Comparison of uterine concentrations of ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel after use of a contraceptive vaginal ring and an oral contraceptive.
OBJECTIVE
To compare uterine tissue concentrations of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and etonogestrel (ENG) after one cycle of use of a contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing; NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands) or a combined oral contraceptive (COC).


METHODS
Randomized, open-label, pharmacokinetic study.


METHODS
Obstetrics and gynecology unit.


METHODS
Eight premenopausal women about to undergo hysterectomy but otherwise healthy.


METHODS
One cycle (17-21 days) of NuvaRing or COC treatment that ended with surgical hysterectomy.


METHODS
Tissue concentrations of EE and ENG in uterine tissue samples taken from the upper myometrium and mid-myometrium, the cervical region, and the endometrium.


RESULTS
In both groups, concentrations of EE and ENG were similar in uterine tissue taken from the upper myometrium and mid-myometrium and the cervical region. However, compared with the COC group, concentrations of both hormones were markedly lower in tissue samples from the endometrium of women who had been treated with NuvaRing.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaginal administration of hormones with NuvaRing did not produce elevated uterine concentrations of EE and ENG, compared with an oral contraceptive.
Roumen
Frans J M E
FJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Atrium Medisch Centrum, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Dieben
Thom O M
TO
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014599:Uterus / Q000601:surgery
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004967:Estrogens; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; C044815:etonogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel