Endothelial function, endothelin-1, and fibrinogen in young women using the vaginal contraceptive ring.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of the vaginal contraceptive ring cycle on indices of cardiovascular health and risk by studying healthy women during the active hormone phase compared with the ring-free phase of a standard 21/7-day cycle.


METHODS
Observational prospective cohort; 4 weeks' duration.


METHODS
Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon.


METHODS
Twenty healthy women.


METHODS
Endothelial function testing using standard flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery and sublingual nitroglycerin administration. All participants underwent venous blood collection.


METHODS
Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation of the brachial artery using Doppler ultrasound imaging. Baseline levels of high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, endothelin-1, and fibrinogen.


RESULTS
The active hormone phase of the vaginal ring cycle showed significantly higher vasodilation compared with the ring-free phase. The active hormone phase also showed increased fibrinogen levels compared with the ring-free phase. Low-density lipoprotein lipid levels also fluctuated and were significantly higher during the ring-free phase.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary study observations of improved endothelial function and lowered low-density lipoprotein levels during the active hormone phase versus the ring-free phase suggest that the vaginal contraceptive ring has beneficial effects on vascular health in women.
Torgrimson
Britta N
BN
Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA.
Meendering
Jessica R
JR
Miller
Nicole P
NP
Kaplan
Paul F
PF
Minson
Christopher T
CT
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
D019332:Endothelin-1; D005340:Fibrinogen