Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
06:51
Ovariectomy and 17β-estradiol Replacement in Rats and Mice: A Visual Demonstration
Published on: June 7, 2012
The contraceptive vaginal ring, NuvaRing(®), a decade after its introduction
Frans J M E Roumen1, Daniel R Mishell
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Atrium Medical Centre Parkstad, Heerlen, the Netherlands. f.roumen@atriummc.nl
Summary
The contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) offers comparable efficacy to combined oral contraceptives (COCs) but with improved cycle control and lower estrogenic exposure. Many women prefer the CVR after counseling.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Contraception
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) has been available for over a decade.
- Understanding its clinical performance relative to other hormonal contraceptives is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical experience with the CVR.
- Compare its efficacy, safety, and user satisfaction against combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and the patch.
Main Methods:
- Literature search focusing on CVR's efficacy, cycle control, safety, and user preference.
- Comparison with COCs and the patch, noting recent developments.
Main Results:
- CVR demonstrates similar contraceptive efficacy and metabolic effects to COCs, with steadier steroid levels and lower estrogenic exposure.
- Superior cycle control and equal or higher compliance rates were observed.
- While venous thrombosis reports are conflicting, local adverse events and expulsion (4-20%) are noted reasons for discontinuation.
Conclusions:
- The CVR is comparable to COCs in efficacy and metabolic effects but offers better cycle control and reduced estrogenic exposure.
- User acceptability is high, with many women preferring the CVR over pills or patches after counseling.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
01:22Birth Control Methods
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although vasectomy...
01:26Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems
Continuous-release drug delivery systems offer a strategic approach to maintaining therapeutic drug levels over extended periods following oral administration. By modulating the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients, these systems minimize fluctuations in plasma concentrations, which enhances clinical efficacy and reduces the need for frequent dosing. Such characteristics make them particularly advantageous in managing chronic diseases where patient adherence and stable drug...
01:11Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Delayed-Release Systems
Delayed-release drug delivery systems are specialized pharmaceutical formulations designed to postpone the release of active compounds until the drug reaches a specific region of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, typically the intestine. These systems are essential for drugs that may cause gastric irritation, are unstable in acidic environments, or need to exert therapeutic effects locally in the intestinal or colonic regions.The core feature of delayed-release systems is the use of enteric...
01:18Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) enable the controlled release of drugs across the skin into systemic circulation. They are particularly advantageous for drugs with short half-lives or narrow therapeutic indices, as they maintain consistent plasma concentrations and reduce the risk of subtherapeutic or toxic levels.TDDS are categorized into monolithic, reservoir, and mixed systems. Monolithic systems embed the drug in a polymer matrix, where diffusion governs release. Reservoir systems...
02:15The Contractile Ring
Contractile rings are composed of microfilaments and are responsible for separating the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Contractile ring assembly proceeds along with other cell cycle events; however, very few mechanistic details are known about the timing and coordination of the contractile rings with the cell cycle.
A small GTPase, RhoA, controls the function and assembly of the contractile ring. RhoA belongs to the Ras superfamily of proteins. The activation of formins by RhoA promotes...
A small GTPase, RhoA, controls the function and assembly of the contractile ring. RhoA belongs to the Ras superfamily of proteins. The activation of formins by RhoA promotes...