Unintended pregnancy continues to be a serious public health issue in the United States. Of the 3 million unplanned pregnancies per year, 60% occur in women using some form of contraception. Educating and helping women choose a contraceptive agent that best suits their needs will improve compliance and contraceptive efficacy. A multitude of new contraceptive agents are now available. We review new hormonal contraceptive options and discuss newer oral agents, extended-cycle contraception, and innovative delivery methods.

Migraine is a common disorder in women. The 1-year prevalence of migraine is 18% in women compared with 6% in men. Migraine most commonly occurs during the reproductive years, affecting 27% of women 30 to 49 years of age. The predominance of this disorder and its social, functional, and economic consequences make migraine an important issue in women's health. The hormonal milieu has a substantial effect on migraine in women. An understanding of these hormonal influences in the various stages of life in females is essential to the management and prevention of migraines. This article reviews migraine prevention strategies with an emphasis on specific therapies for each stage of a woman's life.

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The assessment and care of female adolescents by primary care physicians can be facilitated with increased knowledge about this stage of development, the health care risks faced by these patients, and the resources available to aid in their care. With a focus on preventive health maintenance, this concise review addresses these areas as well as how to build relationships with female adolescent patients, conduct age-appropriate interviews and tests, and maintain patient confidentiality.