title: The contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing) and hemostasis: a comparative study.
abstract: This open-label, nonrandomized study compared changes in hemostatic variables during NuvaRing and oral levonorgestrel 150 microg/ethinylestradiol 30 microg (LNG/EE) use for six cycles. Eighty-seven women started the study, 44 with NuvaRing and 43 with the LNG/EE oral contraceptive. For most procoagulation variables, there was no difference between NuvaRing and oral LNG/EE; only Factor VII levels increased in the NuvaRing group and decreased in the LNG/EE group. The majority of assessed variables show that anticoagulation and fibrinolytic activity was comparable between the NuvaRing and oral LNG/EE groups. Antithrombin activity and protein C activity both tended to be higher with NuvaRing. Levels of tissue plasminogen activator decreased in both groups but the reduction was smaller with NuvaRing. There were no significant differences in fibrin turnover between the treatment groups. The data show that both NuvaRing and oral LNG/EE are associated with a minimal effect on hemostatic variables.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali University Hospital, Landspítalinn, P.O. Box 10, IS-121, Reykjavik, Iceland. ebbamag@landspitali.is
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Magnusdóttir
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Bjarnadóttir
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Onundarson
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Gudmundsdóttir
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Geirsson
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Magnusdóttir
authors.forename: Th O M
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Dieben
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005167:Factor VII / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D005167:Factor VII