the mean reduction of pelvic pain compared to baseline was 27.4 ± 22.9 mm. The open-label extension study showed continued improvement in pelvic pain for up to 15 months. In the third active comparator study, Visanne demonstrated efficacy similar to leuprolide acetate in reducing pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. In all clinical studies, Visanne was generally well-tolerated.

Visanne (2 mg, dienogest) is provided in tablet form. The recommended dose of Visanne is one oral tablet per day, preferably taken at the same time each day, with some liquid as needed. Visanne tablets are intended for continuous administration regardless of any vaginal bleeding. Dosing guidelines are available in the Product Monograph.

Visanne is contraindicated in women with any of the conditions listed below, which are partially derived from information on other progestin-only preparations. Should any of the conditions appear during the use of Visanne, treatment must be discontinued immediately.

•Known or suspected pregnancy;
•Lactation;
•Active venous thromboembolic disorder;
•Arterial and cardiovascular disease, past or present [for example (e.g.) myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, ischaemic heart disease];
•Diabetes mellitus with vascular involvement;
•Presence or history of severe hepatic disease as long as liver function values have not returned to normal;
•Presence or history of liver tumours (benign or malignant);
•Known or suspected sex hormone-dependent malignancies;
•Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding;
•Any ocular lesion arising from ophthalmic vascular disease, such as partial or complete loss of vision or defect in visual fields;
•Current or history of migraine with focal aura;
•Hypersensitivity to dienogest or to any ingredient in the formulation or component of the container.
Visanne should be administered under the conditions stated in the Product Monograph taking into consideration the potential risks associated with the administration of this drug product. Detailed conditions for the use of Visanne are described in the Product Monograph.

Based on the Health Canada review of data on quality, safety, and efficacy, Health Canada considers that the benefit/risk profile of Visanne is favourable for the indication stated above.

© 2011, Bayer Inc.
®VISANNE is a trademark used under license by Bayer Inc.

Notices of Decision (NDs) are produced in accordance with the Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) initiative. All NDs will be reproduced within the corresponding SBD, normally available within 5 months of product authorization.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/sbd-smd/drug-med/nd_ad_2011_visanne_132174-eng.php

Endometriosis

This patient education video explains endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common medical condition that affects women. The program covers anatomy, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Taking birth-control pills — but not for birth control

By Jennifer LaRue Huget
Oral contraceptives are quite the multi-taskers these days.

A new report finds that of the 11.2 million women ages 15 to 44 who use oral contraceptives, 86 percent do so primarily to prevent pregnancy, while the remaining 14 percent — 1.5 million women — take them solely for other reasons. Those reasons include easing menstrual cramps or pain, regulating menstrual cycles, relieving symptoms of endometriosis and controlling acne. The report further found that more than three quarters of a million women who take the pill report never having had sex.

The report was written and published by the nonprofit Guttmacher Institute (which works to “advance sexual and reproductive health and rights,” according to its Web site) and drawn from data collected through the federal National Survey of Family Growth.

The report could help clarify, or further muddy, the controversy over whether the federal government should require insurance companies to cover the cost of birth control, including oral contraceptives.

By Jennifer LaRue Huget | 07:00 AM ET, 11/18/2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-checkup/post/taking-birth-control-pills--but-not-for-birth-control/2010/12/20/gIQAbKieVN_blog.html