Teresa Bombas, Manuela Farris, Sharon T Cameron, Cristian Furau, M Banovic, José C Quílez Conde, Ana Mitrovic Jovanovic, Kristina Gemzell Danielsson, Berna Dilbaz, Giovanni Grandi, Amália Pacheco, Ali Kubba, Johannes Bitzer
{"title":"POSITION PAPER ON Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Belgrade, 2026.","authors":"Teresa Bombas, Manuela Farris, Sharon T Cameron, Cristian Furau, M Banovic, José C Quílez Conde, Ana Mitrovic Jovanovic, Kristina Gemzell Danielsson, Berna Dilbaz, Giovanni Grandi, Amália Pacheco, Ali Kubba, Johannes Bitzer","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2702472","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2026.2702472","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This position paper, issued by the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESCRH) following its 18th Congress in Belgrade (2026), articulates a comprehensive, evidence-based and rights-centred stance on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Drawing on landmark international frameworks - including the Guttmacher-Lancet Commission, the WHO Action Plan for Sexual and Reproductive Health, the FIGO Cartagena Declaration, and the Porto Proclamation - the Society affirms ten core positions covering contraception, safe abortion, sexuality education, STI/HIV prevention, prevention of reproductive tract cancers, gender-based violence and female genital mutilation, and the needs of marginalised populations including adolescents, LGBTQIA+ individuals, migrants, people with disabilities, sex workers and older adults. The paper documents persistent inequities in contraceptive and abortion access across Europe, calls for evidence-based policy free from ideological interference, and outlines concrete recommendations for governments, health systems, the scientific community, and civil society. Endorsed by recognized international scientific societies, this position paper calls for urgent, coordinated action to guarantee universal SRHR.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148672045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katherine Ann Reimão Miller, Giovanna Cristina de Castro Martin, Ana Clara Pimenta Servidoni, Priscila Luiza Dos Santos, Maria Julia Lemos, Hellen Pereira, Hanna Surmann, Ana Paula Beck
{"title":"Comparative effectiveness of misoprostol plus letrozole versus misoprostol alone for pharmacological abortion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Katherine Ann Reimão Miller, Giovanna Cristina de Castro Martin, Ana Clara Pimenta Servidoni, Priscila Luiza Dos Santos, Maria Julia Lemos, Hellen Pereira, Hanna Surmann, Ana Paula Beck","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2636802","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2636802","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To compare the effectiveness of vaginal or oral misoprostol combined with letrozole versus misoprostol alone for medical abortion and medical management of miscarriage, assessing complete abortion rate, time-to-abortion, haemoglobin decline, and side effects.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251165732). PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Clinical Trials were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing letrozole plus misoprostol versus misoprostol alone. Analyses were conducted in Review Manager, dichotomous outcomes (complete abortion, side effects) were expressed as risk ratios (RR) and continuous outcomes (time-to-abortion, haemoglobin decline) as mean differences (MD), with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a random-effect model. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB2, and certainty with GRADE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve RCTs (1,524 women) were included. Letrozole pre-treatment increased complete abortion rates (RR = 1.45; 95% CI 1.25-1.68; <i>p</i> < 0.00001; I<sup>2</sup>=73%), reduced time-to-abortion (MD = -5.47h; 95% CI -8.68 to -2.26; <i>p</i> = 0.0008; I<sup>2</sup>=99%), and minimised haemoglobin decline (MD = +0.26 g/dL;95% CI 0.13-0.39;<i>p</i> < 0.001;I<sup>2</sup>=0%). Side effects were comparable (RR = 1.04; 95% CI 0.88-1.23;<i>p</i> = 0.67;I<sup>2</sup>=57%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Letrozole pre-treatment improves medical abortion efficacy, without raising side effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"320-335"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147346234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Josué Jara, Claudio Alba, Leónides Fernández, Rodrigo Orozco Fernández, Ana López Carrasco, Ignacio Brunel García, José Carlos Vilches Jiménez, Antonio Buño-Soto, Pedro-Antonio Regidor, Rocío Gutiérrez, Beatriz Lázcoz, Juan M Rodríguez, Belén Orgaz
{"title":"Probiotic supplementation improves quality of life and modulates oestradiol in women with endometriosis: a randomised double-blind pilot trial.","authors":"Josué Jara, Claudio Alba, Leónides Fernández, Rodrigo Orozco Fernández, Ana López Carrasco, Ignacio Brunel García, José Carlos Vilches Jiménez, Antonio Buño-Soto, Pedro-Antonio Regidor, Rocío Gutiérrez, Beatriz Lázcoz, Juan M Rodríguez, Belén Orgaz","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2644896","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2644896","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Endometriosis is a chronic, oestrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder affecting up to 10% of reproductive-age women, associated with pelvic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Emerging evidence implicates the vaginal microbiome and oestrogen metabolism in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic role of the oral administration of <i>Ligilactobacillus salivarius</i> CECT 30632, a probiotic with demonstrated ability to metabolise oestrogens <i>in vitro</i>, to improve the quality of life in women with endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>We conducted a pilot, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessing its effects, alongside standard dienogest treatment, in 37 women with endometriosis. Outcomes included changes in the vaginal microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing), in the immunological markers, in serum oestradiol levels, and in the quality-of-life of participants assessed with the EHP-30 questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Vaginal microbial diversity remained unchanged between groups; however, ∼20% of participants exhibited individualised microbiota shifts, including transitions to <i>Lactobacillus</i>-dominated profiles. In the immunological markers, the IL-10 levels decreased in 65% of probiotic supplemented participants (<i>p</i> = 0.042). Serum oestradiol levels were significantly reduced (∼50%) in the probiotic group (<i>p</i> = 0.013). The probiotic supplementation was associated with significant improvements in pain, emotional well-being, and perceived self-control (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Daily oral intake of <i>L. salivarius</i> CECT 30632 was associated with changes in circulating oestradiol levels and improvements in the quality of life in women with endometriosis. These preliminary findings support further powered trials to confirm efficacy and clarify underlying mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"288-302"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147523835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on fertility, contraception, and pregnancy: clinical perspectives.","authors":"Berna Dilbaz, Çağlayan Ateş","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2644895","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2644895","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This debate paper aims to examine the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), whose use in obesity and diabetes management has rapidly expanded, on fertility, contraceptive efficacy, and pregnancy outcomes in reproductive-aged individuals, and to provide evidence-based clinical guidance.</p><p><strong>Main arguments/evidence: </strong>GLP-1 RAs improve fertility in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through weight reduction and enhanced insulin sensitivity, meta-analyses demonstrated significantly higher spontaneous pregnancy rates. However, gastrointestinal side effects may theoretically compromise the absorption of oral contraceptives. Animal studies indicate potential foetal risks, and limited human data support discontinuation before conception with appropriate washout periods (2-4 weeks for short-acting agents, 8 weeks for semaglutide and tirzepatide). In men, metabolic improvements may indirectly enhance reproductive parameters. From a contraceptive perspective, non-oral hormonal methods and long-acting reversible contraception may represent more reliable options during treatment, particularly in the presence of gastrointestinal side effects that could compromise oral drug absorption.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>GLP-1 RAs are valuable adjuncts in managing obesity-related infertility, particularly in patients with PCOS. Clinicians must counsel patients regarding contraceptive reliability during treatment, ensure adequate washout before attempting conception, and recognise that while fertility benefits are well documented, pregnancy safety data remain limited.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"237-244"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147489287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John J Reynolds-Wright, Nandaja Narayanan, Sharon T Cameron
{"title":"Measurement of pain during first trimester medical abortion: an exploratory qualitative study.","authors":"John J Reynolds-Wright, Nandaja Narayanan, Sharon T Cameron","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2663182","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2663182","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pain is a recognised side effect of medical abortion, however there is limited information on the experience and treatment of this pain. Qualitative data are needed to understand pain during medical abortion and how this pain might relate to measurement scales for clinical practice and research studies.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We conducted a single-centre exploratory qualitative study in Edinburgh UK, interviewing 32 patients who had undergone medical abortion at home at less than 12 weeks pregnant. We interviewed them two to six weeks after their abortion. We analysed data thematically using a framework approach and asked participants to share pain ratings on a series of different pains scales.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For most participants, the pain they experienced was more intense or prolonged than they felt the abortion service indicated it would be and would have preferred more detailed information in advance of the procedure. Use of analgesia was variable, as was response to analgesia when it was used correctly. Existing pain-rating scales, including numerical rating scales and descriptive Likert scales, did not clearly reflect the intensity of pain described in participants' accounts. An 11-point numerical rating scale with incorporation of verbal descriptors of intensity and temporality, was endorsed as a potential future approach.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Patients require more detailed descriptions of pain during medical abortion. Existing pain-rating scales inadequately capture divergent abortion-pain experiences and development of a new tool is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"312-319"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147849368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María Isabel Limia Pérez, José C Quílez Conde, Diana Lois Carbajo, Luis Juez González, Gabirel Bellón Barandica
{"title":"First report of linzagolix as bridge therapy for progesterone hypersensitivity, an ultra-rare disorder.","authors":"María Isabel Limia Pérez, José C Quílez Conde, Diana Lois Carbajo, Luis Juez González, Gabirel Bellón Barandica","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2666796","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2666796","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>We report the first use of linzagolix (Yselty<sup>®</sup>), an oral GnRH antagonist, to manage progesterone hypersensitivity, an ultra-rare disorder with fewer than 200 cases reported worldwide.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 23-year-old woman presented with severe cyclic luteal-phase symptoms from menarche: vulvar edoema, recurrent cystitis, fever (38-42 °C), urticaria, angioedema, and systemic inflammation. Diagnosis was confirmed by positive intradermal progesterone testing (1:10 dilution) and elevated IgE (1,010 IU/mL). Combined oral contraceptives were ineffective. Linzagolix 200 mg daily was started in May 2025 under exceptional approval granted by a government pharmaceutical inspector (off-label use), achieving partial symptom control. Progesterone desensitisation in July 2025 triggered an anaphylactic reaction (hypotension 80/40 mmHg, tachycardia 120 bpm). Anakinra (an IL-1 receptor antagonist) was subsequently added.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Linzagolix induced ovarian suppression and clinical improvement. Following anaphylaxis, combination therapy with linzagolix and anakinra achieved complete symptom resolution. Multidisciplinary collaboration enabled monitoring.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To our knowledge, this is the first use of linzagolix for progesterone hypersensitivity, suggesting GnRH antagonists may serve as bridge therapy. Multi-disciplinary care proved essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"308-311"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147795578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giovanni Grandi, Marta Barretta, Mattia Iaccheri, Jacques Berthold Evens Versailles, Antonio La Marca
{"title":"Perimenopausal hot flashes do not depend on crude circulating oestradiol levels: further evidences from women treated with oral GnRH antagonists combination therapy for symptomatic fibroids.","authors":"Giovanni Grandi, Marta Barretta, Mattia Iaccheri, Jacques Berthold Evens Versailles, Antonio La Marca","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2659158","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2659158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Some perimenopausal women treated for fibroid-related bleeding may already experience hot flashes.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this pilot case series, we evaluated the effect of relugolix combination therapy (relugolix 40 mg + oestradiol 1 mg + norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg) on hot flashes and endocrine parameters in seven perimenopausal women.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All women reported a marked improvement (visual analogue scale: 8.6 ± 1.0) of hot flashes, while treatment significantly suppressed FSH (<i>p</i> = 0.004), LH (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and oestradiol (<i>p</i> = 0.002) serum levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These preliminary findings indicate that hot flashes improvement may not depend on crude circulating oestradiol levels in perimenopausal women, but probably on their stabilisation with the oral GnRH antagonist addition.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"303-307"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147701765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of antenatal contraceptive education and other factors on uptake of long-acting reversible contraception in postpartum women in Hong Kong.","authors":"H K Chung, Rebecca S F Wan, Raymond H W Li","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2025.2600580","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2025.2600580","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the impact of antenatal contraceptive education and identify other factors influencing the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) during the postpartum period.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>This prospective questionnaire study compared women who were provided with contraceptive education during their antenatal visits to those who received routine antenatal care without specific address to contraceptive education. Contraception education were delivered through written leaflets, videos and posters during antenatal visits. Questionnaires were distributed to evaluate attitudes and contraceptive planning. Follow-up calls were conducted three-to-six months postpartum to collect data on contraception uptake. Outcomes were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multivariate logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>1,153 women were recruited in the study. Enhanced antenatal contraceptive education did not significantly affect postpartum uptake of LARC. Factors associated with higher LARC uptake included higher gravidity and prior use of LARC. Convenience and high effectiveness were the reasons for choosing LARC.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found that our LARC uptake rate in the postpartum period remained low and was not significantly improved by antenatal contraceptive education in the model studied. Our postpartum contraceptive education strategies need to be reviewed, but the most effective means remains to be explored.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"261-274"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145937394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Beyond dietary habits: ultra-processed food consumption reveals the association with HPV infection in U.S. women.","authors":"Mengmeng Ye, Haochan Wu, Fangfang Shan, Hui Zhou, Jinjin Yu, Zhaoxia Zhong, Yibo Wu, Ping Ren","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2653971","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2653971","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer, yet the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and HPV infection remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analysed 7,555 women aged 18-59 years from NHANES 2003-2016. UPF intake was estimated from 24-hour dietary recalls and expressed as a percentage of total energy using the NOVA classification. HPV status was determined by genotyping self-collected vaginal swabs. Weighted logistic regression, restricted cubic spline models, and subgroup analyses were applied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>3,154 women (39%) were HPV-positive. Higher UPF intake was associated with greater odds of overall HPV infection per interquartile range increase (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.07-1.32) and across quartiles (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.04-1.53; P for trend = 0.004). Spline analyses showed a positive linear association. UPF intake was not associated with a clear dose-response relationship with HR-HPV, although subgroup differences were noted.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Higher UPF intake was positively associated with HPV infections among U.S. women, suggesting a potential role of diet quality in HPV-related outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"245-256"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147795199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Basappa Veerabhadraiah Basavaraj, Keerthana S Kunchakuri, Shwetha Krishnamurthy
{"title":"Computational modeling and experimental validation for developed non-hormonal <i>in-situ</i> reversible cervical contraceptive plugs.","authors":"Basappa Veerabhadraiah Basavaraj, Keerthana S Kunchakuri, Shwetha Krishnamurthy","doi":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2625131","DOIUrl":"10.1080/13625187.2026.2625131","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Contraception remains crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies and managing population growth. Reported side effects and limitation associated with hormonal contraceptives have driven increased research towards non-hormonal contraceptive options.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study focused on formulating a novel, non-hormonal, <i>in-situ</i> reversible cervical plug containing spermicidal agents. The plug acts as a physical barrier blocking the sperm cells and combination of glibenclamide and nano-copper oxide (NCO) acts as a chemical spermicidal agent, instantly killing the sperm cells coming in contact. NCO was synthesised using a muffle furnace and characterised by particle size zeta potential. Surface morphology was studies using SEM and EDX.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The synthesised NCO had average particle sizes of 482.7 nm and revealed formation of regular polyhedral shapes in SEM images. Molecular docking showed superior binding affinity of glibenclamide (-9.8 kcal/mol) in comparison to nonoxynol-9. The cervical plug demonstrated rapid gelation within 3 min, sustained gel stability for 4 h, and 99% drug release in 16 min.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong><i>Ex-vivo</i> studies have confirmed sperm immobilisation and morphological changes. <i>In-vivo</i> studies achieved 100% contraception without mucosal irritation, and fertility was restored post study. Stability studies indicated robust formulation properties. The developed cervical plug offers a non-hormonal contraceptive option that is reversible, effective, and safe.</p>","PeriodicalId":520795,"journal":{"name":"The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception","volume":" ","pages":"275-287"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146169267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}