title: The combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing: an international study of user acceptability.
abstract: The acceptability of the combined contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing, was assessed during two trials conducted in North America and Europe. Women completed a questionnaire about the ring's clarity of instructions, ease of use, sexual comfort, cycle-related characteristics and satisfaction after 3, 6 and 13 cycles of use. A total of 1,950 women (82% of those recruited) completed a questionnaire at cycle 3. At baseline, 66% of participants preferred oral contraceptives, but after three cycles of ring use 81% preferred the ring. On study completion, 97% agreed that the instructions for use were clear; 85% of women and 71% of their partners never/rarely felt the ring during intercourse and 94% of partners never/rarely minded that the woman was using the ring. Overall acceptance was high, 96% were satisfied with the ring and 97% would recommend the ring. Similar responses were seen for women who prematurely discontinued from the studies, except that slightly fewer women were satisfied (60%) and would recommend the ring (75%). Reasons for liking the ring included 'not having to remember anything' (45%) and 'ease of use' (27%). In conclusion, there is a high level of user and partner acceptability for the contraceptive ring.
authors.affiliation: NV Organon, Molenstraat 110, 5340 BH Oss, The Netherlands. annoesjka.novak@organon.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Novák
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de la Loge
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abetz
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: van der Meulen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D017135:Desogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009656:North America; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; C044815:etonogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel