title: Combined contraceptive ring versus combined oral contraceptive (30-μg ethinylestradiol and 3-mg drospirenone).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the adverse effects, cycle control, and metabolic effects of NuvaRing and a combined oral contraceptive (COC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Women seeking contraception received NuvaRing (n = 300) or a COC (n = 300) for 12 cycles in a randomized, open-label trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of women with adverse effects did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Leucorrhea, vaginitis, decreased libido, and ring-related problems were more common with NuvaRing, whereas weight increase, acne, and emotional lability were more common with the COC. Breakthrough bleeding occurred in 11.3% of women receiving NuvaRing and in 14.7% of women receiving the COC; 2.1% and 2.9% of women, respectively, had no withdrawal bleeding. Differences in blood pressure, blood sugar levels, lipid profile, liver enzyme activity, and anticoagulant activity were not statistically significant, with the exception of low-density lipoprotein levels measured at 6 and 12 months, which were significantly lower in the NuvaRing group than in the COC group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NuvaRing is a good alternative to a COC. It is associated with a slightly reduced incidence of breakthrough bleeding and there were no clinically relevant adverse effects or changes in blood pressure, blood sugar levels, lipid profile, or anticoagulant activity when compared with the COC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. prof.ahmedmaged@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ahmed M M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Wael S M
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: El-Sherbiny
authors.forename: Walaa A I
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Mostafa
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000139:chemically induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000139:chemically induced; D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000009:adverse effects; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007973:Leukorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008796:Metrorrhagia / Q000139:chemically induced; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C516519:NuvaRing; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel; C035144:drospirenone