An open-label, multicentre trial to evaluate the vaginal bleeding pattern of the combined contraceptive vaginal ring NuvaRing.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this multicentre, non-controlled, open-label study is the evaluation of the bleeding patterns during the use of a vaginal combined contraceptive, its safety in relation to occurrence of adverse effects, its efficacy as a contraceptive method and user compliance.

STUDY DESIGN:

Healthy female volunteers (N=165), asking for contraception, were enrolled to participate in the study. Each subject was given seven vaginal rings, releasing an average amount of 120microg etonogestrel (ENG) and 15microg ethinylestradiol (EE) per day. Study period was 7 cycles. A total of 878 cycles was valid for statistical analysis. The primary parameter, (breakthrough bleeding and/or spotting), was recorded for each cycle. The subjects were asked to report any adverse effect experienced during the treatment period, general physical and gynaecological examinations were performed and haematological blood tests were taken.

RESULTS:

Breakthrough bleeding/spotting occurred in 5.01% cycles (44 out of 878 cycles, of whom 37 were breakthrough spotting only). Absence of withdrawal bleeding during the ring-free period was reported in 1.94% cycles (17 out of 878). Forty-one subjects (24.8%) reported 66 events that were potentially drug-related. The most frequently drug-related events were weight increase (10 cases), headache (9 cases), nausea (4 cases). No pregnancy was reported during the study period. Haematology and chemical chemistry tests showed no clinically significant abnormality.

CONCLUSIONS:

In the present study, NuvaRing has shown to be a valid contraceptive method to ensure optimal cycle control with low incidence of irregular bleeding and altered withdrawal bleeding. The low incidence of gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting) may be related the low hormonal dose and to the vaginal delivery of hormones which avoids the gastrointestinal tract.

• Authors: Vincenzina Bruni, Valentina Pontello, Stefano Luisi, Felice Petraglia
• Journal: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology (Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol) Vol. 139 Issue 1 Pg. 65-71 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 0301-2115 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 18358586 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
• Drug Combinations
• NuvaRing
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Desogestrel

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Contraceptive Devices, Female (adverse effects)
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined (adverse effects)
• Desogestrel (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Drug Combinations
• Ethinyl Estradiol (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Metrorrhagia (chemically induced)
• Middle Aged
• Patient Compliance