State of the art in hormonal contraception: an overview

In June 2001, together with an esteemed group of colleagues, I had the opportunity to preside over a 2-day conference presented by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development that focused on "Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: Advances in Hormonal Contraception." This conference was a well-timed update of a similar program that took place in 1993. In the 8 years since that conference, there have been a number of major advances in the area of contraception. These advances include the introduction of new formulations of oral contraceptives, continued development of existing injectable and implantable delivery methods, and the development and approval of 2 novel delivery systems of contraceptive steroids. The 2001 conference provided a format for the presentation and discussion of these advances, and other important issues that impact both clinicians and patients. Both groups wish to have additional, effective, and safe methods of contraception that are easy to use.