May 20, 2013

Sexual Health

  • Experimental Gilead drug effective in early-stage leukemia trial - May 15 2013 15:12
    By Deena Beasley (Reuters) - An experimental drug from Gilead Sciences Inc shrank tumors in half of leukemia patients whose cancer had returned, according to an early-stage trial that represents a new foray into oncology by the world's biggest seller of HIV medications. The pill, idelalisib, is part of a new class of medications designed to selectively block a type of protein known to promote tumor growth in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other types of blood cancer. ...
  • Judge in NYC refuses to suspend his Plan B ruling - May 10 2013 13:05
    NEW YORK (AP) — A judge on Friday refused to delay enforcement of his decision giving women of all ages broad access to morning-after birth control, calling the government's appeal frivolous, a "silly argument" and an insult to the intelligence of women.
  • HPV-related cancers rose before vaccines hit market - May 9 2013 13:07
    By Andrew M. Seaman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The number of some cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) increased throughout the U.S. before vaccines against the sexually transmitted infection were available, says to a new study. Researchers found an increase in many early-stage cancers and anal and head and neck late-stage cancers across the U.S. between 1978 through 2007 that are thought to be related to the infection. "Our findings support an important need for HPV vaccination given the absence of effective screening for tumors at these sites," Dr. ...
  • Sex supplements often contain Viagra ingredients - May 9 2013 10:15

    A box of Viagra is seen in a pharmacy in TorontoBy Kerry Grens NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Herbal supplements aimed at improving men's sexual abilities often contain the active ingredients in erectile dysfunction pills such as Viagra, according to a new study. Additionally, researchers found that some of these over-the-counter herbal remedies contained more of the ingredient than is allowed in prescription-only pharmaceuticals. "It's pretty scary stuff," said Neil Campbell, the lead author of the study and a researcher at Pfizer, which sells Viagra. "These products are not herbal at all, they're adulterated." The U.S. ...


  • Merck, GSK cut price of cervical cancer shots for poor countries - May 9 2013 04:17
    By Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) - Drugmakers Merck and GlaxoSmithKline have cut the price of cervical cancer shots in a deal that will deliver them to poor countries for less than $5 a dose. The new record low price for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines should mean millions of girls in developing countries can be protected against the disease, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) said on Thursday. "By 2020 we hope to reach more than 30 million girls in more than 40 countries," Seth Berkley, the group's chief executive, said in a statement announcing the price deal. ...
  • Judge in NYC rips opposition to Plan B order - May 7 2013 13:03
    NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge, asked by the government on Tuesday to freeze his plan giving teenage girls broader access to morning-after birth control, instead seized the chance to accuse health officials of taking steps that would end up hurting poor people and improve their chances of prevailing in a protracted legal fight with reproductive rights advocates.
  • Op-Ed: What's Your HIV Infection Risk? If You're Under 24, Probably Higher Than You Think - May 3 2013 11:32
    Over 50,000 new HIV infections occur annually and of those new HIV infections, one in four occur among young people ages 13-24. One in four! As a public health professional, and as a mother of two young people in this age group, this recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made me gasp.  We have entered the fourth decade of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S., and know more about the disease and how to prevent and treat it than ever before and, yet, the December 2012 CDC report reveals:  
  • Most women back over-the-counter birth control pill - May 2 2013 08:26

    An illustration picture shows a woman holding a pill at her home in NiceBy Genevra Pittman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Close to two-thirds of women favor making contraceptive pills available over the counter, according to a new nationally-representative survey. In addition, about 30 percent of women using either no birth control or a less effective method - such as condoms - said they would likely take the Pill if it was sold without a prescription, researchers found. "Of course it's a hypothetical question, and it remains to be seen how this would play out in reality," said Dr. ...


  • Calif. Initiative Mails Condoms to Teens - May 2 2013 06:49
      A California-based program that sends teenagers free condoms in the mail has expanded to San Diego and Fresno counties, which have a combined population of over 4 million. The initiative, the Condom Access Project, is meant to help lower teenage STD and pregnancy rates...        
  • California Initiative Mails Free Condoms to Teens - May 2 2013 06:11
      A California-based program that sends teenagers free condoms in the mail has expanded to San Diego and Fresno counties, which have a combined population of over 4 million. The initiative, the Condom Access Project, is meant to help lower teenage STD and pregnancy rates...        
  • Justice Department appeals morning-after case - May 1 2013 19:28

    This undated image made available by Teva Women's Health shows the packaging for their Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) tablet, one of the brands known as the "morning-after pill." The Plan B morning-after pill is moving over-the-counter, a decision announced by the Food and Drug Administration just days before a court-imposed deadline. On April 30, 2013, the FDA lowered to 15 the age at which girls and women can buy the emergency contraceptive without a prescription — and said it no longer has to be kept behind pharmacy counters. Instead, the pill can sit on drugstore shelves just like condoms, but that buyers would have to prove their age at the cash register. (AP Photo/Teva Women's Health)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Wednesday appealed a federal judge's order to lift all age limits on who can buy morning-after birth control pills without a prescription.


  • Justice Dept to appeal morning-after case - May 1 2013 16:55

    This undated image made available by Teva Women's Health shows the packaging for their Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) tablet, one of the brands known as the "morning-after pill." The Plan B morning-after pill is moving over-the-counter, a decision announced by the Food and Drug Administration just days before a court-imposed deadline. On April 30, 2013, the FDA lowered to 15 the age at which girls and women can buy the emergency contraceptive without a prescription — and said it no longer has to be kept behind pharmacy counters. Instead, the pill can sit on drugstore shelves just like condoms, but that buyers would have to prove their age at the cash register. (AP Photo/Teva Women's Health)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is appealing a judge's decision lifting all age limits on the Plan B morning-after birth control pill and a cheaper generic.


  • Govt mulls next step on contentious Plan B pill - May 1 2013 14:36

    This undated image made available by Teva Women's Health shows the packaging for their Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) tablet, one of the brands known as the "morning-after pill." The Plan B morning-after pill is moving over-the-counter, a decision announced by the Food and Drug Administration just days before a court-imposed deadline. On April 30, 2013, the FDA lowered to 15 the age at which girls and women can buy the emergency contraceptive without a prescription — and said it no longer has to be kept behind pharmacy counters. Instead, the pill can sit on drugstore shelves just like condoms, but that buyers would have to prove their age at the cash register. (AP Photo/Teva Women's Health)WASHINGTON (AP) — Selling the morning-after birth control pill right next to condoms, even if limited to buyers 15 or older, marks a big societal shift in the long battle over women's reproductive rights. Backed into a corner by a federal court, the Obama administration is considering how to proceed after what looked like a stab at compromise just made both sides madder.


  • Study Finds HPV Vaccine Might Be Just as Effective at Lower Doses - April 30 2013 14:45
    A new study published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association's (JAMA) May 1 issue has found that giving women and girls only two doses of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine may actually be just as effective as giving them three doses of it. Researchers analyzed a group of some 830 women and girls between the ages of 16 and 26 to gauge the efficacy of the vaccine at the lower doses.
  • U.S. Panel Changes Stance, Says All Adults Should Get Tested for HIV - April 30 2013 08:24
    The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a new recommendation statement on Monday regarding adults and HIV testing. The statement, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, asserted that all adults between the ages of 15 and 65 should be tested for HIV, regardless of whether or not they are considered high risk.