Birth control implant may tame sickle cell pain crises
NCT ID NCT05730205
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether a progestin contraceptive implant (Nexplanon) can reduce painful sickle cell crises and improve quality of life in women aged 18-45 with sickle cell disease. Twenty-two participants will use the implant for a period and report their pain episodes. The goal is to see if this hormone-based device can help manage the disease.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nexplanon (progestin implant)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to reduce painful sickle cell crises and improve daily life for women with the disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small study (22 people) with no placebo group, so results may not be reliable or apply to everyone. The implant may not reduce pain at all.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Penn Medicine University City
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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