Effects on cycle control and bodyweight of the combined contraceptive ring, NuvaRing, versus an oral contraceptive containing 30 microg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to compare cycle control, cycle-related characteristics and bodyweight effects of NuvaRing with those of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 30 microg of ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone.


METHODS
A randomized, multicentre, open-label trial in which 983 women were treated (intent-to-treat population) with NuvaRing or the COC for 13 cycles.


RESULTS
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting during cycles 2-13 was in general less frequent with NuvaRing than that with the COC (4.7-10.4%) and showed a statistically significant odds ratio of 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.46, 0.80) with longitudinal analysis. Intended bleeding was significantly better for all cycles with NuvaRing (55.2-68.5%) than that with the COC (35.6-56.6%) (P < 0.01). Changes from baseline in mean bodyweight and body composition parameters were relatively small for both groups with no notable between-group differences.


CONCLUSIONS
NuvaRing was associated with better cycle control than the COC, and there was no clinically relevant difference between the two groups in bodyweight.
Milsom
I
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. ian.milsom@obgyn.gu.se
Lete
I
I
Bjertnaes
A
A
Rokstad
K
K
Lindh
I
I
Gruber
C J
CJ
Birkhäuser
M H
MH
Aubeny
E
E
Knudsen
T
T
Bastianelli
C
C
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D010349:Patient Compliance
D000736:Androstenes; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004338:Drug Combinations; C516519:NuvaRing; C044815:etonogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel; C035144:drospirenone