Perception of oral contraception - do women think differently from gynaecologists?

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the experience and satisfaction with contraceptives and use of Combined Oral Contraceptives (COC) by women and compare their perceptions with those of gynaecologists.

Methods: This was a multicentre survey study conducted in Portugal, during April and May, 2021 with women using contraceptives and gynaecologists. Online quantitative questionnaires were carried out.

Abortion: legislation and statistics in Europe.

The Parliamentary Assembly invited the member states of the Council of Europe to 'guarantee women's effective exercise of their right of access to a safe and legal abortion'. While abortion legislation and statistics give an impression of the legislative, cultural, and religious views of the societies and the socio-economic health of the female population, only one study conducted in 2011 looked into the current legislation and trends in terminations of pregnancy in the European Union. From January 2017 to December 2018, a group of experts, the authors of the present article, liaised with colleagues practising in 32 European countries to collect data on abortion legislation and statistics using three different questionnaires.

Ineffective Pregnancy Prevention During Adolescence: Assisting Healthcare Providers in Portugal With Individualized Risk Assessment.

In this study, we describe the relative contributions of and interactions between individual risk factors associated with ineffective pregnancy prevention among female adolescents in Portugal. Our sample consisted of 856 sexually experienced female adolescents (10-19 years) who did not intend to become pregnant. Of these, 379 were pregnant, and the residual (477) had never been pregnant.

Physician awareness regarding contraceptive counselling in women with chronic disease.

Introduction: Contraceptive counselling is essential in women with chronic disease, though it is frequently overlooked. We aimed to assess practices and awareness in contraceptive counselling in hospital physicians caring for reproductive age women with chronic disease.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed in April 2017 to physicians from 16 medical specialties in a tertiary care hospital in Portugal.

Menstrual pattern and contraceptive choices of Portuguese athletes.

Objectives: Menstrual symptoms are commonly cited barriers to physical activity in women. Delay or avoidance of menstruation through hormonal contraceptives may mitigate those barriers. Our purpose is to identify the uterine bleeding patterns of Portuguese athletes, their contraceptive choices and the impact of contraceptive methods in sports performance.

Management of very early medical abortion-An international survey among providers.

Objective: To record the definition and management of Very Early Medical Abortion (VEMA) in different countries.

Study Design: An Internet survey was circulated internationally among providers of medical abortion via a website. The questionnaire focused on reasons for performing or delaying medical abortion at a very early gestational age and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of VEMA.

Management of pain associated with up-to-9-weeks medical termination of pregnancy (MToP) using mifepristone-misoprostol regimens: expert consensus based on a systematic literature review.

Evidence-based guidelines on the management of pain associated with first-trimester medical abortion are lacking. Most published clinical trials have failed to report on this important aspect of the procedure. The aim of this comprehensive work was to provide clinical advice based on a comprehensive literature review, supplemented by the clinical experience of a group of European experts in case no evidence is available.

Pain management for up to 9 weeks medical abortion - An international survey among abortion providers.

Objectives: although some degree of pain is inevitable with first trimester medical abortion, little information is available regarding its management in daily practice. The aim of the work was to determine the current regimens in use for managing pain associated with medical abortion.

Study Design: a self-administered internet survey, developed by a group of European experts on medical abortion, was circulated internationally among medical abortion providers.

Sociodemographic, sexual, reproductive and relationship characteristics of adolescents having an abortion in Portugal: a homogeneous or a heterogeneous group?

Objectives: The aims of the study were to describe the sociodemographic, sexual, reproductive and relational characteristics of adolescents having an abortion in Portugal and to explore the differences between three adolescent age groups.

Methods: We recruited a nationally representative sample of 224 adolescents (<16 years, n =  18; 16-17 years, n =  103; 18-19 years, n =  103) who had an abortion. Data were collected from 16 health care services that provide abortion.

Instability of misoprostol tablets stored outside the blister: a potential serious concern for clinical outcome in medical abortion.

Introduction: Misoprostol (Cytotec) is recognised to be effective for many gynaecological indications including termination of pregnancy, management of miscarriage and postpartum haemorrhage. Although not licensed for such indications, it has been used for these purposes by millions of women throughout the world. Misoprostol tablets are most often packaged as multiple tablets within an aluminium strip, each within an individual alveolus.

[Relational and reproductive trajectories leading to adolescent pregnancy in Portugal: a national and regional characterization].

Introduction: The current study aimed to describe the relational and reproductive trajectories leading to adolescent pregnancy in Portugal, and to explore whether there were differences in this process according to adolescents' place of residence.

Material And Methods: Data were collected between 2008 and 2013 in 42 public health services using a self-report questionnaire developed by the researchers. The sample consisted of a nationally representative group of pregnant adolescents (n = 459).

Pain during medical abortion, the impact of the regimen: a neglected issue? A review.

Objectives: To evaluate pain and other early adverse events associated with different regimens of medical abortion up to nine weeks of amenorrhoea.

Methods: The literature was searched for comparative studies of medical abortion using mifepristone followed by the prostaglandin analogue misoprostol. Publications, which included pain assessment were further analysed.

Knowledge-attitude-practice survey among Portuguese gynaecologists regarding combined hormonal contraceptives methods.

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices of Portuguese gynaecologists regarding combined hormonal contraceptives. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 303 gynaecologists. Results Ninety percent of the gynaecologists considered that deciding on contraceptive methods is a process wherein the woman has her say.

Impact of a women's counselling programme on combined hormonal contraception in Portugal--the IMAGINE Study.

Background: The aim of this health education project was to measure the impact of counselling about combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) methods on the subsequent choice of method by Portuguese women.

Method: This was a multi-centre study with a representative population, at the national and regional levels, of 2951 Portuguese women≥16 years of age visiting the gynaecologist. Counselling on available CHC methods was provided using a single leaflet, and their CHC choice was assessed before and after counselling.