title: Progesterone vaginal ring: introducing a contraceptive to meet the needs of breastfeeding women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 2012 London Summit on Family Planning called for innovative solutions for increasing contraceptive access for 120 million women and girls by 2020. One way of contributing to this goal is to address the contraceptive needs of postpartum women, who have considerable unmet need especially during lactation. The progesterone vaginal ring (PVR) has been shown to be effective and safe for breastfeeding women and has the potential to enhance contraceptive choice. This user-controlled method reduces dependence on health care providers and has the potential to reduce some access-related barriers that users face. Postpartum women who have used the method have found it easy to use and find it acceptable. A well-designed introductory approach is important to ensure that the PVR is integrated into health systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PVR is a new technology that increases contraceptive options for breastfeeding women and has the potential to improve the health of women and their infants. Careful planning with attention paid to numerous factors can result in its successful introduction.
authors.affiliation: Population Council, New York, NY 10017, USA. Electronic address: sramarao@popcouncil.org.
authors.forename: Saumya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: RamaRao
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Merkatz
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sussman
authors.forename: Régine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sitruk-Ware
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016656:Family Planning Policy; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D062307:Medical Device Legislation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone