BACKGROUND Unintended pregnancy remains a major challenge to the reproductive health of women especially in the developing countries. It is a major reason for unsafe abortion, a major contributor to maternal mortality. AIM This study was designed to assess the knowledge and practice of emergency contraception among female non-medical undergraduates. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In this cross sectio...

This open-label randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the efficacy of acupuncture and combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill in treating moderate-to-severe primary dysmenorrhea. Fifty-two participants were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture (n = 27) or COC (n = 25) for three menstrual cycles. Mefenamic acid was prescribed as a recue analgesic drug with both groups. Th...

OBJECTIVES To compare bleeding patterns for 12 months continuous use of a contraceptive ring [contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR)] and pill [combined oral contraceptive (COC)] on a menstrually signaled regimen and the effectiveness of 4 days "treatment withdrawal" to stop bleeding. STUDY DESIGN Women, 66 to each group, were randomized to continuous use of a CVR (15 mcg ethinyl estradiol/150 mcg ...

CONTEXT Migraine in the pill-free interval of combined oral contraceptives is reported by many women, but there is little published information on possible mechanisms and treatments. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the use of natural oestrogen patches affected the occurrence and severity of migraine during the pill-free interval. DESIGN A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, crossov...

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease. It affects the young adult female population and generates great impact on physical and mental health. One of the treatments with good results for affected women is combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs). The aim of this study was to determine the clinical effect of facial acne management with ethinylestradiol 20 µg/dienogest 2 mg in a cohort of...

BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) provide reliable and convenient contraception, although contraindications and tolerability issues may limit their use in some women. Progestogen-only pills (POPs) may be more suitable for some women, however, traditional POPs do not have the same contraceptive efficacy as COCs. A literature search was performed in order to assess th...

INTRODUCTION Dienogest (DNG) is an oral progestin, derivative of 19-nortestosterone, that has recently been introduced for the treatment of endometriosis. AREAS COVERED This review examines the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of DNG in the treatment of endometriosis. The material included in the current manuscript was searched and obtained via Medline, Pubmed and EMBASE, from incep...

BACKGROUND Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are widely advocated as treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea, but their efficacy has been questioned in a Cochrane review. The aim of this study was to evaluate COCs and the influence of age on the severity of dysmenorrhoea. METHODS Postal questionnaires regarding weight/height, contraception, pregnancy history and other reproductive health factor...

Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 2004: 30(4) Background The Royal College of Nursing first proposed that nurses should be able to prescribe the combined pill in 1975. It has taken almost 30 years for this idea to become reality. The authority to prescribe represents much more than the right to sign for a plan of treatment or care. It also signifies an ability to assess, d...

OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess the efficacy, cycle control and tolerability of a monophasic combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) and 17β-oestradiol (E2). Effects on acne were evaluated as a secondary objective. Results were compared to those of a COC containing drospirenone (DRSP) and ethinylestradiol (EE). METHODS Women (aged 18-50 years) w...