Contraception search filters

In partnership with Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia, Flinders Filters has developed a range of one-click PubMed searches for instant and real-time retrieval of the contraception literature. These are free and are designed to be used by clinical and project staff, researchers, policy makers and the general public.

These ready-made and reliable searches are available on the topics of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARCs) methods, emergency contraception, and contraception in general.

Each search can be used on its own for broad retrieval, or combined with your own topic of interest for a more focused search.

The four search options:

1. All citations - no limits applied
   
2. Highest level evidence - limits search to systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials
   
3. Free full text - limits search to freely available articles
   
4. Australian context - uses a geographic search filter to restrict results to Australia
   

Please note that all searches are limited to English language articles.

The search filters

Use the links in the table below to find literature on these contraception topics.

Contraception search filters

This broad-based search retrieves literature on contraception, contraceptive agents and devices, contraceptive behaviour, and family planning. It includes LARCs and emergency contraception.

Specific versions are used to retrieve a smaller set of highly relevant articles at hte risk of excluding other potentially relevant one.

Sensitive versions identifies more articles than the specific version. Some, however, may not be relevant. Use if more 'exhaustive' searching is required.

LARC search filter

The Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) search finds literature relating to methods of contraception that require administering less than once per cycle or month. This includes copper intrauterine devices and the progesterone-only LARC methods (intrauterine system, injectables and the implants).

Emergency contraception search filter

This search retrieves literature on medications or devices used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or after a recognised contraceptive failure.

Abortion and contraception search filter

An example of combining a search with your own topic of interest is the abortion and contraception search. This search shows how the broad contraception search can be combined with a more specific topic (abortion). This combined search identifies literature on the potential role of contraception education and family planning services in reducing the rate of abortion.