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- Beatrice A. Chen, MD, MPH
Beatrice A. Chen, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; Director of Family Planning, UPMC Magee‑Womens Hospital; Program Director, Fellowship in Complex Family Planning; Vice Chair, University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board
What I like to tell people is that a woman’s reproductive lifespan is wide… We need to have multiple types of contraception so people have options, so they can figure out what fits their needs at that specific time in their life.
Beatrice A. Chen, MD, MPH
Research in Brief
Dr. Chen leads efforts to empower women with safe, effective contraceptive options that suit their lifestyles and reproductive goals—even combining pregnancy prevention with HIV protection. By improving access and acceptability, especially in underserved communities, her work supports healthier families worldwide.
Current Projects
- Lead clinician-researcher in clinical trials developing new contraceptive methods and multipurpose prevention technologies that also prevent STDs, including HIV
- Member, Reproductive Bridges Coalition, working to expand access to reproductive health services in western PA
Selected Publications
- Thomas KN, Chen BA. Emerging contraception: understanding the latest options and tailoring methods to patient goals. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. Epub Apr 1 2025.
- Achilles SL, Kelly CW, Hoesley CJ, Blithe DL, Brown J, Richardson BA, Devlin B, Hendrix CW, Poloyac SM, Marzinke MA, Gundacker H, Singh D, Piper JM, Johnson S, Steytler J, Chen BA. Phase 1 randomized trials to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and vaginal bleeding associated with use of extended duration dapivirine and levonorgestrel vaginal rings. PLoS One. 2024;19(6):e0304552. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304552. eCollection 2024.
- Chen BA, Kimble T, Harris LH, Kerns JL, Olariu AI, Creinin MD. Levonorgestrel 52-mg Intrauterine Device Efficacy and Safety After More Than 8 Years of Use. Obstet Gynecol. 2023 May 1;141(5):1004-1006. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005147. Epub 2023 Apr 5.
- Ferguson GP, Achilles SL, Meyn LA, Krajewski CM, Chappell CA, Vinekar K, Chen BA. Dextromethorphan as a novel nonopioid adjunctive agent for pain control with medication abortion: A randomized controlled trial. Contraception. 2023 Feb;118:109908. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2022.10.010. Epub 2022 Nov 2.
- Chen BA, Zhang J, Gundacker HM, Hendrix CW, Hoesley CJ, Salata RA, Dezzutti CS, van der Straten A, Hall WB, Jacobson CE, Johnson S, McGowan I, Nel AM, Soto-Torres L, Marzinke MA. Phase 2a Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Acceptability of Dapivirine Vaginal Rings in US Postmenopausal Women. Clin Infect Dis. 2019 Mar 19;68(7):1144-1151. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciy654
- Chen BA, Reeves MF, Hayes JL, Hohmann HL, Perriera LK, Creinin MD. Postplacental or delayed insertion of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device after vaginal delivery: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Nov;116(5):1079-87. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181f73fac.
For additional publications, visit Dr. Chen's NCBI page.