The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ New Drug Application (NDA) for Plan B® One-Step emergency contraception (levonorgestrel tablet, 1.5 mg). With new Plan B® One-Step, women can help prevent an unintended pregnancy resulting from unprotected sex or contraceptive failure with just one pill in one dose. While the FDA has expanded the over-the-counter (OTC) access to Plan B® One-Step to consumers aged 17 or more, younger girls will require a prescription.

A new study conducted by a group of researchers led by Professor Bill Ledger from the University of Sheffield has suggested that minor weight loss in obese women could boost their chances of getting pregnant. The study was conducted on 40 obese women who were not ovulating, with several of them suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research demonstrated that obesity during pregnancy requires greater use of health care as well as longer hospital stays. According to Susan Chu, Ph.D., lead scientist of the study, the increased health care use had greater cost implications for the patients.

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