[Contraception in the hypertensive woman using a vaginal ring delivering estradiol and norgestrel]

A long term prospective study of contraceptive vaginal rings (CVR) that deliver estradiol and D-Norgestrel was conducted in 12 hypertensive women. Blood pressure was measured five times by an oscillometric automatic device during two control cycles, at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 9th to 12th cycle of CVR use, and again after a one month recovery period. No significant change in blood pressure was noted during CVR usage and this method of contraception appeared safe in hypertensive women. Plasma renin substrate and plasma antithrombin III were non affected by the treatment. These observations are in marked contrast with the dramatic increase and decrease in these proteins that are respectively observed during oral estroprogestative contraception; and confirm the utility of a way of hormone administration that bypass the liver. The significant decrease in sex binding protein, HDL cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides that were observed under CVR treatment could be interpreted as reflecting the androgenic potency of D-Norgestrel.