Progestin-only contraceptive implants provide long-acting, highly effective reversible contraception. We searched the medical publications in PubMed, CENTRAL, and EMBASE for relevant articles on hormonal implants published in English between 1990 and 2021. Levonorgestrel (LNG) 6-capsule subdermal implants represented the first effective system approved for reversible contraception. The etonogestrel (ENG) single rod dispositive has been widely employed in clinical practice, since it is a highly effective and safe contraceptive method. Abnormal menstrual bleeding is a common ENG side effect, representing the main reason for its premature discontinuation. Emerging evidence demonstrated that it is possible to extend the use of the ENG implant beyond the three-year period for which it is approved. The ENG implant could be an effective and discrete alternative to the IUD in young girls, such as post-partum/post-abortion. Implants should be inserted by trained skilled clinicians who previously provide adequate counselling about their contraceptive effect, benefits, and any possible adverse events. More studies are needed to validate the extended use of the ENG implant for up to 5 years.

Background—The first trimester combined test (FTCT) is an effective screening tool to estimate the risk of fetal aneuploidy. It is obtained by the combination of maternal age, ultrasound fetal nuchal translucency (NT) measurement, and the maternal serum markers free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A). However, conflicting data have been reported about the association of FTCT, β-hCG, or PAPP-A with the subsequent diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Research design and methods—2410 consecutive singleton pregnant women were retrospectively enrolled in Calabria, Southern Italy. All participants underwent examinations for FTCT at 11–13 weeks (plus 6 days) of gestation, and screening for GDM at 16–18 and/or 24–28 weeks of gestation, in accordance with current Italian guidelines and the International Association Diabetes Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) glycemic cut-offs. Data were examined by univariate and logistic regression analyses. Results—1814 (75.3%) pregnant women were normal glucose tolerant, while 596 (24.7%) were diagnosed with GDM. Spearman univariate analysis demonstrated a correlation between FTCT values and subsequent GDM diagnosis (ρ = 0.048, p = 0.018). The logistic regression analysis showed that women with a FTCT <1:10000 had a major GDM risk (p = 0.016), similar to women with a PAPP-A <1 multiple of the expected normal median (MoM, p = 0.014). Conversely, women with β-hCG ≥2.0 MoM had a reduced risk of GDM (p = 0.014). Conclusions—Our findings indicate that GDM susceptibility increases with fetal aneuploidy risk, and that FTCT and its related maternal serum parameters can be used as early predictors of GDM.

Status epilepticus (SE) in pregnancy represents a life-threatening medical emergency for both mother and fetus. Pregnancy-related pharmacokinetic modifications and the risks for fetus associated wi...

This study shows the effect of a 1 year treatment with an estradiol valerate/dienogest pill in 36 women suffering from polycystic ovaries and mild or moderate acne. At beginning of the study, 24 patients (66.7%) had grade 1–2 (mild) acne and 12 patients (33.3%) had grade 3 (moderate) acne. After 12 cycles of therapy, we found an improvement of acne in 19 (52.8%) patients and a worsening of acne in 3 (8.4%) patients. The percentage of patients recovered was statistically significant (p < 0.01). SHBG levels were significantly higher after 6 and 12 months of therapy (p < 0.001), while total testosterone levels were lower in all patients at 6 and 12 months although this trend did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the E2V/DNG pill could exert a positive influence on acne and hyperandrogenism. Since this is an observational study on a very limited population number, additional randomized controlled studies on larger populations are needed also to determine the effects of this contraceptive over longer periods of use.