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Biography

Sam Rowlands developed an interest in contraception and abortion even before qualifying in medicine. He conducted one of the first clinical trails of emergency contraception while a research assistant at the Margaret Pyke Centre in London. He trained in general practice and he gained his MD while a GP in an English market town. Subsequently he switched to community sexual and reproductive health.

He has a special interest in contraceptive devices and their safety. He has also had an interest in abortion for many years; more recently he has focused on the regulation of non-surgical abortion methods, human rights and stigma.

He has experience of being a Module Leader and Dissertation Supervisor on an MSc at the University of Warwick. He has held several officer, editorial and committee chair appointments at the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare. He continues to be active as a peer reviewer of articles for a range of journals.

After frequently being called upon to give evidence for the civil courts he took an LLM...

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Research

Sam has edited a book entitled Abortion Care which was published by Cambridge University Press on 28 August 2014.

Co-Investigator Wellcome Trust Normative female Sexuality and Abortion Stigma: a feasibility study using Qualitative Secondary Analysis (SASS)

Favourites

Journal Articles

  • Cameron, S., Rowlands, S. and Gemzell-Danielsson, K., 2019. Self-assessment of success of early medical abortion using a self-performed urine pregnancy test. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 24 (4), 319-321.
  • Rowlands, S. and Walker, S., 2019. Reproductive control by others: Means, perpetrators and effects. BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health, 45 (1), 61-67.
  • Rowlands, S. and Wale, J., 2019. Sterilisations at delivery or after childbirth: Addressing continuing abuses in the consent process. Global Public Health.
  • Rowlands, S., 2018. Minimising iatrogenic nerve injury in primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 68 (674), 416.
  • Rowlands, S. and Amy, J.J., 2018. Non-consensual sterilization of women living with HIV. International Journal of STD and AIDS, 29 (9), 917-924.
  • Rowlands, S. and Amy, J.-J., 2018. Involuntary sterilisation: we still need to guard against it. BMJSRH.
  • Amy, J.J. and Rowlands, S., 2018. Legalised non-consensual sterilisation - eugenics put into practice before 1945, and the aftermath. Part 2: Europe. European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care.
  • Amy, J.J. and Rowlands, S., 2018. Legalised non-consensual sterilisation - eugenics put into practice before 1945, and the aftermath. Part 1: USA, Japan, Canada and Mexico. European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care.
  • Rowlands, S. and Amy, J.J., 2018. Sterilization of those with intellectual disability: Evolution from non-consensual interventions to strict safeguards. Journal of intellectual disabilities.
  • Rowlands, S. and Amy, J.J., 2018. Preserving the reproductive potential of transgender and intersex people. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 23 (1), 58-63.
  • Rowlands, S. and Ingham, R., 2017. Long-acting reversible contraception: conflicting perspectives of advocates and potential users. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 124 (10), 1474-1476.
  • Rowlands, S., 2017. Women's autonomy versus societal pressure to control fertility. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 124 (5), 824.
  • Rowlands, S. and Gemzell-Danielsson, K., 2017. Postabortion contraception. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 22 (2), 162-163.
  • Rowlands, S., Mansour, D. and Walling, M., 2017. Intravascular migration of contraceptive implants: two more cases. Contraception, 95, 211-214.
  • Lertxundi, R., Ibarrondo, O., Merki-Feld, G.S., Rey-Novoa, M., Rowlands, S. and Mar, J., 2016. Proposal to inform European institutions regarding the regulation of conscientious objection to abortion. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 21 (3), 198-200.
  • Searle, S., O'Brien, P. and Rowlands, S., 2016. Comment on "Who has a repeat abortion? Identifying women at risk of repeated terminations of pregnancy: analysis of routinely collected health care data': authors' response. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PLANNING AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, 42 (2), 157-158.
  • Rowlands, S., Hoggart, L., Belfield, T. and Raine, S.M., 2016. Comment on 'Who has a repeat abortion? Identifying women at risk of repeated terminations of pregnancy: Analysis of routinely collected health care data'. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 42 (2), 157.
  • Rowlands, S., Oloto, E. and Horwell, D.H., 2016. Intrauterine devices and risk of uterine perforation: current perspectives. Open Access Journal of Contraception, 7, 19-32.
  • Rowlands, S. and López-Arregui, E., 2016. How health services can improve access to abortion. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 21 (1), 1-3.
  • Rowlands, S., 2015. Abortion Law in Transnational Perspective: Cases and Controversies. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PLANNING AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, 41 (3), 204.
  • Rowlands, S., 2015. Every Third Woman in America: How Legal Abortion Transformed Our Nation. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PLANNING AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, 41 (2).
  • Rowlands, S., 2015. Abortion: A disunited Europe. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 41 (3), 164-167.
  • Rowlands, S., 2014. In Search of Common Ground on Abortion: From Culture War to Reproductive Justice. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PLANNING AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, 40 (4).
  • Rowlands, S. and Searle, S., 2014. Contraceptive implants: current perspectives. Open Access Journal of Contraception, 5, 73-84.
  • Rowlands, S., 2014. Serious adverse effects of umbilical cord transection prior to second-trimester D&E abortion. Contraception.
  • Rowlands, S., 2014. Conscientious objection and refusal to provide reproductive healthcare: A white paper examining prevalence, health consequences and policy responses. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 40 (2), 144.
  • Rowlands, S. and Raine, S.M., 2013. Dirty work. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 39 (4), 269.
  • Rowlands, S., 2013. Comment on 'The policing of abortion services in England': author's response. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 39 (4), 309.
  • Rowlands, S., 2013. Nerve injuries related to etonogestrel implant. Contraception, 88, 431.
  • Rowlands, S., 2013. The policing of abortion services in England. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 39 (2), 121-126.
  • Rowlands, S., 2012. Abortion pills: under whose control? J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 38 (2), 117-122.
  • Rowlands, S., Gemzell-Danielsson, K., Aubény, E. and Fiala, C., 2011. International Federation for Professionals in Abortion and Contraception (FIAPAC). J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 37 (4), 251-252.
  • Rowlands, S., 2011. Misinformation on abortion. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care, 16 (4), 233-240.
  • Rowlands, S., 2011. Learning disability and contraceptive decision-making. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 37 (3), 173-178.
  • Rowlands, S., 2010. Lost IUD penetrating bladder wall. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 36, 255.
  • Rowlands, S., 2010. Legal aspects of contraceptive implants. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 36, 243-248.
  • Rowlands, S., 2010. Social predictors of repeat adolescent pregnancy and focussed strategies. Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 24, 605-616.
  • Rowlands, S., Sujan, M.A. and Cooke, M., 2010. A risk management approach to the design of contraceptive implants. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 36 (4), 191-195.
  • Rowlands, S., 2010. Sharing personal information: How to decide whether to or not. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 36 (3), 161-165.
  • Rowlands, S. and Guthrie, K., 2009. Abortion and mental health. British Journal of Psychiatry, 195 (1), 83.
  • Rowlands, S., 2009. New technologies in contraception. BJOG, 116 (2), 230-239.
  • Rowlands, S., 2008. The decision to opt for abortion. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 34 (3), 175-180.
  • Rowlands, S., 2007. Contraception and abortion. J R Soc Med, 100 (10), 465-468.
  • Rowlands, S., 2007. More than one abortion. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 33 (3), 155-158.
  • Rowlands, S., 2006. The development of a nationwide central booking service for abortion. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care, 11 (3), 210-214.
  • Rowlands, S., 2006. Caring for women seeking abortion. Practitioner, 250 (1678), 15-23.
  • Rowlands, S., 2005. Medical induction method failing to cause fetal demise. J Obstet Gynaecol, 25 (5), 531.
  • Rowlands, S., 2003. The incidence of sterilisation in the UK. BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 110, 819-824.
  • Rowlands, S., 2003. Abortion and breast cancer risk. Br J Gen Pract, 53 (490), 408-409.
  • Rowlands, S., 2003. Newer progestogens. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 29, 13-16.
  • Rowlands, S. and Lawrenson, R., 2002. Emergency contraception in the community. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 28 (2), 94.
  • Rowlands, S., 2002. Counselling and consent in vasectomy. J R Soc Med, 95 (1), 56-57.
  • Rowlands, S., Devalia, H. and Lawrenson, R., 2001. Preferential prescribing of type of combined oral contraceptive pill by general practitioners to teenagers with acne. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care, 6 (1), 9-13.
  • Rowlands, S., Devalia, H. and Lawrenson, R., 2001. Use of the combined oral contraceptive pill by under 16s. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 27 (1), 17-19.
  • Rowlands, S., Devalia, H., Lawrenson, R., Logie, J. and Ineichen, B., 2000. Repeated use of hormonal emergency contraception by younger women in the UK. Br J Fam Plann, 26 (3), 138-143.
  • Rowlands, S., 1998. Contraceptive use in a rural general practice. J R Soc Med, 91 (6), 297-300.
  • Rowlands, S.C. and Dakin, L., 1998. Twelve years of injectable contraceptive use in a general practice. Br J Fam Plann, 23 (4), 133-134.
  • Rowlands, S. and Randall, S., 1997. Sexual medicine. Models of integrated sexual health services already exist. BMJ, 315 (7105), 429.
  • Rowlands, S. and Royston, P., 1994. Estimating time of delivery. Br J Gen Pract, 44 (381), 188.
  • Rowlands, S., Dakin, L. and Booth, M., 1993. Deregulating emergency contraception. Service should reflect greater demand after the weekend. BMJ, 307 (6912), 1143.
  • Rowlands, S. and Royston, P., 1993. Estimated date of delivery from last menstrual period and ultrasound scan: which is more accurate? Br J Gen Pract, 43 (373), 322-325.
  • Rowlands, S., 1993. Intrauterine contraceptive devices. Br J Gen Pract, 43 (369), 175.
  • Rowlands, S., 1991. Contrasting contraceptive needs. Practitioner, 235 (1508), 868-873.
  • Rowlands, S., 1991. Raising standards in family planning services. Br J Gen Pract, 41 (345), 138-139.
  • Rowlands, S., 1987. Pill-taking routine. Midwife Health Visit Community Nurse, 23 (12), 531-532.
  • Rowlands, S., Kubba, A.A., Guillebaud, J. and Bounds, W., 1986. A possible mechanism of action of danazol and an ethinylestradiol/norgestrel combination used as postcoital contraceptive agents. Contraception, 33 (6), 539-545.
  • Rowlands, S., 1985. Family planning: general practice and clinic services. J R Coll Gen Pract, 35 (273), 199-200.
  • Rowlands, S., 1983. Contraception today. Practitioner, 227 (1379), 747-755.
  • Rowlands, S., Booth, M. and Guillebaud, J., 1983. Behavioural patterns in women requesting postcoital contraception. J Biosoc Sci, 15 (2), 145-152.
  • Rowlands, S., Guillebaud, J., Bounds, W. and Booth, M., 1983. Side effects of danazol compared with an ethinyloestradiol/norgestrel combination when used for postcoital contraception. Contraception, 27 (1), 39-49.
  • Rowlands, S., 1982. Morning-after pills. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 285 (6338), 322-323.

Books

Chapters

  • Rowlands, S., 2015. Contraceptive devices for women: implants, intrauterine devices and other products. Medicines for women. Cham: Springer.
  • Rowlands, S., 2011. Contraception and sexual problems. In: Khot, A. and Polmear, A., eds. Practical General Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
  • Rowlands, S., 1999. Intrauterine contraception. In: Kubba, A., Sanfilippo, J.S. and Hampton, N., eds. Contraception and office gynecology. Bailliere Tindall.
  • Rowlands, S., 1993. Analysis of the family planning consultation. In: Montford, H., ed. Contraceptive Care. Hodder Arnold.

Invited Lectures

  • Parental authorisation of abortion. 13th FIAPAC Congress, Ljubljana, 3 October 2014
  • A global view of conscientious objection in abortion care. 13th Congress of the ESCRH, Lisbon, 30 May 2014
  • Self-adminstered medical abortion. First Global Conference of ESCRH, Copenhagen, 24 May 2013
  • Breast cancer. Sequelae of abortion: myths and facts. 10th FIAPAC Congress, Edinburgh, 21 October 2012
  • Postabortion care The first All-Ireland conference on abortion and clinical practice, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, 8 October 2010
  • Risk management in abortion care. 8th Congress of FIAPAC, Berlin, 24 October 2008
  • Is repeat abortion a problem? Future of abortion: controversies and care, BPAS, London, 26 June 2008
  • The role of abortion providers in contraception care. Mifepristone medical abortion: protecting, preserving and defending our gains, Gynuity Health Projects, New York, 8 June 2004
  • Emergency contraception: how do we spread the word? Association of Reproductive Health Professionals 30th Annual meeting "Reproductive Health '93: prevention in clinical practice", Orlando, Florida, 29 January 1993
  • Long-term effects of abortion: myths or fact? Seminar on Avoiding Unwanted Pregnancies, Zagreb, 29 May 2015
  • Types of abortion law. Seminar on Avoiding Unwanted Pregnancies, Zagreb, 30 May 2015
  • Impact of abortion law on providers, Royal College of Obstetricians & gynaecologists, 29 Oct 2015 more

External Responsibilities

Qualifications

  • MBBS in Medicine (University of London, 1974)
  • DRCOG in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 1976)
  • DCH in Paediatrics (Royal College of Physicians of England, 1978)
  • MD in Medicine (University of London, 1999)
  • FFSRH in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 2005)
  • FRCGP in General Practice (Royal College of General Practitioners, 2006)
  • LLM in Medical Law (University of Northumbria, 2009)
The data on this page was last updated at 04:09 on July 22, 2019.