{"title":"Assessing the impact of hormonal contraceptive use on menstrual health among women of reproductive age - a systematic review.","authors":"Shayesteh Jahanfar, Julie Mortazavi, Amy Lapidow, Cassandra Cu, Jude Al Abosy, Hartman Ciana, Katherine Morris, Meredith Steinfeldt, Olivia Maurer, Jiang Bohang, Rajkumari Anjali Oberoi, Moazzam Ali","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2373143","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2373143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Contraceptive methods are well-established in their ability to prevent pregnancy and increase individual agency in childbearing. Evidence suggests that contraceptives can also be used to treat adverse conditions associated with menstruation, including abnormal and prolonged uterine bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, painful menstruation, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and premenstrual dysphoric disorders.This review investigates the effects of contraceptive techniques such as contraceptive pills, and long-acting reversible contraceptives (e.g. intrauterine devices, implants) on menstrual morbidity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Over ten databases with no geographical boundaries were searched from inception until October 2023. Study designs were one of the following types to be included: parallel or cluster randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before and after studies, interrupted time series studies, cohort or longitudinal analyses, regression discontinuity designs, and case-control studies. Ten team members screened the papers in pairs with a Kappa score of more than 7, and Covidence was used. Conflicts were resolved by discussion, and the full papers were divided among the reviewers to extract the data from eligible studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hormonal contraceptives are considered a well-tolerated, non-invasive, and clinically effective treatment for abnormal and prolonged uterine bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, painful menstruation, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and premenstrual dysphoric disorders. Our studies investigating quality of life or well-being in women with heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids have found improvements in all dimensions assessed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Hormonal contraceptives significantly reduce pain, symptom severity, and abnormal bleeding patterns associated with women who suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"193-223"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141617584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors affecting age at menopause and their relationship with ovarian reserve: a comprehensive review.","authors":"Antonio La Marca, Marialaura Diamanti","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2375281","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2375281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this article was to discuss all the factors affecting the age at menopause and their correlation with ovarian reserve.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A narrative review of original articles was performed using PubMed until December 2023. The following keywords were used to generate the list of citations: 'menopause', 'ovarian reserve' 'oocytes quality and quantity', 'ovarian ageing'.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Menopause is the final step in the process of ovarian ageing and is influenced by the oocyte pool at birth. Conditions that accelerate follicle depletion during the reproductive lifespan lead to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and premature ovarian failure (POF), while a higher ovarian reserve is associated with a delayed time to menopause. Reproductive history, sociodemographic, lifestyle and iatrogenic factors may impact ovarian reserve and the age at menopause.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Some factors affecting the age at menopause are modifiable and the risks of early menopause may be preventable. We hypothesise that by addressing these modifiable factors we may also preserve ovarian reserve. However, further interventional studies are needed to evaluate the effects of the described strategies on ovarian reserve.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"245-255"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141617585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michelle Cooper, Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Helena Kopp-Kallner, Oskari Heikinheimo, Sharon Cameron
{"title":"Postpartum contraception provision across Europe: preliminary findings from a multi country survey.","authors":"Michelle Cooper, Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Helena Kopp-Kallner, Oskari Heikinheimo, Sharon Cameron","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2383953","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2383953","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Looking after a baby and recovering from birth pose barriers to accessing and initiating effective contraception in the postpartum period. Another pregnancy at this time can end in abortion or a short interbirth interval. These are preventable if contraception is provided immediately from maternity settings. Our aim was to survey contraceptive experts across Europe about provision of postpartum contraception (PPC) in their country to develop a greater understanding of availability of and delivery of PPC services within the region.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Contraceptive experts across Europe were invited to participate in an anonymous mixed-methods online survey consisting of free text and fixed-response questions focusing on: (1) national guidelines/policy (2) antenatal contraceptive discussion and (3) immediate postpartum provision of methods. Respondents were asked to rate PPC provision in their region and detail perceived facilitators or barriers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Experts from 28 countries completed the survey. Fifteen (40%) reported their country had national guidelines for PPC provision, 40% reported that some antenatal contraceptive counselling was offered and 51% reported that contraceptive methods were provided in some (43%) or all (8%) maternity settings. Country-level PPC provision was reported as 'poor' or 'very poor' by 54% of respondents. Reported barriers to PPC provision included: cost, lack of policy/government support, awareness and training of maternity staff.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is significant variation in PPC provision across Europe. Few countries offer antenatal contraceptive counselling or provide contraception from maternity settings. Introduction of supportive PPC policies, funding and training for staff could improve outcomes for mothers and babies.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"239-244"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142019455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pharmacist recommendations for emergency contraception in Belgium: a simulated user study.","authors":"Gabrielle Vander Steen, Jeanne Ropers, Charlotte Rousseau, Aurélie Joris, Christine Gilles, Serge Rozenberg, Yannick Manigart","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2345114","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2345114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Emergency contraception reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy, after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. In Belgium, emergency contraception is available without a prescription and pharmacists play therefore a crucial role in dispensing emergency contraception.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study assesses the dispensing practices of emergency contraception by pharmacists in two regions of Belgium.</p><p><strong>Method and design: </strong>Simulated patient study, using a predefined scenario, evaluating a request for emergency contraception. The scenario involves a 25-year-old woman not using contraception, who had unprotected sexual intercourse 84 h (3.5 days) ago. Her last menstrual period was 10 days ago.</p><p><strong>Population: </strong>260 pharmacies were randomly selected. Principal outcome: proportion of pharmacists who deliver the adequate emergency contraception. We considered the following responses as adequate: Prescribing ulipristal acetate or redirecting to another pharmacy, in case of unavailability, or referring for a copper IUD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We analysed the data obtained in 216 pharmacies (216/260 = 83.1%). In 64% of cases, adequate dispensing of emergency contraception (dispensing of ulipristal acetate or referral for intrauterine device insertion) occurred. There was an association between correct dispensing and asking appropriate questions, such as the date of the last menstrual period and the date of the risky sexual intercourse.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>More than one-third of visited pharmacies did not distribute appropriate emergency contraception, underlining the need for improvement. We hypothesise that this may be achieved with appropriate training, use a dispensing checklist.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"177-181"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140892880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Priyanka Tiwari, Mala Srivastava, Rohini Sehgal, Sunesh Kumar, Angamuthu Selvapandiyan, Anupma Kumari, Jagdish C Gupta, Gursaran Parshad Talwar
{"title":"Prevention of nodules and enhancement of antibody response to genetically engineered recombinant vaccine against Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) for contraception.","authors":"Priyanka Tiwari, Mala Srivastava, Rohini Sehgal, Sunesh Kumar, Angamuthu Selvapandiyan, Anupma Kumari, Jagdish C Gupta, Gursaran Parshad Talwar","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2359127","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2359127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) plays a crucial role in embryo implantation and in maintenance of pregnancy. An immuno-contraceptive approach involves the use of a recombinant hCGβ-LTB vaccine formulated with adjuvant Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP), to prevent pregnancy without disturbing ovulation, hormonal profiles, and menstrual cycles in women. The present work in mice was designed to address issues encountered in clinical trials conducted with hCGβ-LTB vaccine, with focus on two primary concerns. Firstly, it aimed to determine the optimal vaccine dosage required to induce a high level of anti-hCG antibodies. Secondly, it aimed to assess the safety profile of the vaccine, specifically injection site reactions in the form of nodules, observed in some of the subjects.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>Studies undertaken indicate that a 2 µg dose of the protein version of the vaccine, administered in mice through the intramuscular route, can induce high anti-hCG titres. Furthermore, administering a booster dose enhances the antibody response. Our findings suggest that the concentration and frequency of administration of the adjuvant MIP can also be reduced without compromising vaccine efficacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The issue of nodule formation at the injection site can be mitigated either by administering the vaccine along with MIP intramuscularly or injecting hCG vaccine and MIP at separate intradermal sites. Thus, protein vaccine administered at a 2µg dose via the intramuscular route addresses both efficacy and safety concerns.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"182-187"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141433237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariana R M Canela, Luiz G O Brito, Agnaldo Lopes Silva-Filho, Luis Bahamondes, Cássia R T Juliato
{"title":"The personal experience of female obstetricians and gynaecologists with contraceptive use influences the guidance and prescription of contraceptive methods: a web-survey.","authors":"Mariana R M Canela, Luiz G O Brito, Agnaldo Lopes Silva-Filho, Luis Bahamondes, Cássia R T Juliato","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2349038","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2349038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the influence of the personal experience of female obstetricians and gynaecologists (Obst/Gyns) who utilise contraceptive methods on the provision of these methods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An anonymous online web-based survey was carried out with female Obst/Gyns. The instrument contained questions about their current and previous contraceptive methods use, factors that influenced the choice and satisfaction with the ongoing method, as well as the occurrence of adverse events. They were also asked whether the experience of any adverse events influenced their decision in prescribing any particular contraceptive method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>476/9000 (5.3%) female Obst/Gyns answered the survey. The most common contraceptive in use was the 52-mg levonorgestrel-intrauterine device (52-mg LNG-IUD) (34%), followed by non-Long-Acting Reversible Contraception hormonal methods (21.2%). More than half of the respondents (57.6%) reported having some adverse effects and 18.7% reported that the personal experience of an adverse effect with the use of a contraceptive method influenced the prescription of that method.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Half of female Obst/Gyns encountered adverse events linked to contraceptive usage. Additionally, almost one-fifth believe that their own encounter with adverse effects from a contraceptive method impacts their decision to prescribe the same method.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"145-149"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141176722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tiana J McMann, Michael R Haupt, Nicolette Le, Marielle E Meurice, Jiawei Li, Raphael E Cuomo, Tim K Mackey
{"title":"Abortion pill marketing and sourcing on twitter following Dobbs v. Jackson supreme court ruling.","authors":"Tiana J McMann, Michael R Haupt, Nicolette Le, Marielle E Meurice, Jiawei Li, Raphael E Cuomo, Tim K Mackey","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2354868","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2354868","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examines abortion-related discourse on Twitter (X) pre-and post-Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>We used a custom data collection tool to collect tweets directly from Twitter using abortion-related keywords. We used the BERTopic language model and examined the top 30 retweeted and top 30 textually similar tweets from relevant topic clusters using an inductive coding approach. We also conducted statistical testing to assess potential associations between abortion themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>166,799 unique tweets were collected from December 2020-December 2022. 464 unique tweets were coded for abortion-related themes with 154 identified as relevant. Of these, 66 tweets marketed abortion pills, 17 tweets were identified as offering consultations, and 91 tweets were relevant to self-managed abortion. All marketing and consultation tweets were posted post-Dobbs decision and 7 (7.69%) of self-managed tweets were posted pre-Dobbs versus 84 (92.30%) posted post-Dobbs. A positive association was found between tweets offering a medical consultation with tweets marketing abortion pills and discussing self-managed abortion.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study detected online marketing of abortion pills, consultations and discussions about self-managed abortion following the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling. These results provide more context to the type of abortion-related information that is available online.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"139-144"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141082850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maurizio Guida, Luciano Quercitelli, Pasquale De Franciscis, Mariano Fiorenza, Alice Sgandurra, Antonio La Marca, Giovanni Grandi
{"title":"The use of a pill containing ethinylestradiol-norgestimate improves female sexuality despite the decrease in circulating androgens: a pilot study.","authors":"Maurizio Guida, Luciano Quercitelli, Pasquale De Franciscis, Mariano Fiorenza, Alice Sgandurra, Antonio La Marca, Giovanni Grandi","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2369833","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2369833","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate the initial impact of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing norgestimate (NGM) on female sexuality and on circulating androgen levels in users.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Six months modification in the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) and testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) serum levels in women starting a monophasic pill containing ethinyl-estradiol (EE) 35 µg and NGM 0.250 mg.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study was completed by 36 subjects. There was a significant increase in MFSQ during treatment (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) (and its domains with the exclusion of vaginal lubrication domain) with concomitant decreases in T (-4.45%, <i>p</i> < 0.0001) and DHEAS (-19.41%, <i>p</i> < 0.0001) serum levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Contraception with EE/NGM was associated with a short term non-deteriorating effect on sexuality despite the evident decrease in androgen levels. Female sexuality during COC use is a complex topic and is not only linked with changes in serum androgen levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"160-162"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141472211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giampiero Capobianco, Elisa Sanna, Alessandra Gulotta, Giuseppe Virdis, Francesco Dessole, Ivana Maida, Massimo Madonia, Francesco Cudoni, Marco Petrillo
