DMPA use can have a negative impact upon cardiovascular disease biomarkers after 1 year of use

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is known to have metabolic side effects in relation to weight gain and bone density. A prospective, non-randomised comparison study in Sao Paulo recruited healthy young women, with normal body mass index (BMI) and glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, to commence DMPA or a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) and evaluate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers. At 1 year, the DMPA group had higher triglyceride levels and apolipoprotein B-100 compared to baseline. There were no other differences between the DMPA or Cu-IUD groups. The deterioration of these biomarkers, which are linked to atherogenesis, should give clinicians pause for thought when considering this method for women at higher risk of CVD.

Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 2018; https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2018.1455087

Dried blood spot sample collection kits are better than mini-tube blood sampling kits for postal HIV testing services

In England, sexual health services are experiencing unprecedented reductions in funding resulting in fewer staff and resources. Coupled with greater need and demand for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, this has sparked innovation in the form of postal testing services for HIV. This service evaluation found …