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Objectives: To evaluate the effects of transdermal estrogen therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal Korean women. Methods: A total of 149 healthy postmenopausal women were retrospectively evaluated: 100 were on hormone therapy (HT) and 49 were the control group. For the HT group, 54 applied estrogen transdermally using either a patch (n = 21) or gel (n = 33), and 46 took estrogen orally (conjugated estrogen 0.625 mg or equivalent). Demographic profiles and changes in BMD over two years were compared according to the route of the estrogen. Results: No differences were found in age, age at menopause, parity, body mass index, and type of menopause among the oral, transdermal and control groups. Compared with controls, HT significantly increased BMD after 2 years in both the lumbar spine and the total hip. The increases in BMD at both lumbar spine and hip were comparable between the oral and transdermal groups. There were also no differences in BMD changes according to progestogen addition in either the oral or transdermal groups. Conclusion: Transdermal estrogen therapy increases BMD, comparable to oral estrogen, in postmenopausal Korean women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since oral contraceptives (OCs) were first introduced in 1960, they have been used as a highly effective contraceptive method for over 50 years. Besides the prevention of pregnancy, they provide various non-contraceptive benefits. Well-known non-contraceptive benefits related to menstruation include reduction of dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding. In addition, many women see improvements in acne and symptoms from premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder with OC use. In addition, OCs also can be used for the management of endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome, and have also been reported to decrease the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Consequently, many women may choose to use OCs in light of their non-contraceptive benefits. These non-contraceptive benefits can encourage women to select OCs as an useful option for contraception, improving their quality of life, and even providing public health benefits. Therefore, clinicians should be familiar with OCs and able to provide detailed information regarding their non-contraceptive benefits. The purpose of this article is to review the current evidence for the non-contraceptive benefits of OCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the factors associated with sexual debut among Korean adolescents. Methods Based on a 2008 cross-sectional nationwide online survey conducted in 75 238 Korean middle and high school students aged 12-18 years (39 278 boys and 35 960 girls), demographic profiles of the reproductive health and factors associated with sexual debut were analysed. Results The proportion of adolescents who had heterosexual intercourse was 5.1%. The cumulative proportion of sexual debut at age 18 was 20%, and the median age was 17 years. Overall, 0.2% of girls reported past pregnancies, while 8.8% of sexually active girls had ever been pregnant. A proportion of girls who underwent an induced abortion was 89.5%. Up to half (46.0% for boys and 48.3% for girls) never resorted to contraception during coitus. After adjusting for covariates, attendance at general and technical high school, low school record, drinking alcohol, smoking, drug use, high economic status and not living with both parents were associated with the increased proportion of sexual debut in both genders. By contrast, internet use was associated with a reduced risk of adolescent sexual debut. Conclusion This study demonstrates the factors associated with sexual debut among Korean adolescents. This information may be helpful for the prevention of unprotected sexual debut and subsequent teenage pregnancy in adolescents who are susceptible to initiating sexual intercourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]