{"title":"Use of etonogestrel subcutaneous implant in Sardinia, Italy: women's compliance and satisfaction.","authors":"Giampiero Capobianco, Elisa Sanna, Alessandra Gulotta, Giuseppe Virdis, Francesco Dessole, Ivana Maida, Massimo Madonia, Francesco Cudoni, Marco Petrillo","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2354248","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2354248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of the article: </strong>The main aim of the study was to analyze the population of women who used etonogestrel implant, the reason that led them to this type of contraception, and the degree of compliance with it. Materials and methods: We carried out a retrospective study on women who had etonogestrel subcutaneous implant placed (n°47) over a 6-year period (2015-2021). We submitted the women a series of questions by telephone questionnaire (range 10-72 months after placements, mean 40 months) that investigated the comorbidities and side effects related to etonogestrel implant.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We carried out a retrospective study on women who had etonogestrel subcutaneous implant placed (n°47) over a 6-year period (2015-2021). We submitted the women a series of questions by telephone questionnaire (range 10-72 months after placements, mean 40 months) that investigated the comorbidities and side effects related to etonogestrel implant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average age of placement of etonogestrel implant was 33.8 ± 3.45 years. As regards level of education, 16/47 (34%) of the women had a university degree, 21/47 (44%) had a high school diploma and 10/47 (21%) had a secondary school diploma. The 12/47 (25%) of the women were, at the time of the counselling, unemployed and only 8% did not use in the past contraceptive methods other than etonogestrel implant. The 92% of women choose etonogestrel implant because it offered safe, comfortable and long-lasting contraception. Among the main side effects evaluated, we reported spotting in 24 out of 47 (51%), headache in 4 out of 47 (8.5%). The 85% of the women recommended etonogestrel implant to their friends as a contraceptive method, with an approval rating for the implant, expressed a rating from 1 to 10 with the mean that was 7.79, the median 8.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results are of interest because they derive from a region of Italy in which the Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) is strongly underused. Etonogestrel implant was a safe and effective, long-acting, reversible hormonal contraception (LARC) and majority of women recommended the etonogestrel implant to their friends as a contraceptive method.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"171-176"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141089145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gautier Chene, Pia Akl, Ana Gjorgjievska-Delov, Emanuele Cerruto, Stephanie Moret, Erdogan Nohuz
{"title":"Nonpalpable implant removals at centre of experience in France: a cohort study.","authors":"Gautier Chene, Pia Akl, Ana Gjorgjievska-Delov, Emanuele Cerruto, Stephanie Moret, Erdogan Nohuz","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2349039","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2024.2349039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective(s): </strong>Management and localisation strategies to remove nonpalpable contraceptive implants may be difficult. We aimed to evaluate our imaging modalities to identify deep implant and patient outcomes related to removal.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>In this retrospective study, we reviewed all cases referred to our specialised centre for nonpalpable contraceptive implants from January 2018 to August 2022.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the cohort studied, 47 female subjects exhibited nonpalpable implants. The implant was nonpalpable for thirty-six patients (76,6%) immediately after the insertion whereas it was not palpable several months after the insertion for eleven patients (23.4%). Twelve patients (25.5%) had one or more failed removal attempts before referral.All 47 implants were successfully visualised <i>via</i> ultrasound in the upper arm: 40 implants (85.1%) were located in the subdermal tissue, 4 (8.5%) were intrafascial and 3 (6.4%) were intramuscular. Depth of the implant was 4.0 mm [1.7 - 12.0]. No clinical factors were statistically associated with differences in depth or location (subdermal vs subfascial). Removal procedures were mainly under local anaesthesia in 74.5% of cases in an outpatient setting. There were two Clavien-Dindo grade 1 complications (one case of cutaneous scar dehiscence and one transient postoperative neuropathic complaint in the upper arm resolved within 3 months under analgetics).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Identification of deep implants requires following the ultrasound modality protocol. Ultrasound detection makes easy and safe implant removal. Training programs for the insertion as well as for the removal of correct and incorrect inserted implants should be continued and developed all around the world.</p>","PeriodicalId":50491,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care","volume":" ","pages":"163-170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141176719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}