Clinical experience with NuvaRing in daily practice in Switzerland: cycle control and acceptability among women of all reproductive ages.

Author(s): Merki-Feld GS, Hund M

Affiliation(s): Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.

Publication date & source: 2007-09, Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care., 12(3):240-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVES: To assess clinical experience with NuvaRing in daily practice in Switzerland, including a large subgroup of young women (aged < or = 22 years). METHODS: Open, prospective, multicentre, observational clinical experience study to investigate cycle control, acceptability and usage of NuvaRing. RESULTS: Altogether, 2642 women participated in the programme and were included in the analysis, of which 658 were aged < or = 22 years (25% of the total group). A total of 744 women (28% of the total group) discontinued NuvaRing use; the main reason was adverse events (11% of all users). In younger women, there was a shift from moderate (-18%) and heavy (-45%) bleeding to mild bleeding (+71%) and dysmenorrhoea decreased by 60%, despite previous hormonal contraception use by 83% of women. Most women found ring insertion and removal to be straightforward (>95%), and were satisfied with its use (85%), primarily for the ring's once-a-month application (81%). Data were very similar for the total group. Cycle control and satisfaction were further improved with duration of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In daily practice, NuvaRing improved cycle control and was highly acceptable to women, including young women. Switchers from other hormonal methods also showed improved cycle control and high satisfaction.