Â鶹ŮÓÅ

Essure is a device comprised of two tiny coils made of nickel-titanium alloy. Scott's doctor inserted one into each of her fallopian tubes to permanently block them. Since Essure doesn't require surgery, he said it would be a lot easier, quicker and safer. ... Because of complaints, the FDA has asked a panel of outside experts to take another look at Essure during a public hearing on Thursday. (Stein, 9/21)

Fifteen years after its approval in the United States, the abortion pill mifepristone is used in nearly a quarter of all abortions, a proportion that has grown steadily even as the national abortion rate has fallen to a historic low. Federal data also show that mifepristone, brand name Mifeprex, has accelerated the shift toward early pregnancy terminations - before 10 weeks - when it is safest and has the greatest public acceptance. Maker Danco Laboratories says more than two million women have used its "early option pill." (McCullough, 9/20)