Read on for Planned Parenthood's monthly roundup of recent research related to sexual health and sexuality.

More Contraceptive Options, More Choice
On May 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lybrel, a new type of birth control pill that eliminates monthly periods.  Lybrel is the only pill designed to be taken daily without placebo reminder pills, 365 days a year.  When used consistently and correctly, Lybrel completely suppresses the menstrual cycle, is up to 99.7 percent effective at preventing unintended pregnancy, and offers many women relief from period-related symptoms, such as menstrual cramps and headaches.  Sales of Lybrel may begin as early as July.

Value-Added HPV Vaccine
A study published in The Lancet has shown that Gardasil, the vaccine used to prevent four strains of human papilloma virus that are associated with 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, is also useful in preventing cancer of the vulva and vagina.  Researchers studied more than 18,000 women from around the globe and found that, after three years, the HPV vaccine was highly effective in preventing both vulval and vaginal cancers.  Although these cancers are far less common than cervical cancer, the rates of each has increased significantly in the past several decades.

The Long-Term Effects of Smoking
A long line of studies have shown that one of the best things a pregnant woman can do to ensure a healthy baby is to stop smoking.  A recent study suggests that that smoking during pregnancy is linked to heart dysfunction in the adult offspring.  Researchers treated pregnant rats with nicotine and then observed decreased heart function of their offspring.  The heart dysfunction was more significant in female offspring than in male.

HIV and Cervical Cancer
A study of sexually active girls infected with HIV since birth found that they were more likely to have abnormal Pap test results and cervical infections than those living without HIV/AIDS.  Researchers point to low levels of preventive care, such as Pap tests, as one possible cause.

Breastfeeding and Obesity
Although research has shown that breastfeeding has many benefits for both mother and child, a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity has shown that while breastfeeding may reduce the risk of childhood obesity, that protection does not extend into adolescence or adulthood.

The Latest on Breast Cancer
Yet another study has disproved any link between abortion, miscarriage, and the risk of breast cancer.  Researchers examined the records of more than 100,000 U.S. women and found that those who had an abortion or miscarriage were no more likely to develop breast cancer than the other women in the study. 

A separate study suggests that fewer women in the U.S. are having regular mammograms.  Regular mammograms for women age 40 and older is one of the ways to detect breast cancer at its earliest and more treatable stages.  But, according to researchers, the rate has slipped from 70 percent in 2000 to 66 percent in 2005.  Possible reasons for the decline include the growing number of uninsured women in the U.S. and lingering questions about the value and accuracy of mammograms.

Syphilis on the Rise
CDC officials report that rates of syphilis, particularly among gay and bisexual men, have been steadily on the rise since a reported low in 2000.  While syphilis is often treatable, especially when detected early on, there is a growing concern about the potential for a similar rise in HIV infections, as syphilis and HIV often go hand in hand.

Sex Toys, Privacy, and the Supreme Court
The owner of an adult store in Alabama has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Alabama’s statewide ban on the sale of sex toys.  The owner, Sherri Williams, says the ban is an unconstitutional intrusion into the privacy of an individual’s bedroom.  Alabama is one of a handful of states that ban the sale of sex toys.