This issue of Outlook looks primarily at vasectomy as a contraceptive option for men. A number of important topics related to this theme are addressed, including no-scalpel vasectomy, no-scalpel vs. conventional vasectomy, choosing vasectomy, cost, vasectomy in developing countries, possible side effects and complications, regret, reversibility, and other strategies for male contraception.

Despite an increase in demand and availability, access to contraceptive use remains a challenge to many due to a variety of barriers. For health care providers and counselors, providing the most up-to-date information concerning contraceptive choices is critical for ensuring clients are able to make the best decisions about their reproductive needs. This issue of Outlook addresses several topics related to contraceptive methods, including trends in contraceptive use, the underutilization of IUDs, the increase in options for contraceptive implants, combined oral contraceptives, and new options in hormonal contraception.

This issue of Outlook focuses on using behavior change communication (BCC) to encourage healthy individual and societal behaviors related to sexual and reproductive health. It also addresses the challenges and importance of monitoring and evaluating BCC programs.

International assistance for family planning has been shrinking at a time when many family planning programs in developing countries are experiencing shortages of supplies. This issue of Outlook discusses contraceptive supply security, including its critical components, the current status of funding, causes of contraceptive shortages, and challenges and promising approaches to achieving supply security.

This issue of Outlook provides new information about the female condom as presented at the September 2005 Global Consultation on the Female Condom. Topics include evidence of the female condom's effectiveness for prevention of STIs and pregnancy, issues related to expanding access and use, and gaps in the knowledge base. Successful program examples and a detailed table of female condoms currently available or under development are also presented.

This issue of Outlook discusses the emerging chronic disease burden in developing countries with a focus on cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and the risk factor of obesity. The newsletter addresses relationships between chronic diseases and reproductive health, such as hypertension and diabetes in pregnancy, and contraceptive choice for women with cardiovascular conditions and risk factors.

This issue of Outlook describes the latest research findings regarding whether there is a relationship between hormonal contraception and HIV acquisition, transmission, or progression. It also explores the effects of hormonal contraception on women living with HIV/AIDS and discusses how reproductive health programs can respond to emerging information.

This issue of Outlook looks at the role pharmacists and pharmacy staff play in providing health care services, particularly those related to reproductive health. The issue addresses a number of important topics related to this theme, including accessibility, pharmacists as primary health care providers, reproductive health needs, health care referrals, social marketing, training, building pharmacist capacity through innovative programs, pharmacists and youth, pharmacists and EC, and critical considerations.

This issue of Outlook provides evidence-based information on the emerging use of misoprostol in obstetrics and gynecology. It describes current research, regulatory issues, availability, and administration, as well as misoprostol's use during labor and delivery for labor induction and for prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. It also describes its use in inducing or managing abortion, including for treatment of incomplete abortion, preabortion cervical ripening, and pregnancy termination. Finally, it outlines safety issues and implications for research and practice.

This issue of Outlook provides the latest evidence-based information about cervical cancer prevention. It summarizes key issues related to transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV), new HPV vaccines, and strategies for introducing the vaccine in low-resource countries. This issue also identifies new methods for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

The 25^th anniversary issue of Outlook, made possible by support from UNFPA, presents innovative, evidence-based strategies and approaches for addressing unmet need for family planning in developing countries. The issue also reviews the link between family planning and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including improving maternal and child health, promoting gender equality, and combating HIV/AIDS. Addressing unmet need can help tackle some of the most intractable health and development challenges facing the world today.

Human rights and reproductive health advocates increasingly are working together to advance women's and men's well-being. This issue of Outlook discusses fundamental human rights principles and major developments; benefits of a rights-based approach to reproductive health; obligations and responsibilities at the international, national, health care system, and community levels; and how programs can implement a rights-based approach to reproductive health care.