Clinical experience with the combined contraceptive vaginal ring in Switzerland, including a subgroup analysis of previous hormonal contraceptive use

Abstract

Objective To collect data on cycle and cycle-related symptoms during a second clinical experience programme with the contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing®) in Switzerland.

Methods Women requiring contraception were recruited by gynaecologists. Questionnaires were used to collect data on cycle and related symptoms, weight, satisfaction and adverse events at baseline and follow-up (typically four cycles).

Results Of the 1053 women included, 36.9% were starters, 22.4% starters anew, and 40.6% switchers. At follow-up, improvement in cycle regularity was significantly better for starters compared with switchers (18.5% versus 11%; p < 0.001). Starters showed the greatest improvement in bleeding duration and severity. Improvement in the severity of premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and dysmenorrhoea was significantly (p  < 0.001) greater in starters compared with switchers (18.5% vs. 9.1% and 26.5% vs. 9.8%, respectively). Menstrual headache improved in all subgroups. Women were satisfied with changes in weight (92%), cycle control (93.6%) and PMS (86%). Adverse events were reported for 17.5% of women and were most frequently ring-related (such as feeling the ring in situ, vaginal discomfort, ring expulsion).

Conclusions The data support previous findings that the vaginal ring improves cycle-related symptoms (moderate or severe PMS, dysmenorrhoea, and menstrual headache). Not only starters experienced improvements in symptoms; switchers also benefited.

Keywords:

• Vaginal ring
• clinical experience
• PMS
• dysmenorrhoea
• menstrual headache
• satisfaction
• starter
• switcher

acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the participation of the gynaecologists involved in recruiting participants and gathering information. They are indebted to Dr Isabel Gruber (employee of Essex Chemie AG) for her assistance in revising the manuscript. The study was supported by Essex Chemie AG.

Declaration of interest: Dr Gabriele S. Merki-Feld has financial relationships (as a lecturer, member of advisory boards and/or consultant) with Schering-Plough/Organon and Bayer-Schering Pharma, AG. Dr Martin Hund was an employee of Schering-Plough/Organon until summer 2009.