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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
10:32
Transvaginal Mesh Insertion in the Ovine Model
Published on: July 27, 2017
Contraceptive vaginal rings
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3180, USA.
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
|December 1, 2001
Summary
Contraceptive vaginal rings (CVRs) offer a safe and effective alternative to oral contraceptives (OCs). These rings provide consistent hormone delivery, improving user convenience and bioavailability.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Drug delivery systems
Background:
- Contraceptive vaginal rings (CVRs) deliver sex steroids directly through the vaginal epithelium.
- This method bypasses the first-pass metabolism in the liver, unlike oral contraceptives (OCs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and user experience of contraceptive vaginal rings.
- To compare CVRs with oral contraceptives in terms of hormonal delivery and patient adherence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of large clinical trials involving progestin-only and combined estrogen-progestin CVRs.
- Assessment of efficacy, safety profiles, and continuation rates compared to OCs.
Main Results:
- Progestin-only CVRs demonstrated good efficacy and safety for 3-6 months of continuous use.
- Combined estrogen-progestin CVRs showed typical-use efficacy comparable to OCs with acceptable bleeding patterns.
Conclusions:
- CVRs offer advantages like constant serum steroid levels and improved bioavailability.
- Continuation rates for CVRs are similar to OCs, indicating user acceptance and convenience.
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