Use of etonogestrel subcutaneous implant in Sardinia, Italy: women’s compliance and satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose of the article

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.

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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

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.

SHORT CONDENSATION

Etonogestrel implant is a safe and effective, long-acting, reversible hormonal contraception (LARC). The majority of women in our study choose the etonogestrel implant for its characteristics; among the main side effects evaluated we reported spotting and headache. The majority of women recommended the etonogestrel implant to their friends as a contraceptive method.

摘要

文章目的

该研究的主要目的是分析使用依托孕烯植入剂的女性群体采取这种避孕措施的原因以及依从程度。

材料和方法

我们对在 6 年(2015-2021年)内放置依托孕烯皮下植入剂(第 47 期)的女性进行了一项回顾性研究。我们通过电话问卷向女性提交了一系列问题(范围为安置后 10-72个月, 平均 40 个月), 调查了与依托孕烯植入相关的合并症和副作用。

结果

依托孕烯植入剂放置的平均年龄为33.8 ± 3.45岁。就教育程度而言, 16/47(34%)的妇女拥有大学学位, 21/47(44%)拥有高中文凭, 10/47(21%)拥有中学文凭。12/47(25%)的妇女在咨询时没有工作, 只有8%的妇女在过去没有使用过除依托孕烯植入剂以外的避孕方法。92%的女性选择依托孕烯植入剂, 因为它提供安全、舒适和持久的避孕。在评估的主要副作用中, 我们报告的47例中有24例(51%)出现点滴出血, 4例(8.5%)出现头痛。85%的女性向她们的朋友推荐依托孕烯植入剂作为一种避孕方法, 并对植入剂进行了评价, 表达了从1到10的评分, 平均值为7.79, 中位数为8。

结论

我们的结果是有趣的, 因为它们来自意大利的一个地区, 在该地区长效可逆避孕(LARC)的使用率很低。依托孕烯植入剂是一种安全、有效、长效、可逆的激素避孕方法, 大多数女性向朋友推荐依托孕烯植入剂作为避孕方法。

概述

依托孕烯植入剂是一种安全、有效、长效、可逆的激素避孕方法。在我们的研究中, 大多数女性选择依托孕烯植入剂是因为它的特点;在评估的主要副作用中, 我们报告了点滴出血和头痛。大多数女性向她们的朋友推荐依托孕烯植入剂作为一种避孕方法。

Keywords:

• Hormonal contraception
• contraceptives implants
• long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC)
• nexplanon®
• etonogestrel (ENG)
• etonogestrel implant

Ethical approval

Our local Institutional Review Board approved the study.

Acknowledgements

PhD in Biochemical Sciences, address in Gender Medicine of the woman, of the man and of child, University of Sassari.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).