In Our Control: The Complete Guide to Contraceptive Choices for Women

For women of reproductive age, Eldridge (who worked with pioneering women's health activist Barbara Seaman, author of The No-Nonsense Guide to Menopause and The Doctor's Case Against the Pill) has written a definitive, clear, and comprehensive reference that covers the history, scientific advances, and practical uses of contraception. Readers will be encouraged to realize that contraception needn't be a one-size-fits-all situation, as they are provided with cutting-edge information about all available methods and their pros and cons for different stages of women's lives and levels of fertility. In a readable, almost conversational style, the book cogently covers hormonal and nonhormonal contraception, alternative distribution methods, the new menstrual suppression drugs, the politics of Plan B, the male pill, fertility awareness/natural birth control, HPV vaccines, and international issues in reproductive and contraceptive health. Reliably researched, and with a personal point-of-view, this may well be the one volume women will want to consult. (Aug.)