Hormonal contraception is widely used by women within the U.S. and is considered to be empowering and beneficial for women’s progress in society. Hormonal birth control is framed as having benefits beyond fertility control, often in ways that medicalize and problematize women’s natural reproductive cycle. This study takes a critical look at the framing of hormonal contraception in both women’s and men’s magazines from an ecofeminist perspective. Articles were gathered from Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health and Maxim and were analyzed through Entman’s four functions of a frame. Special attention was paid to the differences between men’s and women’s magazines. The results show that hormonal contraception is being normalized through medicalizing women’s natural cycle and through naturalizing medical and scientific authority in making health decisions. Men’s magazines discuss contraception far less than women’s magazines, and both continue to place contraceptive responsibility on women.

The study investigates physical, mental and sexual changes in women at the beginning of use or after discontinuation of a combined hormonal contraception. Thirty women were interviewed at least 3 months and at most 2 years after the start of use or discontinuation of combined hormonal contraception. Semi-structured interviews were supplemented by 16- symptom rating scale on which women assessed the results of an imaginary study of side effects of hormonal contraception. Both methods identically demonstrated pronounced effect of combined hormonal contraception on decline in sexual desire and painful menstruation. No clear difference was found in psychical symptoms, although qualitative analysis indicated possible changes. Further research is needed to test subsequent hypothesis.

MSc (Med), Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of the Witwatersrand / Introduction This secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study set out to describe the association between the use of hormonal contraception and sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition in a cohort of 752 HIV negative women who were followed up for a year. Methods Outcome variables were measured by standard laboratory tests (PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neiserria gonorrhoea (NG), culture for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and gram stain with Nugent score for Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). Exposure variable information was collected by structured interview. Basic descriptive statistics were applied to describe the characteristics of the cohort, including a comparison of women who used contraception and those who did not. A time series analysis including incidence rates for the outcomes (CT, NG, TV and BV), Kaplan Meier curves for time to event measurement and Cox regression models (univariate and multivariate), for the estimation of risk were applied. Results The analysis found no significant difference between women who use hormonal contraception and those who did not with respect to baseline demographic characteristics. Incidence rates per 100 women years to follow up with 95% confidence intervals were: CT 13 (7 to 17), NG 2 (1 to 4), TV 6 (4 to10), BV 72 (63 to 83). Kaplan Meier curves showed no significant difference in time to event between women who used contraception and those who did not. Adjusted hazard ratios for women who used contraception was 1.12 (0.69 to1.82) for CT, 0.47 (0.17 to 1.30) for NG, 1.06 (0.48 to 2.34) for TV and 0.27 (0.05 to 1.52) for BV. Conclusion This analysis did not reveal any significant associations between the use of hormonal contraception and the acquisition of STIs, however the trends in risks follow those reported in the literature.

In recent years, there have been many updates in hormonal emergency contraception. Levonorgestrel emergency contraception has been available for several years to prevent pregnancy when used within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure, and it was recently approved for nonprescription status for patients aged 17 years or older. Current research suggests that the primary mechanism of action is delaying ovulation. Ulipristal is the newest emergency contraception, available by prescription only, approved for use up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. The primary mechanism of action is delaying ovulation. When compared with levonorgestrel emergency contraception, ulipristal was proven noninferior in preventing pregnancy. Evidence suggests that ulipristal does not lose efficacy from 72-120 hours; however, more studies are warranted to support this claim. Many misconceptions and controversies about hormonal emergency contraception still exist. Research does not support that increased access to emergency contraception increases sexual risk-taking behavior. Several studies suggest that health care providers, including pharmacists, could benefit from increased education about emergency contraception. It is important for pharmacists to remain up-to-date on the most recent hormonal emergency contraception products and information, as pharmacists remain a major point of access to emergency contraception.

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Title The influence of muscle tonus with hormonal contraception Objective The thesis aims to determine whether and to what extent the use of hormonal contraception affects muscle tension, which can vary depending on the current phase of the menstrual cycle in women. Method The thesis is divided into theoretical part where there is a summary of information on this topic from the literature Czech and world, a special part that is treated as research using noninvasive myotonometer. The measurement is performed in 12 probands four times in four weeks, always at some stage of their menstrual cycle. The measurement results are compared between the two groups by probands and is found to influence hormonal contraceptives on muscle tension during the menstrual cycle. Results Measurement myotonometer shows that hormonal contraceptive use affects muscle tension. The measurement results show a stable and predictable changes in fluctuating muscle tension in probands who use hormonal contraceptives, but the rate changes are subject to interpersonal differences, and these results can not give a general opinion. Key words Menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception, muscle tension, myotonometer

Diplomová práca Postoje k liečbe a znalosti užívateliek hormonálnej antikoncepcie Abstract Attitudes towards treatment and knowledge of hormonal contraceptive users Author: Veronika Fufaľová¹ Supervisor: PharmDr. Kateřina Ládová, Ph.D.¹ Consultant: PharmDr. Anna Oleárová, PhD., MPHš ¹Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic šDepartment of Organisation and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic Introduction: Hormonal contraception (HC) is popular and a reliable birth control method. Its use is although associated with some risks and many myths or misconceptions. Objective: The aim of this thesis was to determine the attitudes towards treatment and awareness of HC risks of its users in regard to various types and application forms in specific region by means of anonymous questionnaire. Methods: The research was carried out as a prospective questionnaire survey. Anonymous questionnaires consisted of 35 questions divided into 6 sections to obtain sociodemographic data, information concerning HC users and their form of HC, information about the extent of knowledge concerning gynaecological examination, HC risks and HC misconception awareness. One part of questionnaire was focused...

The attitudes toward the treatment and knowledge about hormonal contraception among the final year pharmacy students Author: Veronika Pavlíková¹ Supervisor: PharmDr. Kateřina Ládová, Ph.D.¹ Consultant: PharmDr. Anna Oleárová, Ph.D., MPHš ¹Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Czech Republic šDepartment of Organisation and Management of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic Introduction: Hormonal contraception (HC) is ranked among the widespread birth control methods used in a broad age structure of women worldwide. Based on of the health status, lifestyle, user's preferences or non-contraceptive benefits, it is possible to choose from the wide spectrum of HC, which differs in dosage and composition. Aim: The aim of this thesis was to determine the attitudes toward the treatment and knowledge about the HC among the final-year pharmacy students upon the completion of the mandatory 6-month long practical training in the pharmacy and knowledge acquired during the studies. Methods: The on-line survey was the realized in students of faculties of pharmacy in the Czech Republic and in the Slovak Republic, who had already completed the mandatory 6-month long practical training or who have just been...

Submitted thesis deals with the topic of synthetic hormones and human perception of this matter. The phenomenon of the endocrinal disruption that contains synthetic hormones as well is presented in the theoretical part. Then the attention is paid to the negative impacts on human body and on the environment as well as to low effectiveness of the wastewater treatment plant to deal with those pollutants. The practical part of the thesis contains survey among respondents of the Social and cultural department and Electronic culture and semiotics department on the Faculty of humanities of the Charles University. This survey deals with the awareness of this topic, consumer behaviour and opinions on the attention that is paid to this matter in the Czech Republic as well as on the ideal solution to this topic. Key words: hormones, environment, endocrine disruption, human perception