ARHP Launches Reproductive Health Research Initiative at Annual Clinical Conference; Focus on New Technologies, Future Directions

9/10/2002

From: Natalia Barolin of ARHP, 202-466-3825 E-mail: nbarolin@arhp.org Web: http://www.arhp.org

News Advisory:

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) launches a new, multi-year initiative, Advances in Reproductive Health at its annual meeting, Reproductive Health 2002. Dozens of clinical research presentations and poster sessions will be featured at the conference, focusing on new contraceptive technologies, sexuality, male sexual health, and family planning. Contraception, ARHP's peer-reviewed international journal, will publish abstracts from these presentations in its November 2002 issue. Among the many research presentations scheduled are:

-- Vera Grigorieva, MD's oral presentation: Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System (LNG IUS) as Treatment of Bleeding Related to Uterine Leiomyomas. This study evaluated the potential for the LNG IUS to be used as treatment for women with uterine leiomyomas (uterine fibroids) and found that the LNG IUS is an effective treatment for decreasing menstrual blood loss in women with leiomyomas

-- Lawrence Finer, PhD will present In Their Own Right: Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of American Men. This study takes a comprehensive assessment of men's sexual and reproductive lives over a life course and will make recommendations on the scope of services men need in order to lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives

-- User and Partner Satisfaction with a New Method of Combined Hormonal Contraception, NuvaRing(r), presented by Nancy Alexander, PhD, collected data regarding acceptability to users and their partners using a questionnaire. This study found that the vaginal ring is a highly acceptable method of contraception for women and their male partners.

-- Adolescent Access to STD Services in a Metropolitan Area, a poster presentation by Kay Hood, MSN, found that teens are not receiving the life skills necessary to negotiate difficult situations. They need facilities dedicated to their needs and are not aware they can be seen confidentially and without parental consent. The study also found that teens need sexuality education that provides knowledge and promotes the reduction of high-risk behavior.

Reproductive Health 2002 will take place during Women's Health Month, on Sept. 11-14 at the Hyatt Regency Denver. The research presentations, Advances in Reproductive Health, will occur on Sept. 12, from 3-4:30 p.m. For a press pass and media kit, contact Natalia Barolin, communications coordinator, at 202-466-3825 or e-mail nbarolin@arhp.org. You may also register on site. For the complete conference agenda, go to http://www.arhp.org/conferences/.

The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) is a non-profit, multidisciplinary, education association representing leading healthcare providers, researchers, and educators in the field. ARHP is composed of professionals who provide reproductive health services or education, conduct reproductive health research, or influence reproductive health policy. ARHP, founded in 1963, has a mission to educate health care professionals, public policy makers, and the public. The organization fosters research and advocacy to promote reproductive health.