A practical U.K. handbook offering comprehensive and up-to-date information on all aspects of contraception and family planning. Introduction: More detail on history-taking. Chapter 3: New polyurethane condoms available, as well as latex and new research on condom breakages. Chapter 4: New dutch caps available: eg oves and femcap. New protectaid sponge is also now available. New research on spermicides.

Chapter 5: New contraceptive pill Yasmeen to be launched; discussion of drug interactions to include St John's Wort. New research on heart disease and the pill, as well as clotting complications. New progestogen-only pill called Cerazette will shortly be available: very different from other POPs. Chapter 7: Implants. Completely new chapter as Norplant no longer available. Implanon, a single rod implant lasting 3 years has taken over. Chapter 8: new research on IUDs and GyneFix. Chapter 9: Emergency contraception - new chapter as Schering PC4 no longer available, replaced by Levonelle.

Case scenarios/problems added where appropriate.