title: Bleeding patterns of women using extended regimens of the contraceptive vaginal ring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This prospective observational study evaluated the bleeding patterns of women using a vaginal ring releasing 120 microg of etonogestrel and 15 microg of ethinyl estradiol daily, over a continuous period of 84 days followed by 7 ring-free days.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 75 volunteers aged 18 to 37 years. Sixty-two (82.8%) recorded their menstrual cycles during 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the study, 85.5% had adequate menstrual patterns (two to four bleeding episodes, none lasting 10 days or more, with a range of bleeding-free intervals not exceeding 17 days), 9.7% had infrequent bleeding, 1.6% reported prolonged bleeding episodes, 1.6% had frequent bleeding and 1.6% had irregular bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only 5 of the initial 75 patients discontinued the method due to bleeding. Among these 75 women, dissatisfaction with bleeding patterns was not a frequent reason given for discontinuation of the contraceptive vaginal ring.
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of São Paulo Federal University (UNIFESP), CEP 09090-050 São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Augusto
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Barreiros
authors.forename: Cristina Aparecida Falbo
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Guazzelli
authors.forename: Fábio Fernando
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: de Araújo
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barbosa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004967:Estrogens; C044815:etonogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel